The Emery Spartan baseball squad battled throughout the season and got hot at the right time heading into the postseason. With the new format this season, the tournament started with a best-of-three series in which the Spartans defeated American Leadership Academy in two games. Moving into the State Championships they earned a 9-7 win over Grantsville but dropped their next two.
Recently Emery manager Chase Julian joined KOAL’s Drive Time Sports to look forward to next season.
” We’ll have another summer program that we do. We’re going to try to get into a couple of different tournaments. I was going to try to host a few tournaments this summer, at our place, I don’t know if we will host any, but I know that we will get to a few, and our summer league. We have a summer league that we play in every Monday night, we’ll play at someplace or at home and that will get us 14 games this summer, so it will be good for us.”
Below is a recap of the 2024 season.
March 5- @ Union
After 11 months, the Spartan baseball squad was back on the field Tuesday in Roosevelt to face the Union Cougars. Holding a comfortable five-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Spartans had to hold off a scoring barrage by the Cougars to secure the 5-4 win.
The Spartans closed out the 2023 season with a 12-15 record including a 5-7 region mark. A loss to Juab would drop them into the consolation round, setting up a meeting with Ogden that ended the Spartans season.
In the top of the second Turner Stoker got on base after being hit by a pitch. The next batter up was Trevin Gilbert who sent a single to left field advancing Stoker to second, Braxton Butler would enter the game as a courtesy runner for Gilbert. With two outs on the board, Hayden Abrams would reach on a passed third strike, and Butler would score on an error by the catcher.
Things would get quiet until the top of the sixth when the Spartans would get things rolling again when Hayden Christiansen and Stoker smacked back-to-back singles. Then with Stoker on first and Christiansen on second Gilbert would bunt out to the pitcher allowing Christiansen to score. Trygg Jensen came to the plate sending a double to center as Quayd Oveson crossed the plate, putting the score at 3-0.
With two outs in the top of the seventh and with Alex Hansen on second base Stoker would earn a walk and in the next at-bat, Gilbert sent a grounder to the second basemen reaching on an error that allowed Hansen and Butler to score, pushing the score to 5-0. Things would get a little tense in the bottom of the seventh when the Cougars rallied to put four runs on the board, but Emery was able to shut them down earning the 5-4 win.
Jensen had a pair of hits and collected an RBI for the Spartans. Abrahms, Christiansen, Stoker, Gilbert, Wade Stilson, and Kade Larsen all collected hits in the win.
On the mound, Gilbert earned the win going five innings giving up just one hit and striking out six. Stoker went 1.1 innings giving up four runs on one hit fanning a pair of batters. Stilson would come in to collect the save striking out two for the Spartans.
March 8 & 9- Pine View Tournament- St. George
The Emery Spartans continued the early season schedule with a four-game trip to St. George Friday and Saturday.
Playing two games each of the two days, the Spartans split each double-header, finishing the weekend with a 2-2 mark.
The weekend started as Emery ended on the wrong side of the scoreboard of a back-and-forth tilt, falling short of the Grantsville Cowboys with a 5-4 setback.
Hayden Abrams was charged with the loss on the mound as he tossed three innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs. Mason Stilson worked in relief as he gave up just two hits against 12 batters.
Kade Larsen led the way offensively as he finished 1-2 at the plate with two RBIs. Mason Stilson, Trygg Jensen and Peyton Alton all ended with one RBI. Wade Stilson was the lone Spartan to record multiple hits as he finished 2-4.
The Spartans responded with a win in its second game of the day, using a late offensive surge to top Hunter 5-1, moving to 2-1 overall on the season.
Hayden Christiansen tossed 4.1 innings of solid baseball, fanning 10 batters and not allowing a single hit. Kade Larsen went 2.2 innings giving up just one earned run, while striking out three.
With the game tied 1-1 entering the fifth frame, the Spartans took advantage with one run. Emery continued to create distance as the team plated three more runs in the sixth inning to take control for good.
Larsen was once again dynamic at the plate as he finished 1-3 with two RBIs. Mason Stilson and Wade Stilson both brought in one run, while Trygg Jensen crossed home plate twice.
The Spartans returned to the field Saturday falling for the second time in three games, this time suffering a 7-1 loss to West Jordan.
