The Carbon Dinos baseball season came to an end at the hands of Juan Diego on May 13 with a 5-2 loss. The Dinos put together an impressive season going 19-7 overall with an 11-1 Region 12 record, earning them the division championship and the No. 2 spot in the RPI.
Going into next season, the Dinos are losing eight seniors off of this year’s squad, Carbon coach Rob Smith was a guest recently on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports and had this to say about the out going class as well as the players that are coming up.
“They’re a great group of kids, I don’t know if you could really say replace them. Those are big shoes to fill, but there are great younger kids and they are pushing hard, and they are going to try and replace them, hopefully they can, hopefully they can step in and fill those shoes, but there is a great group of kids coming up, and they are pushing like it’s championship or bust, and that’s the mindset.”
March 10-11- St. George Tournament record 2-2
The Carbon Dinos opened the 2023 baseball campaign with a four-game road trip in St. George Friday and Saturday.
Splitting each of the two double-headers the Dinos finished 2-2 on the weekend. The two day trek was the team’s first live action under first year manager Rob Smith.
“I felt like we played really well for the first time being outside,” said Smith. “We had opportunities to win all four games, we just didn’t come through when we needed to. We left too many runners in scoring position and that’s something we need to fix.”
Carbon opened the four game trip with an offensive explosion, topping Green Canyon 12-2 Friday afternoon.
The Dinos plated 10 runs in the first three innings, offering plenty of run support for starting pitcher Maizen Prichard. After allowing two runs in the first frame, the Dinos blanked Green Canyon the rest of the way to preserve the win in five innings.
Prichard ended with a solid stat line, allowing just two earned runs on one hit and three walks. Keeping Green Canyon off balance, Prichard fanned eight batters in four innings of work. Sophomore Stockton Kennedy logged the final three outs, striking out one in a perfect fifth inning.
Senior Ridge Nelson ended a perfect 4-4 in the box, ending a home run shy of the cycle, as he produced four RBIs off two singles, a double and triple. Fellow senior Quade Henrie went 3-3 with two RBIs, while Chet Anderson and Bradley both finished with two hits.
The second game of the double-header played out differently for the Dinos as they were unable to sustain a fast start in a 9-4 loss to the Juab Wasps.
Carbon scored three runs in the top half of the first inning but surrendered the lead in the bottom half as Juab posted four runs. The game remained a one score game until the Wasps pulled away with five runs between the third and fourth innings.
Henrie was hit with the loss on the mound as he surrendered three earned runs in three innings on the mound. Maddex Willson finished off the final two innings as he allowed one hit and four runs, none of which were earned.
The Dinos struggled to get the bats rolling in the first loss of the season. Held to just four hits, Prichard was the lone Carbon slugger to record multiple hits as he finished 2-3 with one RBI. Anderson, Nelson and Colton Lowe all finished one hit to round out the offensive production.
Carbon responded with a win Saturday afternoon, holding off a late Cyprus run to earn a 7-6 win.
The Dinos once again started hot at the plate taking a 2-0 lead after the first inning. Carbon extended the lead to 4-0 entering the fourth. Cyprus scored in each of the final three frames, including three runs in the sixth to get within striking distance but could not overcome the deficit.
Senior Wyatt Falk was sharp in his first outing of the season, pitching a scoreless four inning set with 10 strikeouts and just two hits. Kennedy and Peyton Molinar worked in relief for two innings giving up four earned runs and each earning one strike out.
Falk helped his own cause early as he sent a two-run home run over the center field wall to give the Dinos a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Falk later added a single as he ended 2-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs.
Cameron Vasquez and Prichard both gathered two singles a piece as Carbon gathered six hits as a team. The Dinos left seven runner on base as the bats were patient, registering six walks.
Unable to protect an early 6-1 lead, the weekend came to an end as Carbon suffered an 8-6 loss to the Desert Hills Thunder, giving the team a final record of 2-2 in St. George.
Leaving runners on base proved to be the difference in the weekend finale as the Dinos again left seven stranded. Despite the two run loss the team managed to out hit Desert Hills 9-7.
Ridge Nelson was charged with the loss as he pitched two innings in relief for starter Chet Anderson. Both pitchers gave up four earned runs and a total of seven hits in the loss.
“Pitching was great, I thought we struck out a ton of batters and didn’t let walks affect the outcome of the games,” said Smith. “I’m really excited about our pitching moving forward, because we have one of the deepest staffs in 3A.”
With the opening weekend now in the books the Dinos will shift focus to the potential home opener with the Manti Templars this Friday.
