| Dino pitcher Troy Grundy rushes to first base to assist Tommy Larsen during a Region 8 game last month. The Carbon team will host the first round of the state tournament this Saturday. Park City will be the first opponent for the Dinos and the action will begin at 10 a.m. on the Carbon High baseball field. |
The Carbon High baseball team has had a successful season and now looks forward to hosting the first state tournament games of the year this Saturday.
Several weeks ago, the Dinos clinched the Region 8 title and claimed the number one seed in the region as they prepared for the state playoffs.
Because the team captured the region title, they are now the host team for the beginning play in games this weekend.
Saturday morning, the Dinos will welcome Park City as the state playoff action begins.
At 10 a.m., the Dinos will step out on to the field and step up their game.
According to Dino coach Lane Herrick, Carbon should fare quite well against Miners who finished the season with an 8-12 record.
“We think that our chances are good against Park City. The important thing is that we have a good showing on the mound and everyone has to have a good hitting performance,” explained the coach.
Carbon finished the Region 8 season undefeated with an 8-0 record and their overall season record stands at 13-6.
Although the team remains unranked in the Class 3A standings, coach Herrick is not concerned about his team not advancing in the tourney.
“The one thing about the state tournament is that every team has a chance at winning. There are no favorites when it comes to post season action. This year, there are about eight or nine teams that could very easily win the title and we are among these numbers,” Herrick explained.
The Carbon coach explained the format of the tournament and explained that this is the first year that teams will compete in a double header in the first day of state tourney play.
“I think that this new format will make for an exciting series. We are just fortunate enough to be the home team this year and don’t have to worry about traveling. This gives us somewhat of an advantage, but we can’t lose focus on the importance of this round,” continued the baseball coach.
According to Herrick, the four teams who will compete this weekend at Carbon, must win one game to advance in the state tournament.
Herrick explained that one team will suffer two losses Saturday and will be knocked out of the tourney while another team will finish the weekend 2-0 and the other two teams will each claim one win each.
“The important thing is to claim a win. Right now we feel are chances are good against Park City, but the second game may be close,” stated Herrick. “We will face either Snow or Tooele in the second round and either team could give us trouble.”
The second game for the Dinos will begin at 2 p.m. and the stage will be set for the second round of state tourney action.