Runs were at a premium Friday afternoon in Castle Dale, as the Emery Spartans dropped a 2-1 contest in Region 15 play against the Manti Templars.

Capturing a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, the Spartans were held scoreless the rest of the way. After tying the game in the fourth inning, the Templars picked up the eventual win in the bottom of the seventh in two-out, walk-off fashion.

Emery senior Easton Gordon delivered a gem on the hill despite the loss. Pitching 6.2 innings Gordon struck out three, walked two and allowed just one hit. Of the two runs that were scored by Manti, neither were charged to Gordon as an earned run.

The Spartans committed three errors in the field, contributing to the two runs that eventually led to the loss.

Koda Alton accounted for two of Emery’s four hits, finishing 2-3 at the plate. Brax Jensen ended 1-3 with the team’s only RBI. Gordon also ended 1-3, recording the team’s fourth hit.

Friday’s loss dips Emery to 3-5 in Region 15 play, placing them fourth in the highly competitive division. The win moves Manti to 2-5, a full game behind North Sanpete for fifth.

With only four region games remaining in the 2018 season, the Spartans will return to the field on Tuesday for a home tilt against the North Sanpete Hawks. The two teams will wrap up their season set on Friday in Mount Pleasant.