Tough loss to Union ends Spartan’s stay in tournament

By Patsy Stoddard

The Emery Spartans fought a tough battle on Thursday at the state tournament. They were in the one loss bracket and needed to win the game to stay alive in the tournament.
The Union Cougars and the Spartans both had the lead during the game. The Spartans had the last bats but couldn’t get across enough runs to keep the game going. The final score was 10 to 12.
In the first inning Brax Jensen had a base hit. Kyson Stilson struck out and Koda Alton had a fly ball to short to end the inning and leave Brax Jensen on base.
In the second inning Colton Willson was hit by a pitch to get on base. Jesse Barnett struck out at the plate followed by Bron Gordon with a base hit. Jared Snow hit a double which scored Wilson and Gordon. Kyson Stilson ground out to first base and Rance Jensen also struck out in the inning. Snow was left on base.
The third inning was big for the Spartans. Jensen grounded out to short stop. Easton Gordon hit a double and eventually scored. Koda Alton was walked and Willson had a base hit which he stretched into a double due to an overthrown ball at first base.
Barnett hit a double and a past ball at home scored Willson. Bron Gordon struck out. Rance Jensen had a base hit which scored Teigan Christman who was a speed-up runner for Barnett. Snow had a base hit which scored Rance Jensen. The inning ended with a fly-out to right field by Kyson Stilson.
In the fourth inning Brax Jensen grounded out to first base. Easton Gordon had a walk. Koda Alton also walked. Kolton Willson had a fly ball that was caught. Barnett had a walk. Bron Gordon ground out to first base for the third out which left the bases loaded.
In the fifth inning Rance Jensen ground out to first base. Jared Snow struck out and Kyson Stilson had a base hit, but was left hanging on the base when Brax Jensen struck out.
The sixth inning saw the Spartans out quickly with a ground out by Easton Gordon and Koda Alton and Willson had a fly out.
The seventh inning was the final chance for the Spartans as they were behind five runs going up for their last at bat.
Barnett had a base hit and Bron Gordon had a base hit. Rance Jensen had a strike out. Snow hit a double which scored Barnett’s runner. Kyson Stilson had a base hit which scored Bron Gordon. Easton Gordon had a base hit but the runner going to second was out. Koda Alton grounded out to first to end the game by a score of 10-12. There were three pitchers in the game for Emery including Easton Gordon, Koda Alton and Cade Brazier. The Spartans will lose three seniors to graduation including Easton Gordon, Colton Willson and Jared Snow.
Please note:  There is a gallery of photos and video of this game also on the website.