The Emery Spartans capped off a dramatic comeback with a Jax Madsen walk-off single to earn a 5-4 win over the South Sevier Rams Friday afternoon in Castle Dale.

Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Spartans scored five runs in the final three frames to avoid a season-series sweep and improve to 5-1 in division play.

Emery tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, then kept the Rams scoreless in the top half of the seventh. With two outs and Wade Stilson on third, Madsen hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop, giving the Spartans a hard fought victory.

Despite the consistent offensive output, the Spartans struggled to plate runs until Madsen erased the zero in the fifth.

Jace Mangum ended 3-4 in the box to go along with two RBIs. Stilson finished 3-3 with one walk and one run.

Oakley Alton delivered a solid performance on the mound as he pitched six innings in a no decision. During his time on the mound, Alton struck out four batters and allowed three earned runs. Ryker Jensen pitched a perfect top half of the seventh as he struck out one batter.

Friday’s win allows Emery to keep pace with the Carbon Dinos for the top spot in Region 12, now trailing by just one game. Carbon, Emery and Richfield all entered the week tied at the top of the standings at 4-0. Carbon’s sweep over Richfield and Emery’s split with South Sevier created a one game advantage for the Dinos.

Both Carbon and Emery will now prepare for a highly important two game set beginning on Tuesday in Castle Dale. The second will come Friday at Carbon. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown both days at 3:30 p.m..