Emery Spartan baseball like most spring sports teams in the area had trouble early getting on the field, due to the persistent hold winter kept on the region. Eventually the fields dried out and it was time to go and the end result of the 2023 season was 12-15 overall record and a 5-7 Region 12 mark.

First year head coach Chase Julian was a recent guest on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports, and talked about what the upcoming class of players mean for the Spartans.

“I’m way excited. We have been a way young team all year, we got a lot of at bats for our younger kids, and I mean we still have some younger kids that, in the sophomore, JV level, that didn’t get a lot of varsity time but they’ve played a lot of sophomore and JV ball, and seen a lot of at bats. I think we’ve got a bright future with the amount of young kids we do have, and the talent that we do have. It’s a very positive thing for Emery.”

Below is a review of the 2023 Emery Spartans season.

March 7- Union- Loss- 18-2

The Emery Spartans stumbled to an 18-2 loss to the Union Cougars in five innings Tuesday afternoon in the baseball season opener in Castle Dale.
Originally slated to travel to Roosevelt, Tuesday’s opener was moved to Emery due to field conditions. Battling cold temperatures in the first game of the season the Spartans failed to find any rhythm in the field or at the plate in the loss.
“We had a lot of nerves. We have a young group, and we were definitely nervous,” said first year manager Chase Julian. “We also had a lot of walks, but we will clean it up. The good news is these kids battle and don’t stop. They keep going, so we can clean things up.”
The Spartans were faced with a deficit almost immediately as four of the first five Union batters reached safely with walks. Emery starter pitcher Turner Stoker struggled to find the strike zone in his first outing and the Cougars responded with five runs in the top half of the first.
Emery found the scoreboard in the bottom half of the first as Kade Larsen doubled to left center field, scoring Wade Stilson who reached by walk. Despite threatening to chip further into the deficit, the Spartans were held to just one run.
Treven Gilbert worked the next two innings in relief keeping the ball in play and recording two scoreless innings to keep the Spartans within striking distance. Throwing just 31 pitches, Gilbert fanned one batter, allowed four hits and did not allow a single walk.
While Gilbert managed to stifle the potent Cougar bats for two frames, the Emery offense could not provide run support. The game remained 5-1 until Union pulled away by scoring a combined 13 runs in the fourth and fifth frames.
Evan Christensen and Gannon Ward combined for two innings of work in the fourth and fifth. During that span the two allowed 13 earned runs on 10 walks and six hits.
Emery added one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Larsen registered his second RBI on a single to right field, scoring Mason Stilson.
Larsen finished the game 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Ward and Sean Rogers gathered the team’s other two hits as the Spartans finished with four compared to 10 for the Cougars.
Tuesday’s outing is the first of five games this week as the team prepares to travel to Mesquite, Nevada Thursday through Saturday. With plenty of room for improvement, Julian has wider expectations than just wins during the pre-season schedule.
“Effort is going to be the biggest thing. We need to make sure we have good at bats and making sure that fundamentally we are doing things that need to be done,” said Julian. “We need to make sure we are taking good at bats. Utah spring weather makes it difficult to get outside, so this weekend we need to make sure we are taking advantage of getting outside and taking live at bats.”
Following the weekend trip to Mesquite, the Spartans will return home on Monday to meet the Manti Templars. Monday will be the first of three scheduled games next week.
March 9- Virgin Valley- Win- 6-5
The Emery Spartans responded to a season opening loss with a 6-5 victory over Virgin Valley Thursday afternoon in the second contest of the season in Mesquite, Nevada.
Just two days after failing to find consistency at the plate, the Spartans scored runs in three of the five innings played to grab the one run win. Emery managed to double up Virgin Valley in the hit category 10-5.
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.
The Spartans will now shift focus to Friday where the team will play a double-header beginning at noon. Up first will be a tilt with Bonneville, followed by an immediate start with Moapa Valley at 2:00.