The two teams put forth a defensive battle through four innings as the game was tied 1-1. West Jordan broke lose by scoring six runs over the final two innings.
Alex Hansen, Wade Stilson and Garrett Conover all saw time on the mound. Stilson produced a standout performance as he logged six strikeouts and gave up just one earned run.
As a team the Spartans produced five hits, two of which came from Mason Stilson as he finished 2-4. Hayden Abrams went 1-3 with a triple, and scored the team’s only run.
The weekend came to end with a dominating performance as the Spartans blasted through Cedar 10-3.
Offensively Emery was explosive throughout the game as they scored runs in each of the first five innings. Mason Stilson closed out a stellar weekend with a perfect 4-4 performance at the plate. Stilson brought in three runs and scored twice to help Emery run away with a win.
Wade Stilson continued his consistent looks in the box as he finished 3-4 with one RBI. Hayden Abrams and Beau Stilson both secured two hits.
Turner Stoker paced Emery on the mound as he allowed eight hits, three earned runs and struck out four over five innings. Trygg Jensen logged two innings of work as he struck out two and allowed one hit.
March 11- vs. Uintah
Emery Spartan baseball was back on the field on Monday to face the Uintah Utes in Castle Dale for the home opener. Uintah scored all of their runs in the first inning and their defense held the Spartans to four runs, as the Utes handed Emery their third loss of the young season 7-4
The Spartans returned from St. George last weekend after taking part in the Pinveiw Tournament. Emery went 2-2 over the two days.
Uintah jumped out in the first inning putting up seven total runs and causing a pitching change for the Spartans in the process. Gavin Bernard who would take the loss for Emery was replaced by Garrett Conover.
In the bottom of the fifth, after Mason Stilson would drive in Trevin Gilbert to score Emery’s first run. With one out and Wade Stilson at the plate, Mason Stilson would score off of an error by the third basemen, then Wade Stilson would send a sacrifice fly to right that would allow Hayden Christiansen to cross home plate and make the score 7-3.
Wade Stilson came back up in the bottom of the seventh and sent a grounder to second base and reached after an error by the second basemen that also allowed Mason Stilson to score, moving the score to 7-4.
Gilbert added three hits and a run scored, Mason Stilson added a pair of hits with two runs and an RBI.
Bernard went 0.1 innings surrendering seven runs, six earned, on three hits and striking out one. Conover went 5.2 innings giving up one hit and striking out seven, Mason Stilson came into the contest putting in one inning of work and giving up one hit.
March 15 & 16- Grand Invitational- Moab
Emery Baseball was back on the road over the weekend in Moab for the Grand County Invitational. Teams from Utah and Colorado competed and the Spartans earned a 3-1 record over the two-day tournament.
The Spartans have a 6-4 record with one of the losses coming over the weekend against San Juan. They have also logged losses against Grantsville, West Jordan, and Uintah.
The weekend’s opening game against Montezuma Creek saw Emery jump out to a 6-0 lead after two innings behind a pair of triples from Wade Stilson who collected five RBIs on two hits and scored three. But the Spartans found an extra gear in the top of the fifth.
With one out and three on Hayden Abrams stepped up to the plate and smacked a double to right field bringing in Hayden Christiansen and Stilson, pushing the score to 13-1. The Spartans added four more runs in the inning and gave up just one more in the bottom of the fifth to take the 17-2 win.
Six Spartans collected multiple hits in the contest. Kade Larsen posted three RBIs, and Mason Stilson and Christiansen both added three runs scored each.
On the mound Wade Stilson got the start and the win going three giving up one earned run on two hits, striking out one, and Turner Stoker went two with one run and struck out two.
In Friday’s second and final game, the Spartans faced the Braves from North Summit. This was another game that Emery would close out early taking the 13-2 win.
North Summit got on the board first putting up a pair of runs in the first. Emery came back in the bottom of the second posting seven runs in the inning. With two outs and the score 5-2, Treven Gilbert came up to the plate and sent a line drive to left, and Wade Stilson and Mason Stilson both scored pushing their lead to 7-2. Emery went on to add another five runs in the third and added one more for good measure in the fourth to lock down the 13-2 win.
