The No. 4 Emery Lady Spartans protected their home field in the opening round of the 3A state tournament by toppling No. 13 Canyon View 8-5 Saturday afternoon in Castle Dale.

Kallee Lake pitched a complete game, gave up just six hits and three earned runs in the win. Facing 29 batters, Lake struck out six and allowed only two walks. Limiting the Falcons’ offense to runs in only two innings, Lake received plenty of run support in the win.

Trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the second, the Emery bats came alive as the Lady Spartans plated six runs to capture the lead for good.

Bailey Luke set the tone offensively for Emery, finishing 1-3 at the plate with three RBIs and a home run. Elli Stoker ended 2-3 with two RBIs and a double.

Emery overwhelmed Canyon View pitcher Elli John, who surrendered eight hits, seven of which went for extra bases.

Katelyn Nielson ended 1-3 with a triple and one RBI. Lake helped her own cause, too, bringing in a run and finishing 2-3 with a double.

Saturday’s win keeps Emery out of the one-loss bracket and on the cleanest path to the 3A State Championship.

Now just one win away from the quarterfinals, Emery will prepare to meet No. 5 South Summit Thursday morning at the Spanish Fork Softball Complex.

A win over South Summit would place the Lady Spartans against either No. 1 Grantsville or No. 8 North Sanpete on Friday morning. A loss would send Emery to the bottom of the bracket, forcing them to play an elimination game Thursday evening.

View the complete 3A bracket HERE.