The Emery Spartans broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third inning to take the lead they would never relinquish against the Manti Templars Wednesday afternoon, taking the non-region matchup 5-3.
Logan Labrum singled to right field in the bottom of the third inning to advance Easton Gordon to third, after Gordon reached first on a hit-by-pitch to begin the inning. Gordon would then score the first run of the game on a passed ball to take the 1-0 lead. Race Nielsen then singled to left, scoring Labrum. Zach Jorgensen tallied a third-straight hit for the Spartans, putting base runners on first and second. After a Koda Alton walk to load the bases, Nielsen scored the third Emery run on another passed ball.
After Manti scored a run in the top of the fourth, Emery plated two more runs in the fourth to round out the scoring on its end. Jordan Balletka led off the fourth with a single and advanced to third on two balls that reached the backstop. Gordon then flied out to center, scoring Balletka on the sac fly. After a Manti pitcher swap following a walk to Labrum, Nielsen bunted him to second for the sacrifice. After another passed ball got Labrum to third, Tel Gardner doubled him home on a deep shot to left field.
Balletka and Labrum each had two hits in the game. Gordon, Nielsen and Gardner had the only RBIs in the game with one apiece. Nielsen also went the distance on the mound, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out six.
Emery (11-3, 2-1 2A East) will host Monticello on Friday. The Spartans beat the Buckaroos 17-2 on Tuesday in Monticello.
