Senators building toward next tier

Carson High baseball is still looking to build its way into a contender this spring.

The Senators sit at 1-5 through their first six games, which have been shifted and rearranged plenty due to weather.

So far, Aden McNabb has twirled a no-hitter in Carson’s lone win – a 2-0 victory over McQueen.

Carson High head coach Bryan Manoukian knows the road to success starts with making sure the Senators are locked in on a day-to-day basis.

“Coming off of last year’s season, it’s really just about being competitive,” said Manoukian. “The record reflected that. We just need to be way more mentally tough and compete.”

Weather has kept the Senators from practicing on their home field and Manoukian isn’t anticipating much play on the field until April, due to weather and scheduling.

Pitching rotation and fielding

Aden McNabb backed up his honorable mention all-region selection from last season by tossing a no-hitter in his second start of the spring.

The senior has struck out 12 over 10 innings of work this season and allowed one earned run.

Joining McNabb as a starter this season will be Tyler Palmer, who was also an honorable mention all-region selection last spring as a junior, as well as Marcus Montes.

After the top three, Manoukian said the Senators will have to piece together the bullpen.

“We need to find some guys who can navigate a lineup more than one and a half times,” Manoukian said. “We have pitchers who are position players … and you can’t run them into the ground.”

The Senators will be mixing and matching fielding positions depending on who is pitching.

Senior Decarlo Quintana has shown flashes on the mound, but has enough defensive prowess to see a majority of time in the outfield and at first base.

Fellow senior Cooper Eaton has held down third base through six games.

“He’s still feeling the position out, but he has gotten a lot better recently,” said Manoukian. “(Quintana) has played the best infield position by far right now.”

Up the middle, Carson fans can expect to see some shifting as well, but Jeremy Hernandez has been penciled in at shortstop through the first six games.

Second base will continue to revolve until the Senator coaching staff finds a fit they like. Senior Quentin Beck and junior Keagan Ferris have been the two names at second thus far, with Beck also seeing time in the outfield.

“Quentin is pretty versatile. He hasn’t played outfield in a while, but he can. So, that allows us to open up second base and gives us flexibility and options,” said Manoukian. “Nothing is set in stone in game six or seven.”

Joining Beck and Quintana in the outfield will be Kaleb Morgan, Tanner Bohemier and Montes.

Like Montes, Bohemier will see time on the mound.

Parker Maldonado may be featured in outfield, but Manoukian says he prefers the senior at designated hitter. Maldonado has six RBIs in six games.

(Decarlo Quintana lifts a ball during a non-league contest at Bishop Manogue on Thursday. Quintana is expected to play a significant role on the Senator baseball team this spring. / Carter Eckl)

Around the region

After a 4-26-1 record last spring, Carson is looking to take a step up into the next tier of teams in the Class 5A North.

Reno and Bishop Manogue are the early season favorites, but Manoukian is never shy to admit that anything is possible on any given day.

Douglas, Spanish Springs, Galena and Damonte Ranch will all present challenges as well for the Senators this season.

Varsity roster

Quentin Beck, Sr.; Demarcus Brewster, So.; Marcus Montes, Jr.; Keagan Ferris, Sr.; Decarlo Quintana, Sr.; Kameron Reed, Jr.; Caleb Morgan, Sr.; Jeremy Hernandez, Jr.; Parker Maldonado, Sr.; Jack Kleppe, Jr.; Noah Silverberg, Jr.; Cooper Eaton, Sr.; Tanner Bohemier, Jr.; Jordan Sieben, Jr.; Tyler LaFollette, So.; Aden McNabb, Sr.; Tyler Palmer, Sr.; Malakye Brooks, Jr.