March 10- Bonneville- Win- 9-0
March 10- Moapa Valley- Loss- 12-4
March 11- Enterprise- Win- 6-4

March 11- Virgin Valley- Loss- 6-1

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.
March 13- Manti- Win- 11-6
The Emery Spartans got back on the field on Monday when they welcomed the Manti Templars to town. Emery got up quickly in the contest and then just maintained the lead to earn the 11-6 win.
After spending the weekend in Mesquite and coming home with a 3-2 record in those games, the Spartans were ready to play in front of the home crowd.
Manti put up a pair of runs in the top of the first to take the lead, Emery came back in the bottom half of the inning when in the same at bat, Mason Stilson would steal home and Kade Larsen would send a line drive single to center allowing Wade Stilson to cross home plate, tying up the score at two. Later in the same inning Larsen would steal home and and Gannon Ward would score on a Hayden Abrams single to second, giving Emery the 4-2 lead, and the Spartans would never look back.
In the bottom of the second with Ward at the plate, Mason Stilson came home on a passed ball and Wade Stilson would score on another passed ball three pitches later putting the Spartans up 6-2.
In the top of the fifth with Emery up 9-2 the Templars would go on a rally putting up four runs and cutting the Spartans lead to three, 9-6, but that was as close as Manti would get as Emery added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game on ice with the 11-6 win.
Wade Stilson had a day at the plate going 4-4 with three RBI’s. Mason Stilson was 2-4 with three runs. Larsen had a 2-4 day with a pair of runs and RBI’s and Abrams went 2-4 with a pair of RBI’s and a run.
Easton Nielson was given the win on the mound, going four innings giving up eight hits, four earned runs and struck out two. Abrams came in to close out the game going three giving up one hit, and one earned run while striking out three.
Up next for the Spartans is a road contest at Providence Hall. Weather permitting the next home game Emery is scheduled for March 21 when they take on Green Canyon.
March 16- North Sanpete- Win- 6-3
Emery baseball was home on Thursday to face the North Sanpete Hawks. The Spartans have put together a 5-2 start to the season, and were looking to add one more against the Hawks. Emery built a good lead in the early innings and carried it through to a 6-3 victory.
Coming off a win on Monday over Manti, the Spartans are starting to put things together as the season is getting started.
The Spartans got things going early with a Kade Larsen ground-out to the shortstop that drove in Mason Stilson, to put the score at 1-0. The Hawks came out in the top of the second to tie things up at one run apiece.  In the bottom part of the inning, a Trevin Gilbert line drive to right field brought home Hayden Abrams to put the Spartans up one. Later in the inning with two outs Hayden Christiansen scored on a passed ball making the score 3-1.
Things remained relatively quiet until North Sanpete put up two runs in the top of the sixth inning, putting the score at 4-3. Emery came out in the bottom half of the inning with no outs and Easton Nielson took his first pitch to left field bringing Gannon Ward and Abrams home, giving the Spartans just enough cushion to maintain the 6-3 win.
Ward, Nielson and Gilbert all went 2-3 with Nielson adding a pair of RBI’s and Gilbert one RBI. Larsen, was hit-less but still managed to collect two RBI.
Gilbert earned the win on the mound going three innings giving up four hits and striking out three. Wade Stilson, Turner Stoker and Larsen also contributed in the victory.
The Spartans will head back to the field on Tuesday to face Green Canyon, the first pitch is set for 3 p.m. in Castle Dale.

