The Emery Lady Spartans used an explosive fourth inning to overcome a two-run deficit and earn a 10-7 win over the Canyon View Falcons Friday afternoon in Castle Dale.
Hampered by a slow start in the first three innings, Emery was faced with a 3-1 deficit heading into the bottom of the fourth. The game quickly turned as the Lady Spartans plated nine runs to take a comfortable 10-3 lead. Despite being held scoreless over the final two frames, the dynamic fourth inning was enough to propel Emery to its 17th win of the season.
Kallee Lake and Rheagan Rhoten split the pitcher duties on the mound. Lake tossed 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits, three earned runs and three strikeouts. Rhoten went 3.1 frames, giving up two earned runs and five hits to go along with two strikeouts.
Katelyn Nielson, Elli Stoker and Rhoten shared similar stat lines inside the batter’s box, each knocking a home run and recording two RBIs in the process.
Nielson’s power and timely hitting was once again on display as she fell a double shy of the cycle after a 3-4 performance. Rhoten also ended 3-4 with two singles. Both Kali Jensen and Shannon Johnson registered two hits as the Lady Spartans ended with 15 as a team.
The win marked Emery’s second of the season over Canyon View. The two teams met in Cedar City back on March 27. Emery had little issues in the road tilt, earning a 15-1 win in six innings.
Friday’s game brings the exciting regular season to an end for Emery. A mainstay inside the top three of the UHSAA RPI, the Lady Spartans wrap up the regular season with a 17-5 mark, which includes a 10-4 record in division play.
Currently sitting third inside Region 12, the Lady Spartans will now wait for the final RPI release, which will determine their playoff future. The 3A state tournament will begin this Saturday, with the top four seeds playing host to a pod.