Calvin Jensen, Sports Information Director, Utah State Eastern
Photo courtesy of Dallin Grant
Utah State Eastern came within three outs of forcing a decisive Game 3 in the SWAC Region 18 Championship. Still, a late surge and extra-inning heroics by Salt Lake Community College pushed the Bruins to a 9-8 win in Game 1 and a 7-2 victory in Game 2 to claim the best-of-three series and the Region 18 title at Cate Field.
Despite the series loss, the Eagles still have life. Later this week, they will compete in the NJCAA Rocky Mountain District Tournament, with a shot at advancing to the NJCAA World Series on the line.
The series opener was a rollercoaster that saw both teams trade punches across ten innings. Utah State Eastern jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning behind a towering three-run homer from McGwire Jephson, who finished with 4 RBI’s in the contest.
After building a 6-4 lead by the sixth inning, the Eagles were haunted by Salt Lake CC slugger Chandler Reber, who launched two home runs—including a game-tying two-run shot in the sixth—and eventually stole home in the 10th for the walk-off win. Reber finished with 5 RBIs and two stolen bases, capping one of the most dominant performances of the tournament.
Eastern also got offensive boosts from Jake Lindsay (3-for-5, RBI) and Hunter Gatti (2-for-5, RBI), while reliever Dagen Gammell (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs over 2.1 innings.
Looking to bounce back in Game 2, USU Eastern struck first with an RBI single from Gatti in the fourth and a run-scoring double by Bodee Goins in the sixth. But the Bruins answered swiftly and never let up.
Luke Jacobs hit a game-tying solo homer in the sixth, and a pair of errors and fielders’ choices helped SLCC post a three-run inning that shifted the momentum permanently. Jacobs finished with two runs, two walks, and two stolen bases.
Starting pitcher Austin Taylor was key for the Bruins, tossing eight innings of two-run (zero earned), eight-hit baseball, while Easton Davies closed the door in the ninth.
Eastern starter Kade Hansen (6 IP, 4 R, 3 ER) pitched well through five but ran into trouble in the sixth. Reliever Harley Vicchrilli allowed three runs over two innings in relief.
Despite the sting of the series defeat, USU Eastern’s season continues. The Eagles will compete in the NJCAA Rocky Mountain District Tournament at Cate Field in West Jordan. Eastern will face Northeastern Junior College at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. For the official bracket and more information on the tournament, go to www.scenicwestsports.com.