Fighting to stay alive in the 3A state tournament, the Emery Spartans took the diamond on Wednesday, May 14. Conjuring feelings of déjà vu, Emery again faced the Morgan Trojans, a team whom the Spartans defeated 10-3 Monday evening to open bracket play. Again Emery would emerge victorious 7-5, setting up a second showdown with the top seeded Canyon View Falcons. 

In a second showdown with Canyon View, the Spartans played the Falcons close but found their bats coming up short as they were eliminated in a 2-0 defensive showdown.

Morgan

Both teams were held scoreless through the first, but the Trojans drew first blood in the bottom of the second. Junior Cooper Stuart would send a line drive to left field, bringing home sophomore Owen Gilson and placing himself on second base with the double. Kanyon Leonelli would follow this up by hitting into a fielder’s choice that allowed Stuart to cross home plate and give Morgan the 2-0 lead.

Emery answered back in the top of the Third, a rally kicked off by a Beau Stilson fielder’s choice and subsequent steal of second base. Trygg Jensen would capitalize on this momentum, sending a shot to left field and bringing Stilson home, making it a 2-1 ballgame.

Morgan’s offense didn’t slow down in the bottom of the third. A wild pitch set up an RBI single courtesy of Easton Venz, which allowed Luke Baurele to score. The Spartans’ defense was able to limit the damage, but nonetheless, the Trojans entered the fourth with a 3-1 advantage.

Not wanting to fall behind, Emery’s offense exploded for a five-run top of the fourth, a flurry started with a Trevin Gilbert double to bring freshman Brek Griffin across the threshold. Emery would knot the game at three apiece off a Garrett Conover double to bring Gilbert home. Emery would take the lead for the first time off a Morgan error that allowed Conover to score. 

This lead would increase further when Jensen picked up two more RBIs on the day, sending a triple to center field that brought home Peyton Neilson and Stilson, and gave Emery a 6-3 lead entering the bottom of the fourth. 

Morgan rallied back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two runs and putting pressure on the Spartans for the remainder of the game.

Neither team scored until the seventh, when Tyce Larsen slammed a single to bring home Hayden Sitterud, giving Emery a 7-5 lead, which they held until the end of the contest.

Jensen led the way for Emery, ending the contest with two hits and three RBIs. Gilbert collected one hit, one RBI and scored one run. Zander Robinson came away with the win on the mound, going 3.2 innings, giving up one hit and striking out two. 

With the win, Emery advanced to again face Canyon View. 

Canyon View

It was a defensive gem as the Spartans met the Falcons. Fresh off the win against the Trojans, Robinson threw a complete game, halting a potent Canyon View offense that, up to this game, had put the mercy rule on every team they faced in the tournament.

The difference maker in the elimination game was a single error by the Spartans in the bottom of the second inning. The error allowed Jarron Bradshaw to cross home plate and Price Atwood to reach base. Two batters later, Atwood would score a run and elevate the Falcons to a 2-0 lead.

Neither team could score after the second inning, with Robinson going a full six innings while only allowing three hits and no walks. For Canyon View, Chandler McClellan would toss six innings, giving up two hits, three walks, and striking out five in the 2-0 win.

With the loss, the Spartans’ season has come to a close with a top-four finish and a 12-19 record.

Castle Country Radio would like to congratulate the Spartans on their season and wish the squad’s seniors good luck in their future endeavors.