March 17- Manti- Win 10-0
The Dino baseball team has been a victim of the weather of late, but on Friday, things got back to normal, somewhat. Manti and Carbon were scheduled to play in Price, but due to field conditions, the game was moved to Emery High School. Carbon used a big fifth inning to put the Templars away 10-0.
The Dinos have had a rough time getting on their field in Price, as the weather has just not been cooperating. The Dinos traveled to St. George picking up a pair of wins over Green Canyon and Cyprus.
On Friday, both sides were quiet until Carbon got things going in the bottom of the third, Ridge Nelson would single to center driving in Peyton Molinar, two batters later with Wyatt Falk at the plate, Chet Anderson would score on a wild pitch to put Carbon up 2-0.
In the bottom of the fifth with the score 3-0, the Dinos bats came alive, and it all happened with two outs. Colton Lowe would score after Maizen Prichard hit a ground ball to the second baseman, to put the score at 4-0. In the next at-bat, Cameron Vasquez would single to center driving in Skyler Madden, Prichard would also score to put the Dinos up 6-0. After a pitching change would result in a pair of walks, Nelson would come up with the bases loaded, after taking a first-pitch strike, he would take the second one over the wall in left field for the Grand Slam, putting the game away for the Dinos 10-0.
Nelson had a huge day for the Dinos going 3-4 with a run and five RBI’s. Vasquez went 1-2 with a run and a pair of RBI’s,
On the mound, Prichard got the win for the Dinos, going four innings, allowing two hits, and striking out nine, Falk came in to close things out going one inning giving up one hit, and striking out two.
The next scheduled game, weather permitting, is set for Wednesday at Carbon High School, the first pitch is set for 3 p.m..
March 28 Grand- Triple header 3-0
The Carbon Dinos opened Region 12 play with a three-game sweep over the Grand Red Devils Tuesday afternoon in Moab.
“It was a long day, but the kids really battled,” said manager Rob Smith. “It was great to see them come out and battle even though there was a lot to focus on. Overall, we were really happy to win three league games.”
Playing a triple-header due to Friday’s weather forecast, Carbon never slowed offensively as the team accumulated 40 hits throughout the afternoon. The three wins improves the team’s overall record to 6-2, while becoming the first Region 12 squad to reach three division wins.
Carbon scored early and often, plating runs in five of the six innings to earn a dominating 20-2 victory in the series opener.
The Dinos gathered 19 hits as eight different players registered at least one RBI. The offensive explosion was led by Chet Anderson, who finished 3-6 with a triple, two runs and six RBIs.
A combination of patience and aggression helped the Dinos race out to an early lead. The team finished with 18 RBIs, but also notched nine walks. Only twice was a Carbon batter sat down on strikes.
Ridge Nelson continued his hot start to the season as he finished 3-6 with a triple and three RBIs. Wyatt Falk also brought in three runs as he ended 3-5 at the plate. The Carbon offense accounted for eight extra base hits in the largest win of the season.
Stockton Kennedy earned the win on the mound, while Camden Wilson worked in a relief role. The win is the first of the season for Kennedy who had his season ERA drop to 1.40.
The Dinos kept their bats warm in the second game of the double-header, starting fast and finishing strong in an 11-5 win.
Jumping out to an early 5-0 lead heading into the third inning, the Dinos watched their lead evaporate as Grand plated five runs between the third and fifth frames. Carbon responded well with a five run sixth inning to put the game out of reach.
Peyton Molinar earned the win on the mound as he pitched three solid innings, allowing one earned run and while striking out two. Maizen Prichard went four innings, giving up six hits and fanning seven.
Both Molinar and Prichard received excellent run support as the Dinos scored 11 runs on 11 hits. Michael Vigil finished 1-4 with a triple and a team best two RBIs. Anderson, Nelson and Wilson all finished with two hits and one RBI a piece.
The Dinos completed the triple-header sweep with an 8-3 win, ending a long day of baseball with a perfect start to the region season.
Carbon’s offense again delivered instant run support by scoring five runs in the first three innings of the game. Despite a three-run inning late by Grand, the Dinos never trailed as they moved to 6-2 overall on the season.
Wyatt Falk pitched five near perfect innings, surrendering just two hits and striking out nine batters. Ridge Nelson delivered two innings of relief work as he finished with three strikeouts and two earned runs on two hits.
Nelson was dynamic at the plate for the Dinos in the win as he posted three hits in four at bats, knocking a single, double and triple to go along with three RBIs. Colton Lowe went 2-4 with a double, triple and two RBIs. Falk helped his own cause with two RBIs on a 1-4 plate performance.
