Utah Valley University- The Park City Baseball team started the State Finals as the number one team in their region. They had high hopes for the state this year and felt confident that they would excel, and their results proved it.
Last Thursday, May 15th, the boys played their first game in the State Finals Tournament. Their first game was against Emery, who were supposed to be an fairly easy match-up. The miners struggled, however, and soon found themselves in trouble with a score of 4-6 with two innings to go.
They were able to hold their competitors and faced a chance at scoring enough runs to tie up the game and face extra innings. With one inning to go, the miners were up to bat and still down by two. Junior David Feasler was able to get a hit and make it to first base. Following him, Senior Chris Shapard also was able to hit and make it on base. Senior Austin Molinaro loaded the bases, setting up David Snyder to allow his teammates to score. With a hit good enough to allow both Feasler and Shapard to score a run.
With the game was tied up 6-6, Emery threw a wild pitch, allowing Austin to score. The Miners won 7-6 and made it past their first round.
The Miners then faced Morgan for the second game of the day.
The Miners looked as if the game would end in a mercy-rule call, with the Miners ahead 14-3. The miners were able to get big hits and score while Senior Garret Tsao kept Morgan from scoring.
Unfortunately, Morgan started catching up in the last four innings, closing the gap, and leaving the Miners with less than a five point lead. Senior Alex Thomas pitched for an inning, while Morgan scored more runs, bringing the score up to 14-10.
Junior Dakota Mattherly relieved Thomas with strong pitching skills to keep Morgan from scoring again and Park City won the game.
Friday morning, Park City played Salem Hills. Salem Hills had a talented team managing to score 7 runs within the first 2 and a half innings. Thomas pitched the first two innings, but was replaced by Shapard in the third. Shapard played hard defense, shutting Salem Hills out in the last five innings. Great out-fielding also came into play, with amazing catches by both Caleb Figge and Alex Thomas.
Throughout the last five innings, the Miners struggled to get runs in order to tie the game up, even though Salem didn't score again. In the last inning, the Miners were able to score runs and take the lead. They ended the game, with a win, 9-7.
Park City then faced one of the toughest teams in the State: the big-hitting team, Cedar City. The previous weekend, the Miners lost to them in the State playoff tournament, 1-7. They were the underdogs of the game, but gave Cedar a scare early in the game with a three run push in the third inning.
Cedar fought back though, and gradually took the lead. As Park City struggled to gain another run, Cedar continued to pitch well and continually make big hits. The Miners put up a big fight, but were unable to overcome their competition. Their final score was 4-6.
But, through the tears and saddness, the Park City Baseball team should be celebrated for their extremely successful season! After all, they got father than any other miner team had in nearly a decade, and deserve to celebrate their performance as a team. We are so very proud of them and congratulate their wonderful season!
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