Helper and Price American Legion teams participated in the annual Helper tournament Friday through Sunday. Helper went 3-1 and lost in the championship game against PCH Baseball, while Price went 1-2.
Price took on Herriman Friday in the 5:15 p.m. game. Steven Zamantakis started on the mound in the team’s 16-6 loss. Kellen Trujillo doubled and singled in the game. Caden Sherman also chipped in two singles in the loss.
Helper then took on Idaho Falls in the nightcap and exploded for 16 runs in the 16-6 win.
Both teams were back at it Saturday. Price took on St. George at 2:30 and fell 4-2. Zac Hathaway went the distance on the mound and got two more hits from Trujillo. Helper followed and got a big 9-5 win against Uintah. Helper then turned around and took on PCH (Pitching, Catching and Hitting) Baseball out of Ogden in the last game of the day. Helper slipped past the team 8-7 to remain undefeated in the tournament.
Price kicked off Sunday’s action with a 9 a.m. matchup against Idaho Falls. Price starting pitcher Sherman took the mound and delivered a no-hitter, the first ever by a Price American Legion pitcher. In the 8-0 win, Sherman also added two RBIs on a double and single. Dillon Lowe was a home run short of the cycle with a triple, double and a single. He also chipped in three RBIs in the game. Chris Herrera also singled twice and added a RBI.
“Sherman’s confidence and poise was outstanding,” said Price Manager Willie Ellington.
Helper and PCH squared off in the championship game at 4:30. Like Helper the night before, PCH was able to get past the home team by a slim one-run margin, 9-8 to capture championship honors.
“We would like to have won the tournament,” said Helper Manager Jeff Cisneros. “But we played well.”
Jarod Lessar, Colton Greener and Bryce Blackburn garnered all-tournament honors.
“I was pleased with the tournament,” Ellington said. “Pleased with Jeff (Cisneros) for putting it on. It’s a lot of work. It gives everyone an opportunity to have a longer season.”
Some photos courtesy of Kraig Blackburn.