Wade Stilson and Tyce Larsen each collected three hits and both had a pair of RBIs for the Spartan. Gilbert added a pair of hits and RBIs, as did Mason Stilson.
On the mound, Abrams went three innings giving up two runs on one hit while striking out eight. Christiansen came in to put in two innings of work giving up one run and struck out four.
The opening game on Saturday was the first game which the Spartans had difficulty with, San Juan.
The Broncos got on the board first 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Emery couldn’t hit San Juan pitching collecting only a pair of hits, and San Juan did just enough to collect the 3-1 win.
Stoker collected both of Emery’s hits and scored their only run in the loss.
On the mound, Garrett Conover took the loss going four innings giving up three hits, three runs, two earned, and struck out nine. Mason Stilson closed it out by giving up one hit.
In the final game of the weekend, the Spartans faced host team Grand, in a close one, Emery took the 5-4 win.
The first two innings were quiet for both teams. Emery would finally get on the board in the third with a pair of runs and then followed that up in the fourth with three more with two of them coming off of a single from Larsen to center, driving in Peyton Alton and Mason Stilson.
Larsen got the start and the win, putting in four innings of work, allowing a pair of hits and striking out two. Alex Hansen went one inning and surrendered four earned runs on two hits and struck out one. And Trygg Larsen closed it out with one inning of work striking out one.
March 19- vs. Juab
Coming off a 3-1 showing in Moab at the Grand County Invitational, the Spartans welcomed the defending 3A State Champions the Juab Wasps to Castle Dale for a region tilt. Emery was unable to get their offense going as they fell to the Wasps 10-1.
The Spartans sit at 6-5 overall and 0-1 in region play.
The Wasps got on the board first putting up two runs in the opening inning. Juab wouldn’t let the Spartans get their offense going as they used three pitchers that gave up just four hits allowed one earned run and combined to strike out 15.
Juab kept the pace throughout the contest and gave up just one run to the Spartans in the fourth inning when Turner Stoker sent a ground ball to the shortstop driving in Wade Stilson scoring the Spartans only run, as they would fall 10-1 in the contest.
Stilson collected a pair of hits in the game. Kade Larsen and Peyton Alton each had one hit in the loss.
Trevin Gilbert got the start on the mound and took the loss, going 4.1 innings, giving up eight hits, six runs, five earned while striking out three. Hayden Abrams went 2.2 surrendering three hits and giving up four runs, three earned, and struck out two.
March 21- @ South Sevier
Spartan baseball traveled to Monroe to face the South Sevier Rams on Thursday for a non-region contest. Emery was shut out until the sixth inning when they found their bats to first tie the game up, and then get the victory in extra innings 7-4.
Emery moved to 7-5 on the season and 0-1 in Region 12 play with the win.
South Sevier pitching was not kind to the Spartans as they would get a runner here and there but couldn’t find a way to get them home, the Rams built a 4-0 lead by the fifth, and then Emery was able to turn Sevier’s offense off and solve the pitching riddle heading into the sixth.
The Spartans collected a pair of runs in the top of the inning and then two more in the seventh to tie the game at four runs each when Wade Stilson sent a ground ball to left scoring Trygg Jensen and Mason Stilson.
After a scoring drought for both squads in the eighth, Emery came out and put up three runs in the top of the ninth and then turned around and kept South Sevier off the board to earn the 7-4 win in nine innings.
Mason Stilson collected three hits, scored three runs, and drove one in. Wade Stilson also earned three hits with three RBIs and scored a run. Kade Larsen had one hit while driving in two runs, and Hayden Christiansen had one hit, one RBI, and scored a run in the Spartan win.
Turner Stoker got the start on the mound for Emery, putting in 2.2 innings of work surrendering four hits and four earned runs. Wade Stilson went the rest of the way earning the win allowing no hits and striking out 13.
March 26- Delta (Double header)
The Emery Spartans earned their first region win of the season, sweeping a home double-header with the Delta Rabbits Tuesday afternoon.
Playing in the lone double-header of the season, the Spartans made quick work of Delta with two lopsided wins. The first game ended in five innings with a 17-0 win, followed by a 10-2 win to close out the afternoon.
“We went out picked up a couple of much needed region wins,” said manager Chase Julian. “Ultimately our goal is to win region, so we have to pick up every win that we possibly can.”
