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The Helper Merchants opened the American Legion baseball season with four straight wins at the RBI Tournament Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Burley, Idaho.
Playing four games in four days, the Merchants had little trouble running the table in the round robin format. Getting four outstanding performances from their starting pitchers, Helper also had a healthy dose of run support at the plate.
“We had a great tournament and I’m very proud of our start to the season,” said manager Dakota Cisneros. “It just gets tougher from here and I’m looking forward to the competition.”
Opening the tournament on Thursday, Helper earned a 9-0 victory over Minico behind the arm of Jordan Fossat. Allowing just one hit in the game, Fossat struck out the first nine batters he faced as he fanned 15 total.
“This was one of Jordan’s best outings I have witnessed,” said Cisneros. “He threw lights out. He kept hitters off balance and threw his pitches well, really setting the tone.”
While Fossat dominated on the bump, the Helper offense had four players record multiple hits at the plate. Derick Robison ended a perfect 3-3 with two doubles and a RBI, while Brayton Nielsen knocked three singles in a 3-4 performance.
Helper returned to the field Friday afternoon as they played back-to-back games, starting with Blackfoot. Wyatt Falk fanned seven batters through four innings, while allowing just three hits as Helper earned an 8-5 win to move to 2-0.
Falk helped his own cause at the plate as he ended 2-4 with three RBIs. Ridge Nelson and Jacob Vasquez also logged multiple base hits as both finished 2-4 with one RBI.
Immediately after Friday’s first game the Merchants returned to the field as they went toe-to-toe with Burley in the most competitive game of the weekend.
Camden Wilson gave a complete game effort on the mound as he struck out five batters in a 5-3 Helper win. Pitching to contact Wilson kept his team involved defensively as he kept hitters off balance throughout the game.
Dallen O’Neil helped push the Helper offense as he ended 2-3 with two singles and a RBI. Robison, Nelson and Wilson all ended with one hit in three tries.
The final test came Saturday morning as Helper swept the weekend set with a 9-3 win over Jerome.
The Merchants posted their most efficient game offensively as four players recorded at least one RBI. Vasquez ended as a dual threat recording the win on the mound, while finishing 2-4 at the plate two singles and one RBI.
With the Idaho trip now complete Helper will open up league play Monday afternoon on the road against Roosevelt. The team will play its first home stretch beginning Wednesday with the CJ Smuin Memorial Tournament that will run through Saturday.