Four untimely errors worked against the Emery Spartans in an 11-3 loss to the Union Cougars in five innings Thursday afternoon in Roosevelt.

Entering the non-region tilt ranked No. 7 in the UHSAA RPI, the Spartans scored two in the top of the first, but surrendered five in the bottom half to the No. 4 ranked Cougars. Union expanded their advantage by scoring four more in the third to take control for good.

“We struggled to perform in the field and that ultimately cost us early in the game,” said manager Rob Smith. “We’ve got to learn how to stop the bleeding before it gets out of hand. That has happened a few times to us this year.”

Cold weather mixed with rain and wind added an extra variable to Thursday’s game. Offensively the Cougars still managed to compile eight hits, while the Spartans were held to just three.

Ryker Jensen accounted for two of Emery’s three hits as he finished 2-3 in the box. Jax Madsen finished 1-2 and also drew a walk.

Trevin Wakefield was tagged with the loss on the hill as he allowed five hits and seven runs in 2.2 innings of work. Luke Stilson struck out three, while giving up three hits and two earned runs in just over one inning in a relief appearance.

Union senior Jeff Lyon pitched a complete game as he fanned six batters and allowed three earned runs in five innings. The win moves Union to No. 3 in the RPI as the team is now 11-4 overall.

Thursday’s setback is the second straight defeat for the Spartans, dropping their record to 9-4 overall. Emery remains No. 7 in the RPI and will return to the field Friday for a game against the South Sevier Rams, weather permitting.

“This is an important game for us as far as the region standings go,” Smith said. “They are a scrappy team and we are going to have to hit the ball against them.”