March 18- Canyon View- Double Header- 1-1

The Emery Spartans played host to the Canyon View Falcons, splitting a double-header in the Region 12 opening contests Tuesday afternoon in Castle Dale.
Wade Stilson provided fireworks in the first game of the afternoon hitting a walk-off RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Spartans to a 6-5 win.
Tied 5-5 with two outs and no one on, senior Sean Rogers kept the inning alive with a single to center field. Mason Stilson stepped to the plate next and reached first safely after a swinging strike three was dropped by Canyon View catcher Cameron Calvez. With the winning run now at second, Stilson stepped to the plate and sent a game winning shot to right field, scoring Rogers and lifting Emery to the win.
The thrilling region opener was a pitcher’s duel throughout as the game remained scoreless until the Falcons broke through with a two-run fifth inning. The Spartans erased the two-run deficit with a run in both the fifth and sixth frame.
Hayden Abrams started the fifth off with a triple to right field. Easton Neilson brought the run in on a ground out to short stop at the next at bat. Wade Stilson tied the game in the sixth inning with a single to right field, scoring Mason Stilson who started the inning off with a double.
Locked in a 2-2 after seven innings the game went to extras where Canyon View captured a 5-2 lead in the eighth. The Spartans responded by taking advantage of a Canyon View error with timely hits to send the game to the ninth, setting the stage for Stilson’s heroics.
Stilson was also spectacular on the mound as he threw seven innings, striking out nine batters and only allowing one hit with two unearned runs. Abrams worked the final two frames, earning the win in a relief effort.
As a team the Spartans gathered 15 hits, four of which came from lead off hitter Mason Stilson. Kade Larsen continued to bolster his batting average as he finished 2-4 with one RBI. Gannon Ward also ended 2-4 and brought in one run.
The Falcons responded to the heartbreaking loss with a dominating performance in the second game of the evening earning a 13-4 win to even the season series.
Canyon View plated runs in six of the seven innings, while keeping Emery scoreless in four of the seven frames.
Easton Neilson was charged with the loss on the mound after allowing five earned runs on eight hits in 2.2 innings. Treven Gilbert worked 3.1 innings in relief, allowing three earned runs on nine hits. Hayden Christiansen closed out the final inning for the Spartans.
Larsen was once again dynamic at the plate as he finished 1-2 with two RBIs and one walk. Gannon Ward and Peyton Alton also brought in one run from the batter’s box.
The Spartans now sit 6-4 overall and 1-1 in Region 12 play. The team will continue a busy week on Wednesday with a home game against Juab before traveling on the road Friday to wrap up the season set with Canyon View.

March 29- Juab- Loss- 11-0
March 30- Canyon View- Loss- 11-1

The Emery Spartan baseball team played a couple last week and unfortunately came out on the wrong end of a pair of losses. Always a powerhouse, the Spartans faced the Juab Wasps taking an 11-0 loss.  They also traveled to Cedar City to close out the season series with Canyon View, taking an 11-1 loss.
The Spartans were coming off a region split with Canyon View in Castle Dale with Emery taking game one in dramatic fashion, 7-5, only to turn around and drop game two, 13-4.
First up for the Spartans was the Juab Wasps, one of the top teams every year in 3A.  The Wasps made the trip to Castle Dale and took charge immediately.
Emery struggled to find any offense collecting only six hits in the contest. Gannon Ward was 2-3, Easton Nielson and Hayden Abrams each went 1-2, and Peyton Alton and Mason Stilson were both 1-3 in the loss.
The Spartans put four players on the mound, with Kade Larsen taking the loss going two innings giving up five hits and four earned runs. Ward surrendered six hits with four earned and struck out two. Hayden Christiansen gave up four hits three earned, Turner Stoker also got some work in.
The Spartans traveled to Cedar City to take on the Canyon View Falcons in the third and final regular-season meeting between the two teams.
The Falcons used a huge fourth inning, scoring six to put the game out of reach for the Spartans, as Wade Stilson would score the only run in the contest off of a Ward double to center.
Ward and Wade Stilson would go 2-3 and Sean Rogers went 1-3 in the loss.
Trevin Gilbert went 3.2 innings taking the loss on the mound for the Spartans, giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Stoker came ingoing 1.2 surrendering three hits and two earned.
The Spartans are back on the field Monday to take on Grand in double-header action Monday, April 3 in Castle Dale.