“I don’t think playing three league games in one day has ever happened and I don’t think we will ever do it again,” said Smith. “We are crunched right now for game times and getting to play because of the weather. Both teams thought this was the best way to go and it worked out well for us.”
The Dinos will now take the rest of the week off but will return next with two non-region games.
April 4- American Leadership- Win 14-4
The Carbon bats came alive early putting up six runs in the first two innings on Monday as the Dinos spent their first day of the Spring Break holiday on the diamond against American Leadership Academy, taking the win in five innings, 14-4.
The Dinos sit at 7-2 on the season compiling a 3-0 mark in Region 12 play. The game with American Leadership and the contest with West Lake on Wednesday are both non- region tilts.
Carbon got started in the bottom of the first when Ridge Nelson would score a run off of a failed pick-off attempt at third with one out. With two outs, Colton Lowe would score on a steal of home followed by a Michael Vigil triple, Maizen Prichard would single to center to bring Vigil in to make the score 3-0 after one.
In the bottom of the second Chet Anderson doubled to center scoring Camden Wilson. In the next at bat, Nelson sent a line drive to center driving in Peyton Molinar and Anderson, putting the score at 6-0.
Things went quiet for Carbon until the fourth, when they would blow the game wide open putting up eight runs to put the contest out of reach. after a lead-off walk Anderson would get sent home by a Nelson single to center, a Lowe double in the next at bat would allow Nelson to score. With the score 8-3, Wyatt Falk would send a single to right that scored Lowe from second. Prichard sent one to the short stop bring in Falk, to make the score 10-3 with just one out. Wilson, who also had a great day on the mound stepped up to the plate sending his second pitch to right bringing in Prichard. A Quade Henrie score off of a Molinar single pushed the score to 12-3, and the runs would keep coming in the next at bat, with a pair of strikes, Anderson got a hold of another and would reach on an error to the shortstop allowing Tyrus Madsen to score. With the score at 13-3 Nelson would fly out to right, giving Molinar just enough time to tag up and score to take the 14-3 lead. American Leadership was able to put one more up in the top of the fifth but with the Dinos up by ten, the game ended with the Dinos collecting the 14-4 win.
Vasquez and Wilson would both go 3-3 at the plate with Vasquez adding a run and Wilson registering an RBI and a run scored. Lowe was 2-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Nelson had a big day at the plate as well going 2-4 with four RBI’s and a pair of runs scored, Anderson went 1-3 with a pair of runs and RBI’s, and Prichard went 2-3 with a run.
Wilson was great on the mound for the Dinos gathering the win going 4.1 innings giving up seven hits and two earned and struck out two. Stockton Kennedy came in to get the final two outs for Carbon.
The Dinos are back on the diamond on Wednesday to face West Lake.
April 5- Westlake- Loss 10-4
Coming off a big win over American Leadership on Monday, the Dinos welcomed West Lake to Price Wednesday afternoon. The Westlake Thunder jumped put early and wouldn’t let the Dinos up for air, handing them a 10-4 loss.
The Dinos sit at 7-3 on the season with a 3-0 Region 12 mark. Westlake, is from Saratoga Springs, playing in the 6A classification with a 5-2 record.
The Thunder jumped out early taking a 3-1 lead in the top of the second. With one out Quade Henrie came to the plate for the Dinos sending a fly ball to right field earning a double and bringing Michael Vigil home, cutting it to 3-1.
Westlake put up four more runs in the top of the fourth, pushing the score back up to 8-1. the Carbon bats were quiet in the third and fourth innings, but in the fifth Peyton Molinar was able to score on an error by the second basemen, Carbon would go cold again in the sixth and in the seventh Ridge Nelson would single allowing Molinar to score again, and with one out after a pitching change by Westlake, Vigil came back up to the plate scoring Chet Anderson, putting the score at 10-4.
Anderson went 2-3 scoring one run. Molinar had a 1-2 day at the plate with a pair of runs scored, Nelson was 1-3 with an RBI, and Vigil and Henrie were both 1-4 with Vigil collecting a run and an RBI and Henrie registering an RBI.
Maizen Prichard took the loss on the mound going two innings giving up a hit and one earned run. Maddex Wilson put in two innings of work and surrendered four hits and four earned, and Molinar went three with four hits one earned and struck out one.
Carbon is now off until Tuesday the 11th, when they welcome Canyon View to Price for a double header. The first game is set for 2 p.m., with the second one set for 4.
The Dinos will travel to Cedar City on Thursday, the 13th, to close out the season series.
April 11- Canyon View- Double Header 2-0
It was a tale of two games as the Carbon Dinos grabbed a crucial double-header sweep over the Canyon View Falcons at home Tuesday afternoon.
