A big fifth inning lifted the Carbon Dinos past the Emery Spartans 5-3 Friday afternoon, earning a season-series sweep in the process, in Castle Dale.
Stockton Kennedy pitched five strong innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven to earn the win. Paxton Falk earned a six-out save, preventing the Spartans from forcing extra innings.
“We played well, and we have to hand it to Emery because they gave us a challenge for two great baseball games,” said manager Rob Smith, following the win on Friday afternoon. “Stockton had an awesome game, as he has all year. He came out, did his job, and gave us an opportunity to win, then Paxton came out and closed the game down.”
The Dinos never trailed, taking an early lead as Rydge Butler scored the game’s first run on a passed ball in the top of the first inning. Carbon extended its advantage to two as Maddex Willson laced an RBI single to score Logan Bennett in the third.
Hitless for the first two innings, the Spartans finally received a spark as Beau Stilson beat the tag with a head-first slide into third for a triple. Stilson scored the first run for Emery moments later, also on a passed ball.
The score remained 2-1 until the Dinos broke through in the fifth inning with three runs. The rally started with back-to-back singles from Wilson and Logan Madrigal. Tyrus Madsen and Kanon Childs each laced doubles on the ensuing at-bats, extending the lead to 5-1.
Emery’s most productive inning followed in the bottom half of the fifth, scoring two runs. Stilson and Garrett Conover delivered sacrifice RBIs, scoring Bronx Olsen and Payton Nielson.
Needing two runs to force an extra frame, the Spartans had life as Olsen reached with a one-out single. Falk then recorded a strikeout and a pop-up to record the final two outs, leaving one runner stranded.
Friday’s win gives Carbon a final region record of 8-6 and a 10-13 overall record. The Dinos will now play the waiting game, as the final RPI and 3A state tournament bracket will be released next week.
The loss moves Emery 3-10 in Region 12 play and 7-17 overall. The Spartans will wrap up the regular season on Monday with a division tilt against North Sanpete in Mount Pleasant.