The Emery Spartans wrapped up a lengthy five game road trip with a 3-2 record playing in Mesquite, Nevada Thursday through Saturday.

After earning a hard fought 6-5 win on Thursday afternoon, the Spartans would split double-headers in the next two days. Mixed with a season opening loss to Union earlier in the week, the team’s overall record now sits at 3-3 on the young season.

Thursday:
Easton Neilson recorded the win on the mound for the Spartans as he pitched four solid innings, allowing just four hits and three earned runs, while striking out three batters. Hayden Abrams worked one inning in relief to record the save.

Emery jumped out to a fast start in the top of the first inning. Mason Stilson and Wade Stilson started the game with back-to-back singles. Kade Larsen then fired a single to center field, bringing in two runs. Peyton Alton help add another run as he singled to score Quayd Oveson.

Virgin Valley answered back nearly immediately, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first and adding another in the bottom of the second to tie the game at three. The tie would be short lived as Emery took the lead for good in the top of the third.

Gannon Ward doubled on a fly ball to right field, scoring Wade Stilson for a second time to break the tie. Oveson would later cross the plate a second time to give Emery a 5-3 lead.

Both teams would find success at the plate over the final two innings. The Spartans carried a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the fifth, where Virgin Valley would threaten to steal the game. With a runner on third and the game tying run on first, Abrams forced a fielder’s choice for the second out as Virgin Valley cut the lead to one. The game came to an end on the next at bat as a ground ball to second base gave Emery the third out.

Larsen finished the game 2-3 with a double and two RBIs, running his season total to a team best four in the early going. Ward ended 1-2 with a double and two RBIs to go along with a walk.

Friday:
The Spartans returned to the field Friday afternoon and once again earned a victory, this time topping Bonneville 9-0 in five innings.

Wade Stilson was flawless on the mound, allowing just one hit over three innings. Stilson kept Bonneville off balance as he fanned eight batters and walked just one. Larsen worked the final two innings in relief as he allowed one hit and struck out four.

The Emery offense was dynamic in the second win of the weekend, scoring nine runs off nine hits. The team managed to plate runs in four of the five innings, cruising to the nine run win.

Larsen continued his dominance in the box as he finished 1-3 with a double and three RBIs. Gannon Ward ended a perfect 3-3 with a walk as he too brought in three runs. Wade Stilson and Quayd Oveson both recorded multiple hits
Despite jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the Spartans had their two-game winning streak snapped by Moapa Valley, falling 12-4 in the second game Friday afternoon.

Turner Stoker was hit with the loss on the mound as he allowed eight earned runs off six hits and seven walks in 2.1 innings. Hayden Christiansen also worked 2.1 innings, allowing two hits and two unearned runs. Trevin Gilbert recorded one out from the mound as he allowed one hit and two earned runs.

The Spartans gave up 10 runs between the second and third innings. Trying to work out of the deficit, the offense was held to just six hits in the setback.

Wade Stilson recorded two RBIs on two hits, one being a double. Both Larsen and Ward recorded the other two RBIs.

Saturday:
Emery returned to the field Saturday morning and delivered a powerful bounce back performance by knocking off Enterprise 6-4 in seven innings.

Jumping out to a 4-0 lead by the end of the first inning, the Spartans never trailed despite a run from Enterprise in the middle innings. The deciding factor turned out to be two runs in the fifth inning, extending the Spartans’ advantage to three.

Larsen once again powered the Emery offense as he ended 2-3 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs. Ward recorded an extra base hit as he produced two hits in three at bats with a run. Peyton Alton finished 1-2 with a double, RBI and stolen base.

Wade Stilson earned his second win on the mound as he pitched the first three innings, allowing just two earned runs to go along with seven strikeouts. Hayden Abrams faced the final 13 batters as he allowed three hits and one earned run.

The weekend came to a close with a 6-1 loss to Virgin Valley Saturday night, bringing Emery’s final weekend record to 3-2.

Locked in a scoreless game for the first two innings, Virgin Valley scored six straight runs to capture a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. Despite plating one run the Spartans were unable to put a dent in the deficit, leading to the loss.

Trevin Gilbert pitched five solid innings allowing six hits, three earned runs and striking out four batters, but received minimal run support in the loss. Gannon Ward finished the final two innings as he gave up two earned runs and struck out three batters.

Offensively the Spartans were held to just two hits. Ward and Abrams both notched singles, while Sean Rogers reached after being hit by a pitch. Larsen scored the only run of the game for the Spartans as he earned a walk, going hitless for the first time this season.

The Spartans will have a quick turnaround, returning to the field on Monday for a home contest with the Manti Templars. The team also has games scheduled on Wednesday against Providence Hall and Thursday with North Sanpete.