A two-game set between the perceived top two teams in region-12 ended in Carbon’s favor. After squeaking out a slim 5-4 win in the first outing, the Dinos returned to the field and walked away with a dominating 11-2 win.
In the first game of the afternoon the Dinos found themselves faced with a 1-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the third. The offense erupted for five runs, giving starting pitcher Wyatt Falk a cushion from the mound. The Dinos remained in control until Canyon View slowly started chipping away.
After plating one run in the fifth, the Falcons scored twice in the top of the seventh. With the potential game tying run in scoring position, Carbon’s Stockton Kennedy worked in relief to record the final out and earn the save.
Falk pitched a gem for the Dinos as he allowed just six hits and two earned runs over 6.1 innings, displaying terrific command as he fanned five hitters.
Falk helped his own cause at the plate as he finished 1-3 with two RBIs and a run. Colton Lowe knocked a triple in a 1-3 effort, also bringing in two runs. As a team the Dinos gathered seven hits compared to Canyon View’s six.
The highly important second game of the double-header went in a completely different direction as Carbon finished the afternoon with a dominating 11-2 win.
Chet Anderson earned the win on the bump as it took just 81 pitches for him to record the complete game. Allowing seven hits, Anderson struck out one batter as he relied heavily on the defense behind him to notch putouts.
Jace Barlow followed a multi-hit game with a 2-3 performance, bringing in four runs and scoring once. Falk knocked two doubles as he ended 2-3 with an RBI. Anderson also recorded two hits and a walk in four at bats.
The two wins give Carbon a season series edge over the Falcons and a three-game lead at the top of the region standings. Holding a record of 9-3 overall on the season, Carbon is currently ranked No. 2 in the UHSAA RPI.
Carbon will have one more outing with Canyon View as the venue switches to Cedar City this Friday. The single game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
April 13- Canyon View- Loss-10-6
Plagued by errors, the Carbon Dinos suffered its first region loss of the season, falling to the Canyon View Falcons 10-6 Thursday afternoon in Cedar City.
Hoping to complete the season series sweep, the Dinos fell into a hole immediately as the Falcons scored two runs in the first inning. The deficit grew to eight as Canyon View scored six runs in the fourth frame, putting Carbon in a hole they could not climb out of.
Maizen Prichard was tagged with the loss on the mound after allowing six earned runs off four hits over three innings of work. Camden Wilson worked two innings of scoreless ball in relief, while Stockton Kennedy allowed one hit and no earned runs in a frame of work.
The group of Carbon pitchers allowed just five hits throughout the six innings. The difference in the game came from the field where the Dinos committed six errors.
Trailing 8-0 entering the fifth inning, Carbon managed to get within striking distance by scoring four runs. The Dinos scored their first run as Chet Anderson crossed home plate on a throwing error. Wyatt Falk hit a home run to center field on the ensuing at bat with two runners on.
With the lead trimmed to 8-4 the Carbon defensive struggles continued in the bottom half of the inning. An error following two walks and a base hit allowed Canyon View to extend the lead to 10-4, putting it out of reach.
Falk led the way for Carbon offensively as he ended 1-2 with a home run, three RBIs and two walks. Five other players gathered one hit a piece.
Thursday’s loss is the first setback for the Dinos inside region play. After sweeping the Grand Red Devils and earning two wins over Canyon View earlier in the week, Carbon had taken control of the division with a 5-0 record.
Carbon will now turn its focus to an incredibly important three game set with the Emery Spartans next week. The two teams will first meet in a double-header on Tuesday at Carbon High School beginning at 2:00 p.m. The season series will end Friday with one game at Emery High School at 4:00 p.m.
April 18- Emery- Double Header- 2-0
The Dinos and the Spartans met in Price on Tuesday for the first two games of the three game season series. In the first game Wyatt Falk was on the mound for the Dinos, and the Spartans could not find an answer, as the Dinos would take game one 10-0 in five innings. Game two was a little more competitive but Carbon earned a 12-5 win.
Emery holds an 11-10 record with a 5-6 Region 12 mark. The Spartans are one of four teams from the region in the top 10 of the state RPI at No.6.
Carbon is 11-4 with a 7-1 mark in league play, they also sit at No.2 in the RPI and their only region loss came at the hands of No. 3 Canyon View.
Game one really started out as a pitchers dual with Falk and Wade Stilson going back-and-forth, in fact it wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth when Carbon would truly take charge of the game.
