The Helper Merchants will enter the 19U Utah State American Legion Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the final field of eight when tournament play resumes on Saturday at Mountain Crest and Ridgeline High Schools.
Finishing the regular season with a 13-2 record, and only one loss in league play, the Merchants will first meet No. 8 Bear River at 5:00 p.m.. Win or lose, the tournament will pause until Monday, leading to the final four days to decide the champion.
“To get the overall one seed is a big accomplishment, which can set you up for the entire week,” said manager Dakota Cisneros. “We are going to have to play some good baseball, especially against Bear River.”
The final eight teams are playing for the right to represent the state of Utah at the Regional Tournament in August. The tournament, which will be a true double-elimination format, will take place between two locations leading to the championship game on Thursday.
A win for Helper would put them against either Alta or Ridgeline on Monday at 5:00 p.m.. A loss would drop them into an elimination game the same day at 3:00.
By being the one seed Helper can avoid fellow region opponent St. George and also Mountain Crest, who will enter as the No. 2 seed.
“I think we put ourself in a good spot being on the opposite side of St. George and a few others that we wouldn’t have to match up with if we win,” said Cisneros. “I’ve told my guys I feel like we have the best team if we show up and play to our capability. It is an expectation to be at the top here at Helper, so it feels good to be inside the top eight.”
Shorthanded, Helper wrapped up the regular season with an 8-0 loss to St. George this past Friday. With the region crown already in hand, the team was notified Monday morning that they would enter the state tournament as the No. 1 seed.
Below is the complete schedule for Saturday’s games. Stay tuned to Castle Country Radio for updates as they become available.
Saturday:
#3 Alta VS #6 Ridgeline- 2:00 p.m.
#1 Helper VS #8 Bear River- 5:00 p.m.
#4 St. George VS #5 Stansbury- 5:00 p.m.
#2 Mountain Crest VS #7 Highland- 2:00 p.m.