Kade Dimick pitched a complete game for Helper in game one on Wednesday in Springville. He only allowed one run in the contest, helping the Merchants to continue their winning streak although their bats struggled.
“We definitely didn’t play the way we are capable of playing, [but] Kade pitched really strong and put us in a good situation to win,” said head coach Dakota Cisneros. “He threw a lot of strikes and battled the heat all day.”
It was a tough game for the Merchants, who only managed four hits. Two of those four came from Kaleb Nelson who accounted for every Helper run with two RBIs and one run scored. Helper sneaked out the 3-1 victory behind Dimick’s solid start and Nelson’s timely hitting.
Game two against Springville was much like the first. The Merchants relied heavily on their starter, Jaxon Carlisle, to keep the game close. Carlisle was up for the task as he followed up Dimick’s great performance with one of his own. He shutdown Springville and pitched a complete game shutout, only allowing two hits and three walks during those seven innings.
“[Jaxon] kept the Springville hitters off balance. He put us in a great situation to win [and] definitely did his part on the mound for us,” Cisneros said.
Cody Lowe went 2-3 with an RBI and one run scored. Nelson added another RBI on the day and again Helper made its four hits count to grab the 2-0 win. Although Cisneros is happy with the wins, he knows the batting has to improve.
“Our bats struggled again in this game,” he said. “Our biggest struggle right now is our hitting and it showed in both of these games. My guys are capable of much more than they are producing. I believe if we can stay open minded and make a couple adjustments, then we will get back on track and we will be scoring runs like we were early in the season.”
Thursday’s home game against Herriman will be one that players and fans will not soon forget as it took a game and a half to finish this one. Cody Lowe started on the mound for Helper without his best stuff.
“He walked nine guys, which hurt us and gave them free baserunners. But overall, he battled hard on the mound for us and did a great job after a rocky first inning,” commented Cisneros. Lowe allowed four runs in the game but still was able to last 6 2/3 innings.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, JP Powell came through with a huge two-out single to tie the game at three. The Merchants surrendered another run in the top of the seventh to go into the bottom half with their backs against the wall. With one out and no one on, Dimick hit what Cisneros called a “monster” shot that hit a light pole in the outfield. It should have been called a home run, which would have tied the game, but instead it was ruled a double. Ty Anderson added to the drama when he came through for the Merchants with his third hit of the contest to score Dimick and tie the game at four.
Cayden Steele was solid out of the bullpen, lasting 2 1/3 innings while only giving up one hit. Nathan Richens came in to pitch the 10th and did not allow any hits in his two innings of relief.
“Our pitchers did a great job against a great team. I thought we worked extremely hard all the way around. I was very proud of our defense and pitching,” said Cisneros.
Cooper Schade led off the bottom of the 11th with a single and eventually came all the way around to score as the Merchants broke through to win, 5-4. Schade ended the day going 3-5 with two doubles and two runs scored.
“This was by far our most exciting game of the season. I was happy with the way we competed. My guys dug deep late in the game to fight and find a way to win this game.” Cisneros concluded, “Our hitting was much better than it has been lately. Our approach and swings were much improved. I thought we did a nice job of good pitching. I am very proud of my guys and that was a big win over a solid Herriman team.”
The Merchants will play at Pleasant Grove on Tuesday at 7 p.m. before they head back home to host a doubleheader on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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- Photos by Jeff Barrett. Helper vs Herriman