April 3- Grand- Win-10-7
April 3- Grand- Win- 2-0
April 5- Grand- Win- 14-2

After back to back wins against Grand in Castle Dale as part of the double header, the Spartans traveled to Moab on Wednesday to take on the Red Devils for the final time in the regular season earning the season sweep, 14-2.
On Monday, the Spartans collected the first two wins, taking a 10-7 win in game one and a 2-0 victory in game two. Sitting a 9-6 overall with a 4-2 Region 12 mark, Emery is preparing for the second half of the season and the playoffs which start on May 6.
The game on Wednesday in Moab was all Emery all the time, but the Spartans really blew the game open in the seventh putting up seven and finishing the Red Devils off.
Up 7-2, Evan Christensen tripled to right field scoring Hayden Abrams and Sean Rogers, Mason Stilson hit a grounder to first reaching on an error and driving in Christensen. With two on, Gannon Ward sent one over the fence into right field, bringing in Wade and Mason Stilson to put the score at 13-2 and then with a pair of outs, Boden Christman would score would score on a wild pitch. The Spartans held on in the bottom of the seventh taking the 14-2 win.
Wade Stilson went 4-4 with three runs and a pair of RBI’s for the Spartans. Mason Stilson was 2-4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Gannon Ward had a huge game for the Spartans, going 3-5, with five RBI’s and a run, Abrams went 4-5 with a pair of runs and Christensen was 2-4 with two RBI’s.
Ward was on the mound and earned the win going four innings, giving up no hits and striking out four. Abrams entered the game going three innings, giving up a pair of hits one earned run and a pair of strike outs.
Emery will be back on the field on April 11, in Richfield for a double header with the Wildcats. They will be back in Castle Dale on Friday, April 14 to finish off the season series.
Game time in Castle Dale will be 3:30.

March 11- Richfield- Double Header- 1-1

The Emery Spartans and Richfield Wildcats battled to a double-header split on the diamond Tuesday afternoon in Richfield.
Meeting for the first time this season, the two teams were locked in a massive offensive battle, resulting in a 19-16 win for the Wildcats. Emery responded with tight defense and excellent pitching in the second game to log a 4-1 victory.
In the afternoon’s loss the Spartans played extremely well outside of one inning, where Richfield plated 11 runs. The Emery offense was game throughout, scoring a minimum of three runs in four different frames.
Junior Turner Stoker was charged with the loss as he allowed seven hits and eight earned runs in two full innings. Hayden Christiansen, Hayden Abrams and Treven Gilbert all allowed at least one earned run as they too saw time on the mound.
Despite the setback several Spartans recorded video game numbers at the plate. Evan Christensen finished 2-3 at the plate with a double and five RBIs. Wade Stilson ended a perfect 3-3 with a double, two walks and four RBIs. Gannon Ward followed suit with four RBIs on two hits including a double.
Wade Stilson continued his early season dominance on the mound in Emery’s 4-1 win. Stilson was in control throughout as he allowed seven hits and one earned run, while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.
While Stilson was his dominant self on the mound, Gannon Ward continued his excellent stretch at the plate as he finished a perfect 4-4 with two RBIs. Christensen and Christiansen recorded the other two RBIs as Emery earned the road split.
The two teams will wrap up their season series on Friday with a home contest against the Wildcats. The winner will win the season series.
The Spartan now sit 10-7 overall on the season and are currently ranked No. 5 in the UHSAA RPI.

