ST. GEORGE – Snow Canyon squeaked past Cedar 2-1 Wednesday night behind a dominant pitching performance by Riley Gates.
Pitching can be cruel sometimes, because one can do everything right and still come out on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
Gates, for example, pitched an excellent game a week ago, only to lose a heartbreaker 2-1 to Canyon View.
Wednesday night, Gates found himself in another pitcher’s duel, this time with Cedar’s Brock Englestead and Kolton Harris. Although Gates had allowed just two hits and struck out 18 batters, his team had battled to a 1-1 tie going into the bottom of the seventh.
Fortunately for Gates and the Warriors, the bottom part of the lineup made sure this duel would end in a Snow Canyon victory.
Jake Lindsey had a one out single in the seventh, stole second base, then came home with the winning run on a single by Brendan Truman to end the game in walk-off fashion.
“I’m just glad we came out on top,” Warriors coach Reed Secrist said. “Cedar pitched it very well. Both those guys can really pitch, no doubt about it.”
But Secrist saved the highest praise for his own pitcher, and rightfully so, as Gates was phenomenal.
“He had 18 strikeouts and they really shouldn’t have scored on him,” Secrist said. “We made some mistakes, but Riley was great. His curveball was working and even his change up he threw really well.”
Chandler Day and Clint Gates teamed up for SC’s run in the bottom of the third. Cedar had taken a 1-0 lead on the Warriors on an RBI by Easton Weaver.
“We feel great right now,” Secrist said. “I realize we have a huge week next week with Desert Hills and Dixie, but it will be great to get some practices in and get back on our usual schedule of Tuesday and Friday games with some practices in between.”
The Warriors have also circled Apr. 16, the day they play Canyon View, who has handed the Warriors their lone region loss so far.
“We’re taking it one game at a time, but we do look forward to playing them again,” Secrist said.
Hurricane 10, Canyon View 6
Jay Williams got the win and also had three hits for Hurricane as this shocker drops Canyon View out of first place and gives the Tigers their first region win. Hurricane jumped on CV early, scoring five runs in the first three innings, then breaking open a close 5-3 game with five runs in the fifth. The Tigers, 5-7-1 overall and 1-3 in region, had been mercy-ruled by Dixie, Pine View and Snow Canyon before this big upset victory. The Tigers step out of region play for a non-leaguer vs. Kanab next Wednesday. The Falcons, 7-4 and 2-1, play at home against Pine View Tuesday.
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Thanks St George News for your awesome coverage of region 9 baseball. The pictures and articles are outstanding! SC had a great win last night. Keep it up boys!