With the score 0-0, and Colton Lowe at the plate, Ridge Nelson would score on a steal of home, and then with the first pitch Lowe sent one over the right field fence driving in Michael Vigil. Three batters later and with two outs, Peyton Molinar sent a fly ball to center that allowed Camden Wilson and Quade Henrie to score. a Chet Anderson triple to left field scored Molinar from first. With the score at 6-0, Nelson stepped up sending a double to center bringing in Anderson, and then Vigil would double to left bringing Nelson home. Falk came up next and helping his cause sent a grounder to left as Vigil would score. Wilson came up once again driving in Falk and putting the score at 10-0.
For the Spartans Mason Stilson was 1-2 from the plate and Wade Stilson had a 2-3 game.
On the mound for Emery Wade Stilson got the start and the loss going 3.2, giving up five hits, and three earned with four strike outs. Turner Stoker gave up four hits and three earned in the loss.
For Carbon, Nelson was 2-2 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI. Lowe was 1-1 with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored and Vigil and Molinar were both 1-2 at the plate. Vigil had a pair of runs scored and an RBI and Molinar had a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. All of the Dinos scoring came in the fourth inning.
Falk had a game on the mound for the Dinos, getting the complete game win in five innings, giving up three hits and striking out 13. Falk was one strike away from the “Immaculate Inning”. An immaculate inning occurs in baseball when a pitcher strikes out all three batters he faces in one inning using the minimum possible number of pitches: nine.
Coach Rob Smith joined KOAL after the game and had this to say about Falk. “Wyatt came out and threw awesome, did a great job. The umpire told me he did miss that call, so write it down as an immaculate inning for him.”
If game one was about Wyatt Falk, then game two was about Ridge Nelson. Nelson had a 4-5 performance at the plate with four RBI’s and three runs scored in the 12-5 victory.
Camden Wilson got the start on the mound for the Dinos and had to work through some adversity in the first after hitting three batters, Wilson gave up a single to Hayden Abrams that drove in Wade Stilson. Wilson would also walk in another run putting the first inning score at 2-0 for the Spartans. Nelson was the second batter up for the Dinos and he sent a fly ball over the center field wall driving in Anderson and tying the score at 2-2. Two batters later it was Falk’s turn to show off his offense with a single home run to left making the score 3-2.
In the bottom of the second, Nelson came up to the plate sending a single to left driving in Maizen Prichard and Molinar. Falk would come up sending a single to left bringing home Anderson and Nelson. With the bases loaded Emery pitcher Trevin Gilbert, with the bases loaded, would hit Henrie with a pitch walking in Vigil, putting the score at 8-2.
In the top of the fourth, Carbon would switch to Stockton Kennedy on the mound, and with a pair of outs Kennedy gave up a double to Gannon Ward who drove in Gilbert and Peyton Alton and the Spartans cut the Dinos lead in half at 8-4.
Carbon added two more in the fifth to push the lead to 11-4. Emery had one more chance to rally in the top of the seventh when with two outs Abrams would steal home, but that would do it for the Spartans as they were handed a 12-5 loss.
Ward went 1-3 for the Spartans with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored, Gilbert would also go 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss for Emery.
Turner Stoker got the start on the mound for Emery going just one inning giving up three hits, three earned runs and struck out one. Easton Nielson came in taking the loss giving up four earned on two hits . Gilbert and Abrams would also log time on the bump for the Spartans.
Wilson was on the hill for Carbon, and after the tough start in the first he settled in giving up two earned on two hits and struck out two in three innings of work. Kennedy came in to earn the win going four, giving up three hits, two earned and struck out five.
Offensively for the Dinos behind Nelson’s big day at the plate, Falk had a day at the plate as well going 4-5 with four RBI’s and a run scored. and Chet Anderson was 2-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI.
Carbon will face Alta on the road on Wednesday.
On Friday Emery will welcome Carbon to Castle Dale for the final meeting of the regular season.
Game time is set for 3:30.
April 19- Alta- Win- 14-2
The Dinos stepped out of Region 12 on Wednesday to head north and face Alta. Coming off a double header win over Emery, Carbon kept things going with a 14-2 victory.
Wyatt Falk had a tremendous day at the plate going 4-5 with six RBI’s and a pair of runs. Camden Wilson went 2-3 with a pair of RBI’s and a run, and Colton Lowe had a 2-4 day with one run scored.
On the mound for the Dinos, Quade Henrie got the start going four innings giving up one earned run on two hits while he struck out five. Maizen Prichard closed it out going one inning giving up one hit, one earned and struck out one.
April 21- Emery- Win- 5-2
Last Tuesday , Carbon and Emery played the first two of the season series in a double header in Price, Friday the venue would change to Castle Dale, however the outcome was the same with the Dinos taking the win and sweeping the season series with a 5-2 win.
