Coach Willie Ellington and the Price Raptors kicked off the American Legion season last week in Colorado in a wood bat tournament. The team went 1-3 in four games.
In game one on Wednesday against Eagle Valley, Price managed just three hits in the game, losing 5-0. Brock Breitenstein went 1-2 with a single as did Tyson Busch, a Uintah High player on this year’s Price team. Gavin Robinette also had a single in the game.
Looking to get back on track Thursday, Fruita handed the Raptors an 11-0 loss. Pinnacle Panther Remington Motte had the only hit in the game, a single in the fourth.
On Friday, Price broke through with a 13-5 domination of Montrose. Alyjah Ellington went the distance on the mound and got plenty of run support. The Raptors exploded in the second inning, tallying nine runs on seven straight hits. Johnny Tallerico and Duncan LaCombe, another Uintah High player, each had two singles in the inning. Tallerico finished the game with four hits in the game. Robinette had two doubles, as did Ellington. LaCombe had three hits, all singles, and Busch chipped in another two singles. Price added three runs in the fourth inning and another in the sixth to round out the scoring.
Looking to finish the tournament with an even record, Price took on Rifle and lost 4-0. Busch added two more singles and went 2-3 in the game. Back-to-back hits in the fourth by Dalton Bradley and Drew Jones couldn’t get the Raptors on the board. Robinette was the other Price player who contributed a hit in the game. Tallerico pitched a strong game, going all five innings for the complete game.
Price will host Roosevelt on Thursday for a doubleheader at the USU Eastern baseball field. Games will be at 4 and 6 p.m.