For the second consecutive season, the Emery Lady Spartans worked through the one-loss bracket to reach the 3A state championship game. Unable to slay the giant, Emery again fell to the defending state champion Grantsville Cowboys.

After suffering a one-run loss to Grantsville on Friday, the Lady Spartans secured back-to-back shutout wins over Richfield and South Summit to advance to the semifinals on Saturday afternoon. To advance into the championship, Emery had to get past the No. 2 seed, the Morgan Trojans.

Down to their final six outs, Emery rallied for a four-run inning sparked by RBIs from Katelyn Nielson and Aleeyah Cowley, leading to a 4-3 victory. Kallee Lake closed the show in the seventh, converting another complete game to put the Lady Spartans two wins away from the ultimate prize.

Unfortunately for Emery, the momentum built in the semifinals did not carry over into the title game. Grantsville completed its second three-peat in eight years, defeating the Lady Spartans 11-1 in six innings.

Despite getting a runner into scoring position early, Grantsville pitcher Hayden Bytheway kept Emery scoreless for the first five innings. Bytheway tossed a gem on the biggest stage, allowing only five hits and one run, while sitting down eight batters.

Trailing 8-0 in the fifth inning, Emery finally got on the scoreboard as senior Kali Jensen laced a single to score Cowley.

Grantsville ended the game in the ensuing inning when Payten Bytheway sparked a three-run frame with a two-RBI double. Addison Durfee ended the game with a walk-off single, scoring Bytheway and securing the Cowboys’ third straight championship.

Saturday’s runner-up finish puts the finishing touches on a highly successful season for the Lady Spartans. Ending the regular season as Region 12 champions with a 12-2 record and 22-13 overall, Emery entered the 3A state tournament as the No. 4 seed.