Locked in a tie heading into the fifth inning, the Emery Spartans erupted offensively to capture their third consecutive Region 12 win 8-4 over the North Sanpete Hawks in Mount Pleasant Tuesday afternoon.

A pitcher’s duel throughout the first four frames, the Spartans managed to plate three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. Another run in the seventh inning was more than enough for the team to improve to 5-2 in division play and 12-6 overall.

Turner Stoker tossed five strong innings, allowing just two hits and one run (unearned) in the win. Keeping North Sanpete off balance, Stoker fanned six of the 18 batters he faced.

Mason Stilson and Hayden Christiansen finished the final two innings. Christiansen recorded the final four outs, two of which came by strike out.

Senior Wade Stilson continued to dominate in the box as he finished 3-3 at the plate with a walk. Stilson fell a home run shy of the cycle, while also accounting for two RBIs.

Mason Stilson gathered three singles in four at bats, while also crossing home plate twice. Christiansen and Trygg Jensen both gathered multiple hits, also brought in two RBIs.

Tuesday’s win pushes Emery to 5-2 in Region 12 play and 12-6 overall, putting them in a third-place tie with Carbon, just 2.5 games back of Canyon View for first in the division.

Emery will now shift focus to the second of three games this week as they prepare to travel to Cedar City to meet the Canyon View Falcons on Wednesday. The game was originally scheduled to be played on March 14, but was rescheduled due to the weather. The Falcons won the first meeting 11-1 back on April 1.