Treven Gilbert fanned five batters over five scoreless innings to earn the win on the mound. Allowing just three hits, Gilbert showcased tremendous control as he did not allow a single walk.
The Emery offense provided plenty of run support for Gilbert as they plated all 17 runs over the first three innings. Most of the damage came from Wade Stilson and Turner Stoker, who combined for 11 RBIs.
Stilson finished 3-3 at the plate, including a home run. Adding a single and double to his final line, he recorded a season-high six RBIs. Stoker also went perfect at the plate 3-3, knocking three singles on his way to five RBIs.
The offense continued to roll for Emery in the second game of the double-header, leading to another comfortable win, this time 10-2.
Turner Stoker tossed four innings on the mound, allowing just four hits and one earned run. Facing 17 batters, Stoker walked just one batter and struck out seven, improving his record to 2-0 on the bump in five appearances.
Stilson continued to drive the baseball as he finished 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Gilbert knocked a single and a double as he finished 2-3 with two RBIs. As a team the Spartans combined for 10 hits.
April 1- vs. Canyon View
The Spartan baseball team started spring break on Monday by welcoming the No.2 Canyon View Falcons to Castle Dale for a region contest. Emery entered the contest with the No. 5 spot in the RPI, and while they were the first team to score, the later innings were all Canyon View as they claimed the 11-1 win in six.
On Monday, the Utah High School Activities Association released the first RPI rankings of the season. Emery owned the No. 5 spot and the Falcons sat at No. 2. With the loss the Spartans slipped to 9-6 overall moving to 2-2 in region play, and dropped to No. 6.
The Spartans put up one run in the bottom of the first when a Wade Stilson triple to center drove in Hayden Christiansen, that was the only run that Emery scored as Canyon View’s Brady Anderson would allow seven hits and just the one earned run striking out six and relying on his defense behind him to take care of the rest as the Stilson triple and Kade Larsen’s two doubles were the only extra-base hits allowed.
Stilson collected one hit and one RBI in the contest, Larsen earned two hits and Christiansen scored the only run in the Emery loss.
Turner Stoker got the start on the mound, taking the loss after four innings of work where he surrendered four hits, two earned runs, and striking out two. Garrett Conover came in going two innings with eight hits, nine runs, four earned, and striking out three.
April 2- @ Manti
The Emery Spartans were on the field and on the road Tuesday in Manti to face the Templars. In a game that needed extra innings, Emery was able to find one run more to take the 8-7 win.
The win moves the Spartans to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in region play. It also puts them back into the No. 4 spot in the latest RPI.
Emery hopped out to a three-run lead in the top of the second inning only to have Manti come back and put up three runs to take the lead. Things would get quiet throughout the third and fourth as neither team would score. The Spartans would add one run in the top of the fifth and the Templars answered in the bottom to put the score at 4-3.
In the seventh, the Spartans would add three runs from Hayden Christiansen, Wade Stilson, and Quayd Oveson to go up 7-3. Manti came back with a four-run inning to tie things up, which meant extra baseball. In the eighth, Kade Larsen stepped up to the plate with one out and the bases loaded, hitting a line drive to left field, but giving enough time for Mason Stilson to tag up and score before Manti could turn the double play to end the inning, giving the Spartans the one-run lead, that they would protect and earn the 8-7 win.
Larsen collected four hits and three RBIs for Emery, Wade Stilson had a pair of hits and two runs scored. Mason Stilson had two hits and a run scored and Tyce Larsen earned two RBIs as well in the win.
Trevin Gilbert got the start on the mound going six innings, giving up eight hits, three earned runs, and four strikeouts. Hayden Abrams gave up three hits, four runs, one earned and striking out one, and Wade Stilson came on to close out the contest surrendering one hit and struck out three.
April 5- vs. Manti
Coming off an extra-innings win on Tuesday in Manti, the Spartans welcomed the Templars to Castle Dale on Friday. In a windy outing, it was truly anybody’s game with a pair of brilliant performances on the mound for both sides, it was Emery who came away with the 3-2 over Manti, their second win over the Templars in three days.
Emery moved to 11-6 overall with the win and 4-2 in region play. With the win, Emery puts some distance between themselves at No. 5 and Manti at No. 6, plus they closed the gap between them and Juab at No. 4.
