| A Helper Legion player takes a big cut during double header action within their current home stand. |
After the amazing comeback win the week before, the Helper American Legion resumed their schedule with a long home stand. On Wednesday July 18th Granger came to town for a double header. Hoping for a sweep, the team won the first game, 7-1 but dropped the second with a lopsided 10-1 loss.
In the first game they jumped out on top with two runs in the second inning on single from Brady Wilde, a double from Kyler Edgehouse and a double from Jordan Moynier. They added a run in the 4th on a single from Edgehouse and an RBI single from Aaron Sandoval.
In the fifth, a walk to Thompson was followed by a home run by JJ Blue put two more runs up on the board. Granger’s lone run came in the 5th inning. A blast from Sandoval and back to back singles from Trevor Thompson and Blue pushed the final two runs across the plate in the 6th inning.Jordan Moynier pitched a complete game to pick up his second win in a row.
Coach Cisneros quickly summed up the night cap. “The second game was very disappointing and we played with no effort and took the loss 10-1. We had 2 hits total and did nothing to help our pitching.” Tyler Turcasso took the loss on the mound.
Game 1 R H E
Granger 1 4 3
Helper 7 12 0
WP-Moynier, LP-Felion 2b-Edgehouse(H), Pickler(G). HR-Sandoval(H), Blue(H).
Game 2 R H E
Granger 10 14 1
Helper 1 2 1
Continuing the home stand on Thursday Helper took on West. First order of business was to finish up a previous game that was suspended in the fourth. The play picked up the first game with the score tied at 8 going into the fifth inning. West broke open the tie with five runs in the sixth inning. Helper answered with only three in the seventh resulting in a 13-10 loss.
Pitcher Brett Johnson took the loss. “He received no help from our defense as we committed six errors overall in the game,” commented Cisneros after the loss.
In the second game Helper jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the 4th. Edgehouse was the starter and did a very good job for five innings. It was the fifth when West got going with two runs and then exploded for eight more in the sixth. Wilde took over the pitching duties in the sixth. Five hits, a walk and an error allowed West to the put the game out of reach.
Helper scored two runs in the seventh but it was not enough and went down to an 11 -5 loss. Helper managed only 6 hits in the game. “The loss was a very disappointing loss that put our league record at 8-7 for the year. We have yet to lose a league game on the road this year, but have not been so lucky at home.” Cisneros stated. “Usually a team’s focus is very good at home and not good on the road, but this year has been completely he opposite.”
Game 2 H R E
West 11 10 1
Helper 5 8 1
Wrapping up play for the week, Beaver was in town for two non-league games July 21. Helper won the first game 10-8 on a walk off home run by Wilde in the seventh. Haden Basinger pitched a complete game. Sandoval had a great game with the bat, going 3-3 including a homer in the first inning. Thompson also had a nice game with two doubles.
Helper pounded out a 7-1 lead after four innings in game two of the double-header. Beaver managed only one more run in the 7th and the final was 7-2 for the home boys. Sandoval and Blue homered again in this game and Thompson had single and double.
Cisneros was much happier with his team on Saturday.
“These were two good wins at home,” he said. “These games were scheduled to get some guys some extra time and some extra work before heading into the state the tournament.” He went on to say, “This is our last week of regular season games. We travel to Kearns tonight to take on the team who is currently 15-1 and in first place. We play Tooele at home Wednesday and they are 6-10. We finish with Murray Friday night at home and Murray’s record in 12-4. These are all import games and will decide how we are seeded in the state tournament.”
Wednesday and Friday are the last chance to see the team in action at home before they head to tournament play. Game time will be at 7 p.m. on both nights.