Early surge too much for Jays

The Carson High Blue Jays got themselves into an early hole, and were unable to dig themselves out of it.

The Reno Athletics scored three times in the first two innings en route to a 7-3 win over the Blue Jays Monday night at Ron McNutt Field.

The game was originally scheduled for Manogue, but the field turf being installed at Manogue isn’t quite ready, so the teams swapped sites. Manogue is having field turf installed on its infield and in foul territory between the bases lines.

Carson dropped to 4-6 with the loss. The Blue Jays host Douglas at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“Bad defense set the tone for the game,” Carson coach Bryan Manoukian said. “It’s hard to overcome that. Our offense is generated by our defense and pitching.

“This team is different from last year’s team. We don’t have the power. We have a lot of contact hitters. And, when you fall behind early like we did, you can’t play small ball. Their pitchers did a good job of keeping us off balance.”

Carson managed just six hits off lefty Casey Trosclair and right-handed sidearmer Ben Rawlins. The duo combined for nine strikeouts, four looking.

The A’s struck for two in the first off starter/loser Josiah Pongasi. Web Charles singled home Anthony Galati, who had walked and stole second. Connor Brewster singled and Conner Noland was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Conner Nelson singled home Charles with the second run. Brandon Vial followed with a flyball to right, and Nelson threw out Brewster, who had tagged up and was trying to score.

Reno made it 3-0 in the second thanks to singles by Galati and two errors.

The A’s stretched the lead to 5-0 on run-scoring single by Galati and a throwing error by Kyle Krebs, who tried to pick Galatti off third.

Meanwhile Carson’s offense struggled mightily, managing just six baserunners in the first four innings. Carson did load the bases in the third on a single by Cody Azevedo, a hit batsman and walk to Pongasi. However, Bryce Moyle was retired to end the inning.

The Blue Jays finally scored in the fifth, slicing the deficit to 5-2, thanks to hits by Connor Leahy and Azevedo, an error and a couple of infield outs.

Jace Keema, who relieved Pongasi, was unable to locate in the sixth.

After Lucas Howard doubled, Keema walked three straight to force home a run to make it 6-2. Noland’s infield out off Azevedo drove in the A’s final run.

The Blue Jays made it interesting in the seventh.

After one out, Azevedo walked and was forced at second by Connor Pradere. Pongasi moved Pradere up a base with a single. Moyle followed with what should have been a game-ending groundball to second. The ball was booted, allowing Pradere to score. Jessie Lopez lined to first to end the game.

“We have another game in 48 hours, and they get a chance to redeem themselves,” Manoukian said. “It’s baseball.”

On Sunday, Carson lost an 8-7 thriller to the Reno Knights. Carson outhit the Reno High squad, 15-12, but fell behind 7-2 after six innings.

Pradere led the offense, going 5-for-5, all singles. Brandon Allen went 3-for-5 with four RBI and Pongasi went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Terek Been also contributed two hits.