Before both the Helper and Price American Legion teams compete in the Southern Utah State American Legion Tournament beginning Thursday in Helper, both faced off for a season-ending doubleheader on Tuesday evening at Ernie Gardner Field.
In game one, Helper exploded in the third and fourth innings for 14 runs to end the game after five innings of play, 16-0. Zac Bradley got the win on the mound, going nearly three shutout innings while striking out five. Four players notched at least two RBIs in the game, led by Nate Olson’s three, on two doubles. Cody Lowe hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Wyatt Wilson went 2-2 with a triple and a double. Ty Anderson was perfect at the plate as well, going 2-2 with two singles. Coach Jeff Cisneros gave 15 players a chance to play in the game for the Merchants. Price managed just two hits in the five innings.
The Raptors scored the first run of game two on an RBI single from Alyjah Ellington in the top of the first inning. Helper responded with eight runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Merchants added another run in the third and two more in the bottom of the fifth to end the game early, 11-1.
Coach Cisneros again used 15 players in the game. Braxton Bennett led the Merchants with three RBIs. Lowe and John Zamantakis went 2-3 in the game, combining for three RBIs. Five players pitched an inning apiece, with Lowe notching the win in his lone inning of work. Price matched its hit total from game one with two hits in the game.
Both teams will take part in the Southern Utah State American Legion Tournament beginning Thursday in Helper. The Merchants enter the tournament at the third seed behind Pleasant Grove and St. George. Helper will take on Sevier to begin the tournament on Thursday at 8 p.m. Price secured the seventh seed and will face St. George at 2:30 p.m. in Helper.
All games will be played at Ernie Gardner Field. The top four seeds will advance to play in the Utah State American Legion Tournament at Gates Field in Kearns next week.