Carbon (13-4, 8-1 in region, No.2 RPI), only has their three game series with Richfield left and then a non-region meeting with Union. The Dinos were just coming off a big win over Alta, 14-2.
Emery (11-11, 5-7 in region, No.6 RPI), has wrapped up the region portion of their schedule and has just a pair of games left against Uintah and No. 1 Juab.
The Dinos would jump out scoring all of their runs in the first three innings. In the first, with Trevin Gilbert on the mound for the Spartans, Wyatt Falk would ground out to shortstop Wade Stilson, giving Chet Anderson of Carbon the chance to cross home plate, putting the Dinos on the board first, 1-0. In The second, the Dinos Camden Wilson would send a fly ball over the fence in left field for a solo home run, later in the inning, Anderson doubled to left driving in Peyton Molinar pushing the score to 3-0.
In the top of the third, Michael Vigil singles to center and Colton Lowe would score. Later in the inning, with two outs Vigil would score on a wild pitch to put the score at 5-0.
Both teams were quiet in the fourth and then in the fifth, Wade Stilson would send a two run shot over the wall in center driving in Mason Stilson, putting the score at 5-2 and that was as close as the Spartans would get.
For Emery, Wade Stilson went 2-4, with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. Mason Stilson was 2-2, and he scored a run. Hayden Abrams and Sean Rogers both were 1-3 in the loss for the Spartans.
On the mound for Emery, Gilbert went 2.1 innings taking the loss giving up eight hits and five earned.
Anderson earned the win on the mound for the Dinos, putting in 6.2 innings of work, giving up five hits and struck out seven with two earned. Maizen Pritchard would come in and get the one out save.
Wilson went 2-4 with the home run, and an RBI. Anderson, helped his own cause, going 2-4 with an RBI, and Vigil went 1-3 with an RBI.
The Spartans will wrap up the regular season with a contest on Monday in Castle Dale against Uintah, game time is 3:30. They will close out the regular season on the road against No. 1 Juab on Thursday.
For the Dinos it’s a three game series with the Richfield Wildcats starting with a double header on Tuesday in Richfield and then the final home game of the season will be Friday for the series finale at 3:30. They will close out the regular season on Monday, May 1st, when they travel to Roosevelt to face Union.
April 25- Richfield- Double Header- 2-0
The Dino baseball squad traveled to Richfield for a Region 12 meeting with the Wildcats on Tuesday. Carbon was looking for a clean sweep in the double-header to secure the region title, and that’s exactly what they got with a 13-2 win in game one and a 9-5 win in game two.
Carbon has put together an impressive regular season. Going 15-4 overall with a 10-1 mark in league play. Sitting in the No. 2 spot in the RPI with just two games to go.
In game one against Richfield, the Dinos jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead by the third then things would go quiet until the fifth inning when Carbon went on to score eight runs in the fifth and sixth inning, none bigger than Colton Lowe’s two run shot that drove in Chet Anderson. Richfield went on to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth but Carbon held on to take the win in game one.
Camden Wilson went 2-2 in the game, earning a pair of runs and one RBI. Peyton Molinar went 2-2 with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. Anderson added three runs and Wyatt Falk collected three RBI’s.
Falk had a great day on the mound as well, getting the complete game win in six innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs and struck-out 12.
Game two was a little closer with Richfield even taking the lead for a short time, The Dinos used a big sixth inning, scoring five runs and pushed on to complete the two game sweep of the Wildcats.
The Dinos collected a pair of home runs from the bats of Ridge Nelson and Falk. Nelson was 2-4 with a pair of runs and a pair of RBI’s and Falk went 1-3 with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. Anderson went 2-4 with a pair of RBI’s in the win.
Stockton Kennedy went four innings on the mound giving up just one hit, an earned run and struck out 10. Wilson went surrendering three hits and striking out one.
Carbon will welcome Richfield to Price on Friday for Senior Day and the final region tilt of the season. Game time is set for 3:30.
The Dinos will go on the road Monday to close out the regular season in Roosevelt when they face Union.
April 28- Richfield- Win- 5-4
The regular season for Carbon baseball is coming to a close, and that means final home games for seniors. On Friday, the Dinos celebrated the senior players on their roster and in the process handed the Richfield Wildcats a 5-4 loss in their final home game of the season, earning a series sweep.
The Dinos sit at 16-4 overall and finished the region portion of their schedule at 11-1 earning the league title. They have one game remaining on Monday against Union.
