Carson Gard Plays In Senior Baseball All-Star Game
Senior All-Star… Eagle senior baseball player Carson Gard played in the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Class 3 versus Class 4 All-Star Game at Southern Boone High School in Ashland on Saturday, June 10. Gard filled the role of catcher for the Class 3 team. Photo • Steve Edwards
Holden senior baseball player Carson Gard played in the Class 3 versus Class 4 Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game at Southern Boone High School in Ashland on Saturday, June 10.
Gard, a versatile utility player who played nearly every position on the field during his time wearing the Holden blue and white, filled the role of catcher for the Eagles baseball team a majority of this past season. He would strap on the gear one last time in the all-star game as he represented the Holden baseball team amid top senior players from across the state.
“I just wanted to come in, get some playing time, have fun, meet some new people, and play ball,” said Gard after the game.
Joining Gard in the dugout for the all-star game was Holden baseball head coach Charlie Castle who served as one of the coaches for the Class 3 team.
“It was great to coach Carson one more time,” said Castle. “He did outstanding defensively behind the plate like he did all year for us, so that was fun to watch. He also smoked the ball for a single to drive in two runs.”
Gard’s two-RBI single tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the third inning when he entered the game for his first plate appearance.
The Holden senior took over catching duties for the Class 3 team in the bottom of the third inning.
“I didn’t start, and it didn’t bother me,” said Gard. “Everybody gets a chance to play. I figured I’d take advantage of it. I got that hit for two RBIs. I had fun.”
The Class 3 team tacked on a run in the fourth inning, two runs in the fifth, and a run in the seventh to go ahead 7-4. A run in the bottom of the seventh scored by the Class 4 team put the score at 7-5, and a four-run burst in the bottom of the eighth inning led to a 9-7 edge on the scoreboard for the Class 4 team.
After recording a fly out in the sixth inning, Gard drew a walk in the top of the ninth, ultimately remaining stranded on third base after the Class 3 team plated one run in the frame prior to Gard’s base on balls.
Gard would finish the game with 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 RBIs, and six innings of work behind the plate at the catcher spot.
“It was blast,” said Gard. “We were here to have fun.”
