Summary

“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.”

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.

**Stock photo courtesy of Laurie Molinar