The Wildcats put up one run in the top of the first, and the Dinos answered back with a pair in the bottom with a swing of the bat, senior Ridge Nelson sent one over the wall in left driving in fellow senior Chet Anderson. The Dinos went on to add one more in the bottom of the second and than held on to that lead until Richfield would add three more in the top of the sixth, taking the lead 4-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, with one out and Camden Wilson and Wyatt Falk on base, Michael Vigil came to the plate grounding out to the shortstop, but that allowed Falk to score giving the Dinos the 5-4 win.
Colton Lowe was 2-4 with a run and an RBI, Nelson and Anderson were both 1-3 with Nelson adding two RBI’s and a run scored while Anderson added one run.
On the mound Maizen Prichard got the start, going five giving up three hits, with one earned run and struck-out seven. Anderson put in some time on the mound surrendering a pair of hits and a pair of earned runs while he struck out one. Stockton Kennedy put in an innings worth of work giving up a hit and struck-out two.
The Dinos will be back on the field on Monday when they travel to Union to face Roosevelt.
May 1-Union- Loss- 6-1
The Carbon Dino baseball team has already locked up the Region 12 title and will more likely than not be hosting a pod site in the state playoffs when the final rankings come out on Wednesday. Monday they had one game left on the regular season schedule with Union, and unfortunately, they were unable to collect their 17th win of the season, falling 6-2.
The Dinos end their regular season 16-5 with an 11-1 mark in league play. On Wednesday the Utah High School Activities Association will release the final RPI rankings and the bracket for the 3A State Baseball Championships.
In the contest with Union, the Dinos couldn’t find any offense, only collecting a pair of runs in the third, and defensively they were sunk by a big third from Union, where they really put the game away, scoring five in the inning.
For the Dinos, Ridge Nelson had a 1-4 day at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Michael Vigil had an RBI and Chet Anderson earned a run.
Nelson got the start on the mound for Carbon going 2.2 and surrendering five hits an earned run and struck out four. Stockton Kennedy came in to go 3.1 with three strikeouts.
Wednesday with the bracket release, Carbon will know who, when, and where they will be playing. When the RPI was last visible Carbon held the No. 2 spot, and with the loss to Union, it shouldn’t do too much to that number.
If Carbon lands in the top four, they will host a pod site this weekend.
State Playoffs
Game 1- May 6- North Sanpete- Win- 16-1
Game 2- May 6- Grantsville- Win 9-0
Finishing the regular season in the No. 2 spot in the RPI, the Carbon Dinos were able to host a first round pod over the weekend, and made the most of it earning wins in both contests. In the first game they squared off with North Sanpete putting up 16 runs while holding them to just a single run on the board for the win in five innings. In game two they faced Grantsville, taking a 9-0 win.
The Dinos met up with the Hawks in their first game of the playoffs and jumped out early, capping a five run first inning with a Peyton Molinar single to center that scored Michael Vigil and Camden Wilson.
Moving into the third, the Dinos posted another seven runs as Colton Lowe collected two of his team high four RBI’s with a single to right driving in Chet Anderson and Ridge Nelson.
Maizen Prichard turned in a great performance on the mound getting the complete game win giving up four hits while striking out four.
Offensively, Lowe went 3-3 at the plate with four RBI’s and two runs scored and Molinar was also 3-3 with three RBI’s and a run scored.
Game two of the day would see the Dinos face off with the Grantsville Cowboys (17-8, No. 10), who earned their match-up by taking care of business against Ogden (17-6, No. 7), 9-0.
The Dinos showed their power in this one with four home runs, two from Nelson, and one each off the bats of Lowe and Vigil.
Carbon had balanced scoring putting up four runs in the first and another four in the second.
Defensively on the mound Wyatt Falk, who may be hitting his stride at the perfect time, got the complete game shutout surrendering one hit, that came in the form of a single in the sixth, and striking out 12 Cowboys along the way.
Nelson was 2-4 with a pair of runs and three RBI’s, Lowe went 2-3 with a pair of runs scored and a pair of RBI’s, Vigil was 1-3 with a run and a pair of RBI’s.
With the pair of wins Carbon now will shift its sights to Kearns High School where at 7 p.m. on Thursday they will face the No.3 Canyon View Falcons. The Falcons are the only team in Region 12 to hand the Dinos a loss in league play.
A win and they will move into the semifinals to take on the winner of Juab and Manti at 4:30 on Friday.
May 11- Canyon View- Win 10-0
Wyatt Falk has been impressive this season, but on Thursday night he may have turned in his best performance on the mound, throwing a no-hitter against the Canyon View Falcons in the quarterfinals of the 3A State Baseball Championships and advancing to face No. 1 Juab, with the 10-0 five-inning win.