April 14-Richfield- Loss 11-5

Coming off a double-header split in Richfield last Tuesday the Spartans welcomed the Wildcats to Castle Dale on Friday for the rubber match of the season series. Richfield came out in the early innings taking the lead and never looked back, handing Emery an 11-5 loss.
Emery holds a 10-7 record overall which includes a 5-4 region 12 mark and has them sitting in the No. 6 spot in the latest RPI.
After a quiet first inning for both sides, the Wildcats would start off with a four run second inning, the Spartans wouldn’t get on the board until the bottom of the fourth with the score already 6-0, when Evan Christensen hit a grounder scoring Gannon Ward from third, putting the score at 6-1. The Wildcats would tack on two more runs in the top of the fifth pushing the score to 8-1, when Mason Stilson would score on a wild pitch and then in the same at bat, Ward sent a single to second, scoring Wade Stilson. In the next at bat, after a Richfield pitching change, Kade Larsen doubled to left bringing home Ward, making the score 8-4.
After two more runs from Richfield in the top of the sixth, and with the score 10-4, Christensen advanced to third on an error and and then would go on to score on a wild pitch, pushing the score to 10-5. Richfield would add one more run to take the 11-5 win.
Ward had a great day at the plate going 3-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Christensen went 2-3 with a run, and Larsen was 1-4 with an RBI.
On the mound, the Spartans would use four pitchers with Ward taking the loss going two innings, giving up three hits, three earned runs and two strike outs. Hayden Abrams went 2.1, giving up three hits and struck out a pair, Turner Stoker went 1.2 surrendering a pair of hits and collected one strikeout and Easton Nielson put in and inning of work giving up a pair of hits, one earned run and one strikeout.
Emery is back on the field Monday to take on Providence Hall on the road.
Then on Tuesday, they will have a double-header against Carbon on Price. Game times are set for 2 and 4.
April 17- Providence Hall- 10-5
With the baseball season getting closer to it’s end, every game counts and the Spartans used a huge seventh inning to earn their 11th win of the season over the Providence Hall Patriots, 10-5.
The Spartans are 11-7 so far this season with a 5-4 record in Region 12. They also sit at No. 6 in the RPI.
In the contest with Providence Hall, the Spartans started out slowly scoring just three runs in the first four innings. It was in the seventh inning that the Spartans bats came alive putting the game out of the Patriots reach.
Gannon Ward got things started for the Spartans. With the score 3-2 in Emery’s favor, Ward sent a single to left sending Wade Stilson home. In the next at bat, Kade Larsen’s single brought in Ward from third bringing the score to 5-2. Trevin Gilbert grounded out to third allowing Hayden Abrams to score. Then with two outs, Easton Nielson singled to right bringing in Boden Christman from third to put the score at 7-2. Mason Stilson would bring Neilson home with a swing of the bat and the scoring barrage would end with a Wade Stilson triple to right driving in Sean Rogers and Mason Stilson, the Spartans put up seven runs in the inning, putting the score at 10-2.
Emery would give up three runs to Providence Hall in the bottom of the inning but held on to take the 10-5 win.
Nielson went 3-4 with a pair of RBI’s and a run. Wade Stilson and Ward each went 3-5 with a pair of RBI’s and one run scored.
On the mound, Rogers got the win, going five innings giving up three hits, one earned run and struck out four. Evan Christensen would put in two innings of work, allowing one hit three earned and sat down a pair of batters.
The Spartans are back on the field to face the Carbon Dinos in a double-header on Tuesday. They wrap up the season series with the Dinos on Friday in Castle Dale, the first pitch is set for 3:30.

