The Helper Merchants opened the 2020 American Legion baseball season with an 8-6 loss to Team Utah Wednesday night at Ernie Gardner Field in Helper.

Playing against a group of All-Star caliber players from around the state, the Merchants enjoyed a 4-0 lead entering the fifth inning. Team Utah turned the tide with a seven-run inning, taking control of the contest the rest of the way.

Starting the season with a non-region contest, manager Dakota Cisneros played all 17 of his dressed players. A total of five pitchers saw time on the mound, including Kade Dimick and Nathan Richens, who each pitched two shutout innings.

Braxton Bennett finished 2-3 at the plate, registering two triples and three RBIs. Bennett also pitched one inning of relief work for Helper in the seventh frame.

Cayden Steele ended 1-2 in the box with one RBI. Brayton Nielsen, Keaton Rich and Rylan Hart all logged one hit in the setback.

Helper will now take the remainder of the week off before returning to the field on Wednesday, June 10 against Union. That game will be apart of the Helper Legion tournament that will also feature Tooele, Skyline, Salem Hills and others.

Helper was originally scheduled to play Salem Hills on Tuesday. That game will be rescheduled and if the two teams meet at the Helper Tournament, it will serve double as a region contest.