Back-to-back losses in the first two rounds of the state tournament Monday and Tuesday brought an end to the Price Raptors’ 2016 legion baseball season, ending one of the most successful summers in the program’s history.

Ending league play with a 5-7 record, Price qualified for the state tournament with a third place finish in the Southern Utah Division. The trip to the postseason marked the first time the team has participated in the season ending tournament.

“Already the boys are talking about next year and that makes my work a lot easier,” said manager Willy Ellington. “I feel confident going into next year because the kids really did their part this year.”

Price’s run in the tournament was short lived as the team suffered a 14-2 loss to Ridgeline in the opening round, and then a 16-4 loss to Syracuse in the one-loss bracket. Despite the early exit Ellington believes the experience the young kids gathered will play a huge factor in 2017.

“The guys were real excited to get to play in the state tournament,” he said. “The mental aspect of it is key. By going to the state tournament they seen they really have to use their mind if they are going to be successful.”

Throughout the year the team accumulated a final record of 10-22. During the non-league portion of the schedule Price won a wood bat tournament in Rangely, Colo. Traditionally finishing as one of the top teams in the tournament, the Raptors finished with an unbeaten 4-0 record.

With another season in the books, Ellington expects to return next season as head coach of the program. The majority of the team is expected to return as well, setting the stage for what could be an even bigger season for the team.

“Losing and not being that successful, but still having the winning attitude counts as the crowning achievement this year,” Ellington said when asked about the main accomplishment of the season. “I don’t think you really count your success on wins and losses. The guys having the winning attitude is what I’ll remember.”