April 18- Carbon- Double Header- 0-2

The Dinos and the Spartans met in Price on Tuesday for the first two games of the three game season series. In the first game Wyatt Falk was on the mound for the Dinos, and the Spartans could not find an answer, as the Dinos would take game one 10-0 in five innings. Game two was a little more competitive but Carbon earned a 12-5 win.
Emery holds an 11-10 record with a 5-6 Region 12 mark. The Spartans are one of four teams from the region in the top 10 of the state RPI at No.6.
Carbon is 11-4 with a 7-1 mark in league play, they also sit at No.2 in the RPI and their only region loss came at the hands of No. 3 Canyon View.
Game one really started out as a pitchers dual with Falk and Wade Stilson going back-and-forth, in fact it wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth when Carbon would truly take charge of the game.
With the score 0-0, and Colton Lowe at the plate, Ridge Nelson would score on a steal of home, and then with the first pitch Lowe sent one over the right field fence driving in Michael Vigil. Three batters later and with two outs, Peyton Molinar sent a fly ball to center that allowed Camden Wilson and Quade Henrie to score. a Chet Anderson triple to left field scored Molinar from first. With the score at 6-0, Nelson stepped up sending a double to center bringing in Anderson, and then Vigil would double to left bringing Nelson home. Falk came up next and helping his cause sent a grounder to left as Vigil would score. Wilson came up once again driving in Falk and putting the score at 10-0.
For the Spartans Mason Stilson was 1-2 from the plate and Wade Stilson had a 2-3 game.
On the mound for Emery Wade Stilson got the start and the loss going 3.2, giving up five hits, and three earned with four strike outs. Turner Stoker gave up four hits and three earned in the loss.
For Carbon, Nelson was 2-2 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI. Lowe was 1-1 with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored and Vigil and Molinar were both 1-2 at the plate. Vigil had a pair of runs scored and an RBI and Molinar had a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. All of the Dinos scoring came in the fourth inning.
Falk had a game on the mound for the Dinos, getting the complete game win in five innings, giving up three hits and striking out 13. Falk was one strike away from the “Immaculate Inning”. An immaculate inning occurs in baseball when a pitcher strikes out all three batters he faces in one inning using the minimum possible number of pitches: nine.
Coach Rob Smith joined KOAL after the game and had this to say about Falk. “Wyatt came out and threw awesome, did a great job. The umpire told me he did miss that call, so write it down as an immaculate inning for him.”
If game one was about Wyatt Falk, then game two was about Ridge Nelson. Nelson had a 4-5 performance at the plate with four RBI’s and three runs scored in the 12-5 victory.
Camden Wilson got the start on the mound for the Dinos and had to work through some adversity in the first after hitting three batters, Wilson gave up a single to Hayden Abrams that drove in Wade Stilson. Wilson would also walk in another run putting the first inning score at 2-0 for the Spartans. Nelson was the second batter up for the Dinos and he sent a fly ball over the center field wall driving in Anderson and tying the score at 2-2. Two batters later it was Falk’s turn to show off his offense with a single home run to left making the score 3-2.
In the bottom of the second, Nelson came up to the plate sending a single to left driving in Maizen Prichard and Molinar. Falk would come up sending a single to left bringing home Anderson and Nelson. With the bases loaded Emery pitcher Trevin Gilbert, with the bases loaded, would hit Henrie with a pitch walking in Vigil, putting the score at 8-2.
In the top of the fourth, Carbon would switch to Stockton Kennedy on the mound, and with a pair of outs Kennedy gave up a double to Gannon Ward who drove in Gilbert and Peyton Alton and the Spartans cut the Dinos lead in half at 8-4.
Carbon added two more in the fifth to push the lead to 11-4. Emery had one more chance to rally in the top of the seventh when with two outs Abrams would steal home, but that would do it for the Spartans as they were handed a 12-5 loss.
Ward went 1-3 for the Spartans with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored, Gilbert would also go 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss for Emery.
Turner Stoker got the start on the mound for Emery going just one inning giving up three hits, three earned runs and struck out one. Easton Nielson came in taking the loss giving up four earned on two hits . Gilbert and Abrams would also log time on the bump for the Spartans.
Wilson was on the hill for Carbon, and after the tough start in the first he settled in giving up two earned on two hits and struck out two in three innings of work. Kennedy came in to earn the win going four, giving up three hits, two earned and struck out five.
Offensively for the Dinos behind Nelson’s big day at the plate, Falk had a day at the plate as well going 4-5 with four RBI’s and a run scored. and Chet Anderson was 2-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI.
Carbon will face Alta on the road on Wednesday.
On Friday Emery will welcome Carbon to Castle Dale for the final meeting of the regular season.
Game time is set for 3:30.