Manti got on the board in the first inning and behind the pitching of Templar ace Kayson Bailey, the Spartans struggled at the plate and the elements didn’t help either with huge wind gusts throughout the contest. Emery finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Trevin Gilbert sent a double to right field driving in Wade Stilson.
Manti would put up one more in the top of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. The Spartans would come up in the bottom of the sixth and with a swing of the bat Trygg Jensen sent a single toward second, which allowed Gilbert and Hayden Abrams to come in giving Emery the 3-2 lead. Stilson went into the top of the seventh, getting one out before he had to be taken out for his pitch count. Hayden Christiansen came in to get a ground out and strike out to take the save.
Gilbert had a pair of hits an RBI and one run scored. Jensen had the hit of the day with his game-winner driving in the final two runs.
Stilson got the start and earned the win going 6.1 innings giving up three hits, two runs, and fanned nine. Christiansen closed it out for the win.
April 9- @ North Sanpete
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.
April 11- @ Canyon View
April 12- vs. North Sanpete
The Spartan baseball team had a pair of games on Thursday and Friday. Things started on the road at Cedar City when they suffered a 12-1 loss to Canyon View. On Friday, the North Sanpete Hawks came to Castle Dale and the Spartans took the 11-2 win.
After the pair of games, the Spartans are sitting at 13-7 and 6-3 in region play. They also hold the No. 5 spot in the latest RPI.
In the contest on Thursday, the Spartans traveled to Cedar City to face the Canyon View Falcons (13-6, No. 2) in a game originally scheduled in early March.
Emery had a tough time finding offense in the contest, but the same could not be said about the Falcons, who could put runs on the board in every inning. The Spartans put one run on the board in the top of the fifth when Hayden Abrams sent a triple to center field driving in Beau Stilson to make the score 12-1. With a more than 10-run advantage, Canyon View ended the game in five innings.
Abrams had just one hit and the RBI for Emery. Trevin Gilbert and Peyton Alton each collected a hit in the loss.
On the mound Wade Stilson got the start going three innings giving up 10 hits, eight runs, six earned, and struck out two. Gilbert closed out the game going one, with two hits, four runs, two earned, and struck out one.
On Friday, the North Sanpete Hawks came to Castle Dale. Emery put runs on the board in the first five innings, and they also were able to keep the Hawks off the board for the most part, taking the 11-2 win.
North Sanpete scored a single run in the top of the first as the Spartans came back to put up a pair in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. Going into the bottom of the fourth with the score 5-2, with two outs and two on Turner Stoker stepped up to the plate sending a ground ball to right field Quayd Oveson and Gilbert would cross the plate pushing the score to 8-2.
In the fifth, Trygg Jensen would continue his great freshman season with a triple sending home Alton, The Spartans would add two more in the inning and then hold on for the win 11-2.
Hayden Christiansen had three hits and an RBI for Emery. Jensen and Stilson both had a pair of hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Tyce Larsen had a pair of hits and RBIs.
Abrams got the start and the win on the mound going four giving up two hits one earned and striking out three, Christiansen came in to close things out with three innings of work with three hits and struck out two.
April 16- @ Richfield
A seven-inning slugfest ended in favor of the Richfield Wildcats as they protected home field, defeating the Emery Spartans 13-12 Tuesday afternoon.
The two teams combined for 25 runs, 22 hits and seven errors in the first of two meetings this season. The loss drops Emery to 6-5 in region play and 13-9 overall. Richfield improves to 4-7 in division play and 5-12 on the season.
Hayden Christiansen was charged with the loss on the mound as he tossed 2.1 innings allowing four hits and five earned runs. Wade Stilson worked two innings as he gave up one earned run. Both Hayden Abrams and Trygg Jensen combined for three innings on the bump, facing 14 batters.
Both teams found rhythm at the plate early as the score was tied 2-2 at the end of the first frame. The Spartans captured a sizable 8-3 lead heading into the fourth inning, but the advantage quickly disappeared. The Wildcats plated nine runs between the fourth and fifth but could not put the Spartans away.
Trailing by four in the sixth Emery scored three runs to chop the Richfield advantage to one. Down to their final three outs, Emery scored the game tying run in the top of the seventh. Richfield won the game in walk off fashion in the bottom of the seventh to earn the one-run win.
