Senators baseball recap: Carson drops in playoff bracket with 4-1 loss to Galena
Submitted by editor on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 8:44pm
The weather peaked at the perfect time for a season-changing first round matchup in Galena between the Carson Senators and Galena Grizzlies. Both teams looked prepared for a duel on the mound, as pitchers Bryce Moyle (Carson) and Nick Brown (Galena) faced off with hopes of bringing their teams to victory.
The Senator bats swung early during the top of the first inning, as they had runners in scoring position early in the game. But Brown struck down any chance of a Carson lead to keep the game scoreless.
Galena soon broke the scoreless tide in the bottom of the first inning, as Niko Pezonella smacked a 2 RBI single that put the Grizzlies with the lead early. Tremendous defense from third baseman Abel Carter and center fielder Jesse Lopez kept the game afloat at 2-0 to conclude the first inning.
Brandon Gagnon’s RBI single cut the Carson deficit to just 1 run in the second inning, making the score 2-1 heading into the top of the third inning.
Both pitchers came as advertised during the third inning. Shortstop Jace Keema and Abel Carter patrolled the bases at first and third, while Brown turned up the intensity. He got out of a messy situation in a hurry with a strikeout and groundout to end the top of the third inning. Moyle had a quick 1,2,3 bottom of the third inning of his own to make quite the pitcher’s duel.
The action resumed during the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Grizzlies’ offense tacked on another run from the legs of Austin Crofoot who advanced to home plate. After a quick inning by Brown, Galena remained in control with a 3-1 lead.
Andrew West’s home run in the bottom of the fifth inning put the Grizzlies in the driver’s seat for the rest of the game as Galena kept adding to the score, 4-1 heading into the final two innings of play.
Carson’s struggles at the plate continued, as another quick 1,2,3 inning for Brown put more pressure on the Senator defense. After a long five innings, Moyle was relieved of his duties with 2 outs in the sixth inning. Kyle Glannzman came in as relief.
Carson failed to capitalize on any offense in the sixth and seventh innings. The Senators now drop to the lower bracket of the 2016-17 NIAA 4A Northern Baseball Playoffs after the 4-1 loss to Galena.
Postgame, head coach Brian Manoukian described the major adjustments needed to get through the lower bracket.
“When we get our opportunities to score we need to execute at the plate with runs instead of hits," Manoukian said. "And that is how you advance; we pitched well today and had good defense. But we did not hit enough to stay with them and teams aren’t going to stand there and not swing the bat in the playoffs. So we need to do a better job of getting guys across the dish next game.”
Kellen McDermott also spoke about the morale of the team and how to bounce back from the tough loss.
“We are all kind of a little hurt from our first playoff loss. But we are all fired up to play our next game and get on track," said McDermott. "We need to stay back on the ball, and drive the ball while staying out of our own heads. If we do that, we will be all right.”
For Galena, Nick Brown pitched the full seven innings, giving up just 1 earned run on 6 hits and 0 walks, while striking out 5 batters. Niko Penzonella added a single and 2 RBI’s, Andrew West went 1 for 3 with a home run. Mateo Lemus and Cole Demosthenes each had 2 hits, Tom Lichty had 2 hits including a double. Austin Crofoot added 1 hit as well.
For Carson, Bryce Moyle pitched a full 5 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks, also adding 6 strikeouts. Brandon Gagnon went 1 for 3 with an RBI single. Jesse Lopez, Abel Carter, Jace Keema, and Luke Myers each had 1 single. Jared Barnard added a double.
Although the path is much harder, there is still a chance the Senators can battle through the lower bracket. Carson will play their next game Wednesday, May 10, 5 p.m. at Ron McNutt field in Carson City.