April 21-Carbon- Loss- 5-2

Last Tuesday , Carbon and Emery played the first two of the season series in a double header in Price, Friday the venue would change to Castle Dale, however the outcome was the same with the Dinos taking the win and sweeping the season series with a 5-2 win.
Carbon (13-4, 8-1 in region, No.2 RPI), only has their three game series with Richfield left and then a non-region meeting with Union. The Dinos were just coming off a big win over Alta, 14-2.
Emery (11-11, 5-7 in region, No.6 RPI), has wrapped up the region portion of their schedule and has just a pair of games left against Uintah and No. 1 Juab.
The Dinos would jump out scoring all of their runs in the first three innings. In the first, with Trevin Gilbert on the mound for the Spartans, Wyatt Falk would ground out to shortstop Wade Stilson, giving Chet Anderson of Carbon the chance to cross home plate, putting the Dinos on the board first, 1-0. In The second, the Dinos Camden Wilson would send a fly ball over the fence in left field for a solo home run, later in the inning, Anderson doubled to left driving in Peyton Molinar pushing the score to 3-0.
In the top of the third, Michael Vigil singles to center and Colton Lowe would score. Later in the inning, with two outs Vigil would score on a wild pitch to put the score at 5-0.
Both teams were quiet in the fourth and then in the fifth, Wade Stilson  would send a two run shot over the wall in center driving in Mason Stilson, putting the score at 5-2 and that was as close as the Spartans would get.
For Emery, Wade Stilson went 2-4, with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored. Mason Stilson  was 2-2, and he scored a run. Hayden Abrams and Sean Rogers both were 1-3 in the loss for the Spartans.
On the mound for Emery, Gilbert went 2.1 innings taking the loss giving up eight hits and five earned.
Anderson earned the win on the mound for the Dinos, putting in 6.2 innings of work, giving up five hits and struck out seven with two earned. Maizen Pritchard would come in and get the one out save.
Wilson went 2-4 with the home run, and an RBI. Anderson, helped his own cause, going 2-4 with an RBI, and Vigil went 1-3 with an RBI.
The Spartans will wrap up the regular season with a contest on Monday in Castle Dale against Uintah, game time is 3:30. They will close out the regular season on the road against No. 1 Juab on Thursday.
For the Dinos it’s a three game series with the Richfield Wildcats starting with a double header on Tuesday in Richfield and then the final home game of the season will be Friday for the series finale at 3:30. They will close out the regular season on Monday, May 1st, when they travel to Roosevelt to face Union.

April 24, Uintah- Loss- 9-4

Emery baseball is not closing out the season as they hoped, sitting on a three-game losing streak, they welcomed 5A Uintah to Castle Dale. The Spartans only found four runs on the offensive side and were handed their fourth loss in a row, 9-4.
The Spartans are now 11-11 overall with a 5-7 region mark they also sit in the No. 8 spot in the RPI.
Emery put up a trio of runs in the first inning, one from a Gannon Ward single that sent in Wade Stilson, and then later in the inning, a double off the bat of Evan Christensen drove Ward home. Hayden Abrams would score on a steal of home, giving Emery their first and only lead of the game, 3-2.
Uintah scored seven runs in the first three innings and after the third, the Spartans found themselves down 7-4, Emery would give up two more runs to Uintah, and the game ended with the final score of 9-4.
Stilson was 3-4 with a run scored, and Christensen was 2-3 with an RBI. Abrams and Ward both went 2-4 with Abrams earning one run and Ward adding a pair of runs and an RBI in the loss.
Sean Rogers took the loss going one inning, giving up six hits and four earned runs. Easton Nielson went five innings also surrendering six hits and four earned, getting a pair of strikeouts. and Turner Stoker put in one inning of work striking out two.
The Spartans have just one game remaining on their schedule, a meeting with the 3A No.1 Juab, on the road on Thursday.

April 27- Juab- 7-2

Emery Spartan Baseball wrapped up the regular season on Thursday when they traveled to face the No.1 team in 3A, the Juab Wasps. The Spartans struggled at the plate, only putting up a pair of runs and lost 7-2 in Nephi.
This was not the first time these two teams tangled this season, back in late march Juab made the trip to Castle Dale and took an 11-0 victory over the Spartans.
The Spartans gave up all of Juab’s runs in the third inning, and had a tough time scoring runs of their own, having no answer for the Wasps junior hurler Kanyon Matinson, who gave up just three hits, one earned run and struck out 12 Spartans.
Emery was able to get a pair of runs in the final two innings, one off of an error in the sixth, that allowed Mason Stilson to score and the other would come in the seventh when Wade Stilson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in Sean Rogers.
Wade Stilson was on the mound for the Spartans taking the loss surrendering seven hits and four earned while striking out five.
The Spartans ended the regular season at 11-13 with a 5-7 mark in Region 12 play.
Emery will wait until May 3, for the release of the final 3A Utah High School Activities Association RPI. The RPI has been compiled throughout the season and will be used as seeding in the State Baseball Championships which will begin this Friday with the play-in round.
The opening round will begin on Saturday at pod sites throughout the state with the final rounds being played at Kearns High School starting Thursday May 11.
The season will come to a close on Saturday the 13, when a new State Champion is crowned.