Wade Stilson delivered a dynamic performance for the Spartans, finishing 3-5 with one RBI. While on base Stilson swiped four bags and scored three runs.
Treven Gilbert produced three RBIs as he finished 1-2 with a single and two walks. Hayden Christiansen went 1-3 with two RBIs and a walk. Turner Stoker, Hayden Abrams and Kade Larsen all brought in one run.
Tuesday’s loss marked the second in as many days for the Spartans as the team suffered a 7-2 loss Monday on the road against Juab. With only one more game on the schedule this week, Emery will look for a season series split with Richfield Friday afternoon at home.
April 19- vs. Richfield
he Emery Spartan baseball team traveled to Richfield last Tuesday and struggled through a tough 13-12 loss. Friday the Wildcats came to town and the Spartans were ready to return the favor taking the 10-0 win in region play.
Sitting at 14-9 the Spartans are down to the final week of the regular season with two games against the No.3 Carbon Dinos. Emery sits in the No. 6 spot in the RPI.
Friday the Spartans were locked and loaded as they jumped out quickly when Turner Stoker came up to the plate at the bottom of the first with two outs, and two on and sent a line drive single to center bringing in Hayden Christiansen and Wade Stilson to push the Emery lead to 3-0.
With two outs in the bottom of the second and the score 4-0, things got crazy again as Trevin Gilbert stepped up to the plate and stared down a wild pitch that allowed Stilson and Christiansen to score and give Emery a 6-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth Kade Larsen stepped up to the plate with Mason Stilson on third, and sent one deep over the wall in left field. Turner Stoker came up in the bottom of the fifth and sent his fourth pitch to left for a solo home run, taking the score to 9-0, Emery added one more run in the sixth off of a Gilbert sacrifice fly that scored Wade Stilson to end the game early at 10-0.
Stoker collected a pair of hits with a run scored and three RBIs. Mason Stilson had one hit and scored three, Christiansen had one hit and scored twice, and Larsen had one hit, scored one, and drove one in.
Wade Stilson was on the mound and earned the complete game win giving up just one hit while striking out 10.
April 23- vs. Carbon
The Spartans and the Dinos met on the diamond for the first of two games this week on Tuesday in Castle Dale. Carbon jumped out to an early lead putting up three runs in the first three innings and the Spartans put up one in the first and went silent after that as the Dinos handed them a 4-1 loss.
Emery slides to 14-10 and sits in the No. 7 spot in the RPI. The Spartans have just one game remaining, a date in Price this Friday to face the Dinos.
Carbon got on the board in the top of the first when Cameron Vasquez stepped up to the plate sending a double to right field that allowed Deagan Richards to score. Emery’s only run came off the bat of Wade Stilson in the bottom of the inning when he grounded out to short, allowing Mason Stilson to score after he reached base on a triple.
Carbon came out scoring in the next two innings to take the 3-1 lead, then the next three were very quiet until the top of the seventh when Peyton Molinar stepped up to the plate with one on and sent a line drive to right field that would drive in Rydge Butler. to get the insurance run that the Dinos needed. Carbon held the Spartans in check in the bottom of the inning to take the 4-1 win.
Mason Stilson had one run and scored one for the Spartans as Wade Stilson had an RBI. Kade Larsen, Hayden Abrams, and Peyton Alton all collected one hit each for Emery in the loss.
Turner Stoker took the loss for the Spartans going four innings giving up six hits, three earned runs, and struck out four. Trevin Gilbert came in and went three with two hits, one run, and fanned one.
For Carbon Maizen Prichard had a pair of hits and one run scored. Molinar, Jace Barlow, and Vasquez each had one hit and one RBI, and Butler collected two hits, scored one, and earned one RBI in the win.
Michael Vigil got the start and the win going five innings giving up three hits, one earned run, and striking out four. Paxton Falk came in and earned the save putting in two innings worth of work with one hit and struck out two.
April 26- @ Carbon
A late venue swap and high winds added drama to Friday’s rivalry matchup as the Carbon Dinos completed a season-series sweep over the Emery Spartans with a 4-2 win in Castle Dale.