The Dinos put up big numbers at the plate as well with a six-run second inning. With the score already at 5-0, Camden Wilson came to the plate and sent a single to center scoring Ridge Nelson, Tyrus Madsen would also score on an error putting the score at 7-0.
In the bottom of the fifth with the score at 8-0, Maizen Prichard walked up and sent a grounder to second for a single, allowing Michael Vigil to score and then Deagan Richards would score on the throw putting the score at 10-0 and giving the Dinos the win in five.
Vigil had a 2-2 day at the plate with a pair of runs and RBI’s. Prichard was 2-3 with two RBI’s and a run scored and Nelson was 1-3 with a pair of runs and RBI’s .
Falk was literally unhittable on the mound allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out eight.
The Dinos will now face the No.1 team in 3A Juab (23-3, 6-2), who outlasted the Manti Templars in a 22-15 slugfest in the game before Carbon took the field. These two teams faced off on March 10 with Juab walking away with the win 9-4.
It will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 at Kearns High School with a berth in the 3A State Championship game Friday. the game is scheduled for a 4:30 start.
May 12- Juab- Loss 6-5
The Carbon Dinos were flying high off of Wyatt Falk’s no-hitter against Canyon View on Thursday night. On Friday afternoon, they were back on the field to take on the No. 1 seed Juab Wasps with a spot in the State Championship Game on Saturday on the line. Juab would jump out to a 5-0 lead, and the Dinos would rally but came up one run short falling 6-5, and dropping into the one-loss bracket.
Carbon and Juab were on a collision course from the beginning of the playoffs. No. 1 vs. No. 2 is exactly what everyone was waiting for, and even though the Dinos came out on the wrong side the game was as advertised.
The Wasps worked their way methodically through the first five innings putting up five runs.
It was in the sixth when Carbon found their offense putting three runs on the board cutting the juab lead to just a pair of runs.
If the sixth inning was where they found their offense, in the seventh things got down right interesting, when after a pitching change, Ridge Nelson sent a double to left field driving in Peyton Molinar tying up the Wasps at 5-5. Juab would get one more run across however in the bottom of the seventh taking the 6-5 win.
Nelson and Chet Anderson both went 2-4 from the plate with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. Peyton Molinar was 1-2 with a pair of runs in the loss.
Maizen Prichard got the start and gave up four earned runs on six hits striking out one. Stockton Kennedy came in putting in 1.2 innings of work surrendering two hits, one earned, and struckout two, and Peyton Molinar went one giving up a hit and earning a strikeout.
The Dinos will head back to the field tomorrow with a very simple mission: win three games and you’re State Champions.
They will get started at 10:00 a.m., when they face the reigning 3A State Champion the Juan Diego Soaring Eagle, who fought their way back in the one loss bracket.
If Carbon wins they will take on Juab once again at 12:30, if they win the first meeting they will play one more for a State Title at 2:30.
May 13- Juan Diego- Loss- 5-2
The Carbon Dinos fought through the regular season to earn the Region 12 title and the No. 2 spot in the final RPI of the season. Playing in a slugfest on Friday night that ended in a loss to the No.1 team Juab, Carbon would take the field Saturday morning to take on the defending state champ Juan Diego. Carbon found themselves down early and tried to rally late but fell 5-2, ending their season.
Carbon’s playoff run started on May 6 in Price with a 16-1 win over North Sanpete and a 9-0 win over Grantsville. When the venue changed to Kearns High School on Thursday, May 11, Carbon sent fellow Region 12 member Canyon View to the one-loss bracket with a 10-0 win, moving Carbon into Friday without a loss to face No. 1 Juab, losing a tight one 6-5.
After a rain delay on Saturday, Juan Diego set the pace early with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Zach Carlson was on the mound for Juan Diego and in 5.1 innings of work gave up just one earned run and struck out seven to keep Carbon off the scoreboard.
The Dinos found some offense in the sixth when a Ridge Nelson double to center scored Peyton Molinar and then again in the seventh as Chet Anderson sent a single to first allowing Quade Henrie to put up another run, but 5-2 was as close as Carbon could get, bringing an end to their season.
Anderson went 3-4 in the game and collected an RBI. Molinar went 1-2 with a run scored and Henrie was 1-3 with a run scored.
Anderson also had the start on the mound going 5.2 innings giving up four earned runs on seven hits while striking out five. Stockton Kennedy came into the game giving up one earned and struck out one, Camden Wilson finished out the game giving up a hit.
Carbon ends the season with a 19-7 record with a region mark of 11-1 and held the No. 2 in the final RPI.