Stock photo
The Helper American Legion Merchants kicked off the RBI American Legion Tournament in Idaho Thursday with a loss, followed up with two wins on Friday before dropping the final game of the weekend on Saturday, evening up their tournament record.
In its first game of the weekend against Pocatello, Helper managed just three hits in the game. Kameron Gunter singled in the first inning, scoring Nate Olson and Jayden Flemett. Flemett and Ty Anderson had the other hits in the game, both singles. Zac Bradley went the distance on the mound for the loss, allowing three earned runs on eight hits.
In game one on Friday, Taylon Abeyta went 3-3 with two singles and a double in Helper’s 11-10 win against Burley. Wyatt Wilson had three RBIs on two hits, and Cody Lowe and Flemett both added two RBIs apiece. Braxton Bennett earned the win on the mound for the Merchants, going just one inning without giving up a hit or a run. Helper outhit Burley 9-5. The team also committed six errors that led to nine Burley unearned runs.
Adrien Sanchez went the distance on the mound for Helper in game two on Friday, leading the team to the 1-0 win over Minico. Sanchez struck out six and scattered six hits in his seven innings pitched. Gunter had the only RBI in the game on a single in the fourth inning that scored Flemett.
Looking to round out the tournament with three straight wins, Bishop Kelley sent the Merchants home with a .500 record, taking the fourth game of the tournament, 9-7. Tied at six in the fifth inning, Bishop Kelley scored three runs to take the lead it would never relinquish. Abeyta went 3-4 with two RBIs, coming up a home run short of the cycle. Bennett took the loss on the mound for Helper.
Helper, now 3-2 on the young season, will host Roosevelt for the Monday doubleheader at Ernie Gardner field in Helper. Game one begins at 6 p.m.