The second meeting between the two teams was scheduled to take place at Carbon High School. Rain throughout the morning and early afternoon forced the game to be moved to Emery High School, marking the second meeting in four days between the two teams on Emery’s diamond.
“Our field was playable, but if we had gotten any more rain, we wouldn’t have been able to play,” said Carbon manager Rob Smith. “Emery hadn’t had rain all day and we wanted to get the game in, so we decided to move it down here.”
The chaos, uncertainty and weather did not affect Carbon pitcher Maizen Prichard in the least. Fresh off a 12-strikeout performance against Manti last week, Prichard was sharp again as he fanned 15 batters and allowed just five hits in a complete game performance.
Giving up one run in the top of the first inning, Prichard was nearly flawless the rest of the way. Working an array of pitches, Prichard held the top five batters in Emery’s lineup to 3-13 combined at the plate, with eight strikeouts.
“Maizen is throwing really well the last few outings,” said Smith. “He had 12 strikeouts last game and 15 this game. I’ve told him to go throw strikes and not waste pitches. He’s throwing around the zone and allowing our defense to make plays.”
Emery also received an outstanding pitching performance as senior Wade Stilson matched Prichard with a complete game. Giving up just five hits, Stilson recorded nine strikeouts and walked just one batter. Two of the four runs scored against Stilson were unearned.
The Spartans took an early lead in the top of the first inning as Treven Gilbert scored Mason Stilson from third base on a sacrifice to left field. The Dinos immediately responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, as Jace Barlow scored Peyton Molinar on single to right field.
Carbon captured its first lead of the game in the bottom of the second inning after taking advantage of multiple Emery mistakes. With one out in the frame, Logan Bennett reached safely on a dropped third strike. Bennett would cross home plate moments later off a throwing error, giving the Dinos a 2-1 lead.
Following a scoreless third inning, the Spartans climbed even with Carbon as Braxton Butler scored on a Hayden Abrams single. Carbon again immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning. Representing the go-ahead run in the fourth, Michael Vigil reached safely with a walk. Back-to-back stolen bases put the important run on third. A two-out error led to a run for Carbon, breaking the tie for good. Vigil added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth off an RBI single from Bennett.
Down to their final three outs, the Spartans threatened Carbon in the top of the seventh inning. Abrams started a potential rally with a leadoff triple, putting the tying run in the batter’s box. Prichard respond with three straight strikeouts to preserve the win.
“Our boys came out swinging, ready to go and had great approaches,” Smith said when asked about the Carbon offense. “Wade (Stilson) is a great pitcher, and we knew that coming into the game. We knew we had to score some runs, so you have to hand it to our hitters.”
May 2 & 3- Opening round- American Leadership Academy
The Emery Spartans dominated the American Leadership Academy Eagles 19-1 in Game 2, sweeping the Super Regionals series Friday afternoon in Castle Dale.
Returning to the field a day after earning an 8-0 win, the Spartans avoided the decisive Game 3 by scoring 13 runs in the second inning. The final three frames were a formality as the Spartans closed the show in five innings.
“Our boys came to play. As a coaching staff we told them this is the time to show up,” said manager Chase Julian. “I felt like we finally put a whole game together. Pitching, defensively and at the plate, it was great to see.”
It took Turner Stoker just 70 pitches to work through 4.2 innings as he earned the win on the mound. Stoker fanned three batters and allowed just four hits and one earned run in the performance. Peyton Alton closed out the game for Emery in relief.
Stoker received immediate run support from the Emery offense. As a team the Spartans collected 19 hits.
“Hitting is so weird, but in high school baseball hitting is just contagious,” said Julian. “You can get a whole team going with just one swing. I thought we all had good approaches and it led to some great things.”
Hayden Abrams finished 4-4 at the plate with five RBIs and one triple. Treven Gilbert ended 3-4 with one RBI and Wade Stilson logged two hits and three RBIs. The 19-run outburst was the highest single game total for the Spartans this season.
The Super Regionals sweep puts Emery in the final eight of the 3A State Tournament, which will resume on Monday. The Spartans will now square off with No. 1 Grantsville as the tournament shifts to a traditional double-elimination format.
“We’ve seen them once early in the season and we know they are a really good team,” said Julian. “I felt like errors hurt us in that early game with Grantsville. We gave up five runs, but only two were earned. So, we have to limit mistakes and that will give us a good chance.”
