After a successful American Legion Baseball season, Helper topped the Valley League standings in first place. The local team beat out Cyprus, West, Murray, Herriman and West Lake to take the top league seed at the state tournament which began July 27 in Logan.
Helper kicked off the tourney be facing off against the home team, Logan. Brandon Oliver pitched a complete game for Helper giving up only two hits. According to head coach, Jeff Cisneros, the offense was equally good and completed 13 hits on the night leading to the teams convincing 13-1 win.
Jaren McCourt had a home run and a double during the opening game. Bryce Blackburn and Cole Fossat each had doubles and Derek Young had three singles. “Our defense was flawless and we really played well,” explained Cisneros. The win sent Helper to the next round of state tournament play on July 29. West would be the next team to challenge the seemingly unstoppable Helper squad.
True to fashion, Helper shut out West 7-0 keeping the team in the winning bracket of the state tournament. Cole Fossat pitched a complete shutout game. “He did a wonderful job,” Cisneros stated. “He allowed only two hits and struck out nine West batters. Once again our defense was good and our offense was good enough that we pounded out 14 hits for the game.” McCourt, Fossat, Jordan Mellen and Dominic Rondinelli all had doubles and Dakota Cisnoros had three singles. The win sends Helper to the next round of play on July 30 against Stansbury.
Team Runs Hits Errors
Logan 1 3 3
Helper 13 13 1
WP-Oliver
LP- Nielsen
2b-Blackburn(H), McCourt(H), Fossat(H)
HR- McCourt(H)
Team Runs Hits Errors
West 0 2 2
Helper 7 14 2
WP- Fossat
LP- Depasquale
2b- Mellen(H), Rondinelli(H), McCourt(H), Fossat(H).