The Emery Spartans entered Thursday’s games knowing that the next loss would send them home. First up was a region opponent, the Grand County Red Devils, a team they had already beaten three times in the regular season. The second was the Grantsville Cowboys last year’s state champs. The first game went the Spartans way 13-4. In game two Emery led for the first five innings and then could get the Cowboys off the field losing 7-5.
The Spartans jumped out early in the game against Grand pushing the score to 7-2 by the end of the second inning, The bats went quiet for Emery, but the Red Devils would put two runs up in the top of the sixth, cutting the Emery lead to 7-4.
It was in the bottom of the sixth that the Spartans bats would come back to life. Wade Stilson would get the party started with a bunt and would reach on an error from the pitcher that would allow both Mason and Tyler Stilson to score. Gannon Ward hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Wade. The Spartans would add two more pushing the lead to 13-4. In the top of the seventh, Grand would get two on base and that is where they would stay as Ryker Jensen who came in to go one inning and struck out three, ended the game.
Trevin Wakefield got the start on the bump for the Spartans put in six innings of work giving up two earned and striking out eight.
Tyler Stilson and Jace Mangum both went 2-3 putting up one RBI and scoring a run. Easton Nielsen went 1-3 with two RBI’s.
In the second game of the day against No. 5 Grantsville, Emery meant business coming right out of the gate taking a quick 5-0 lead after two.
The Cowboys would basically take over the game from that point on, putting up single runs in the next two innings and then coming up big in the bottom of the fifth coming up with five runs to take the 7-5 lead. Emery would have their chance in the sixth with Gannon Ward aboard but he was left stranded and then a three-up, three-down seventh would bring the Spartan season to an end.
Wade Stilson had a great game going 4-4, with two RBI’s and scored a run and Gannon Ward was 1-3 , with a run scored and an RBI.
On the mound for the Spartans, Oakley Alton got the start going four innings giving up five earned on seven hits and struck out one. Easton Nielsen came in, throwing just five pitches to two batters. Turner Stoker was then brought in going two innings.
The Spartans ended the season with an overall record of 14-12 and put up a 6-6 Region 12 mark.
Castle Country Radio will post a recap of the 2022 season and tune in to Drive Time Sports on KOAL 107.3 or 750 AM for a closing interview with Coach Rob Smith.