May 6- @ Grantsville
The Emery High School Spartans made the trip to Larry H. Miller Field at Brigham Young University for the 3A state playoffs to face off against the top-seeded Grantsville Cowboys on Monday night. The Spartans found themselves playing spoiler to Grantsville, coming away with the 9-7 win.
Through the first six innings, it was all Emery, with senior Wade Stilson doing it all for the Spartans. Starting on the mound, Stilson had a dominant performance, ending the day with 10 strikeouts compared to only two walks and one hit batter.
Stilson’s performance continued on offense, tallying two runs and going three for three at the plate along with a walk and two RBIs. Senior Peyton Alton also had a fantastic day, going four for four at the plate including a RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth.
Finding themselves down 9-1 going into the final frame, Grantsville’s bats came alive, forcing the Spartans to make two pitching changes. First, it was senior Mason Stilson taking the mound to try and close out the game, but a furious Cowboy rally made it a 9-6 ballgame, forcing another change to junior Treven Gilbert.
Gilbert would give up one more run to Grantsville before facing the Cowboy’s leading hitter senior Stratton Orgill who represented the winning run with two out on the inning. Gilbert would come up clutch and strikeout Orgill, ending the game and giving the Spartans the 9-7 victory.
May 7- vs. Canyon View
The Emery High Spartans returned to Larry H. Miller Field on the campus of Brigham Young University to take on a familiar foe in the Canyon View Falcons in the 2nd round of the 3A state tournament on May 7, 2024. The Spartans would go the distance but ultimately fall to the Falcons 4-3.
Through the first two innings, both teams were held scoreless. But in the top of the third senior Kade Larsen hit a shot into deep left field leading to two runs being scored for the Spartans. But Emery wouldn’t stop there, as junior pinch runner Quayd Oveson stole home off a wild pitch from Falcons senior Jaxon Jensen giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
Canyon View answered back almost immediately thanks to an RBI double from junior Asher Slack. The tides continued to turn in the Falcon’s favor with junior Trenton Ludlow taking home plate off a wild pitch from senior Turner Stoker. A RBI single from sophomore Zach Maine would knot the game up at three apiece at the end of the third inning.
Following a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, Canyon View would get the offense going again in the bottom of the fifth, with Ludlow hitting a single, and then stealing every base all the way home giving the Falcons a 4-3 lead.
Canyon View protected that lead for the remainder of the game, with Jensen throwing the complete game while tossing 11 strikeouts and coming away with the 4-3 win on the mound.
May 8- Morgan
After a loss on Tuesday, May 7, the Emery Spartans moved into the one-loss bracket where they took on the Morgan Trojans with a chance to advance to the semifinals of the 3A state tournament. The Spartans would be in control until the bottom of the seventh where they fell to the Trojans 6-5.
Senior Wade Stilson was spectacular for Emery, ending the day a perfect three for three at the plate to go along with five steals, bringing his season total to 42 which is good for the most in the state.
Junior Treven Gilbert, despite coming away with the loss, had an excellent day on the mound, striking out two and walking only one while holding the Trojans scoreless until the sixth inning.
Emery got things started in the top of the second inning, with seniors Turner Stoker and Mason Stilson and sophomore Beau Stilson making their way home to give the Spartans an early 3-0 lead.
The Spartans would increase that lead in the top of the third when Mason Stilson reached home off a single from senior Kade Larsen making it a 4-0 ballgame.
Emery would tack one more run on in the top of the fifth when Stoker struck an RBI single that brought home junior Hayden Abrams which made it 5-0 in favor of the Spartans.
But disaster struck in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Morgan sophomores Kanyon Leoneli and Luke Baurele finding home plate, helping start the Trojan rally and ending the inning 5-2.
The nail in the coffin for Emery would come in the bottom of the seventh, first, it was Tryker Jones making it home for Morgan to make it 5-3. Then Emery faced a similar situation to what they saw against Grantsville in the opening round; with the bases loaded and the opposing team’s best hitter at the plate. Unfortunately this time the cards would not fall in the favor of the Spartans as Baurele would play hero and smoke a ball into the center field gap and bring home three runners to give Morgan the 6-5 win.