State Playoffs
May 6- Summit Academy- Win 2-1

May 6- Juab- Loss- 5-2

Emery Spartan baseball jumped into the state playoffs on Saturday, traveling to Nephi, home to the No.1 team in 3A the Juab Wasps. The Spartans faced the Summit Academy Bears in the opening game, getting a hard-earned 2-1 win, and moving into the next round to face Juab. In the game with the Wasps, Emery stayed close early but lost 5-2.
The Spartans finished the regular season 11-13 with a 5-7 mark in Region 12 play. Sitting at the No.8 spot in the final RPI meant the road trip for their opening round games.
In the first game, they would meet up with  No.9 Summit Academy. The No. 8 team facing the No. 9 team on paper meant it should be a close game, and true to form it was.
Neither team could really get started offensively, in fact, the only Summit Academy run came off of a dropped third strike in the top of the sixth. In the bottom half of the inning, Emery would tie up the score when Wade Stilson came home on a passed ball.
With the score tied in the bottom of the seventh, a well-placed Evan Christensen single to right drove in Sean Rogers giving the Spartans the 2-1 win.
In the win Stilson was 3-3 scoring one run,  Rogers was 1-3 with a run scored, and Christensen 1-3 with an RBI.
Stilson also earned the win on the mound giving up four hits one earned and 11 strikeouts.
Next up was a meeting with the No. 1 team in 3A, host Juab.
The Spartans jumped out to a short-lived 2-0 lead in the second inning when Mason Stilson doubled to left scoring Hayden Christiansen and Peyton Alton, but that would end the scoring for the Spartans.
Mason Stilson was 2-3 from the plate with a pair of RBI’s, Gannon Ward was also 2-3 and Alton had a run scored.
A pair of hurlers took to the mound for the Spartans, Trevin Gilbert would take the loss giving up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out one. Ward, would also log some time, surrendering three hits, one earned, and one strikeout.
Emery will be on the road Tuesday, to face No. 7, Ogden. With a win, they will take on either Union or Richfield on Thursday at Kearns High School.

May 9- Ogden- Loss- 8-6
Spartans baseball traveled to Ogden on Tuesday to continue the 3A State Baseball Championships. After splitting the first two games in the playoffs, and dropping in to the one loss bracket, the Spartans had to get past the No. 7 Ogden Tigers to move on. Emery was able to strike first and even came back to tie it up at one point, but couldn’t keep pace with the Tigers falling 8-6.
Emery ended up in Ogden after a win in their first game with Summit Academy and then turned around and fell in their second game of the day when they took on the No. 1 Juab Wasps, last Saturday in Nephi.
The Spartans came up in the top of the first and quickly put up three runs, but they couldn’t keep the Tigers off the board and would give up five runs to Ogden in the bottom of the inning, falling behind 5-3.
The next three innings were pretty slow for both squads as neither team could plate any runs.
In the fifth, Wade Stilson sent a triple to right field bringing in Mason Stilson. Gannon Ward would dig into the box and send a single that scored Wade Stilson to make the score 5-5.
Emery would try to rally in the top of the seventh as Kade Larsen brought Wade Stilson home when he flew out to right and after tagging up Stilson would score to cut into  the Ogden lead at 8-6 but that was as close as they would get and the Spartans season would come to an end.
Wade Stilson had a great day offensively going 3-4 scoring three runs and collecting one RBI. Ward had a 2-3 day at the plate with an RBI and Hayden Abrams was 2-4 with a pair of RBI’s and a run scored.
Emery went through four pitchers in the loss with Easton Nielson getting the start on the mound giving up five earned runs on six hits. Ward put in 3.1 innings of work with five hits and striking out two. Wade Stilson went one inning surrendering two earned on three hits with a pair of strikeouts and Abrams would come in for the final inning and collect one strikeout.

Emery ends the season 12-15 overall with a 5-7 Region 12 mark, and ended the season with the No. 8 in the final RPI.