Helper Legion Dominates Westlake

Helper’s Braxton Bennett attempts to tag the baserunner during the first inning of Friday’s win over Westlake. (Photo Credit: Loren Miller)
The Helper Legion Merchants 19U baseball team defeated Westlake 15-3 on Friday night in Helper. 
From the first inning up until the final out, the Merchants played nearly flawless in their final home game of the summer.
“The kids played awesome tonight. They did tonight what we have been asking them to do all year long. Plain and simple it was a good win going into the playoffs,” said Helper Legion Coach Kyle Abeyta.
Helper got things going offensively early in the first inning with three runs scored off of a Cody Lowe single, a passed ball and a Collin Lewis triple.
In the second inning a two-RBI double by Lowe really broke the game open for Helper and they would go on to score five runs in the inning.
Westlake would add three runs in the top of the third after loading the bases after a pair of bases loaded singles.
Lowe would add another two runs with a double in the bottom of the third to extend Helper’s lead to 11-3. He would go on to finish the game with a stat line of three hits, four RBIs and a walk.
The 15 runs scored on Friday was tied for the highest amount of runs scored by Helper this summer and according to first baseman Jadon Robertson, it was something his team had been working on the past few weeks.
“It was great, we have been struggling at the plate the past couple of games and we have been really working hard in practice and I think it will help in the playoffs,” said Robertson.
Nate Olson had an impressive performance on the mound starting for Helper. Olson threw for three innings and only gave up three runs and four hits.
At some points of the game Olson had his back against the wall with runners on or the bases loaded but was able to prevail.
“Nate is a horse, he never quits and he is always to give 100 percent no matter what even when his confidence is a little bit shaken,” said Abeyta.
In the top of the fourth Collin Lewis would take over on the mound and would only give up one hit with three strikeouts.
The win on Friday gives Helper a 11-5 record heading into the final three games of the regular season.
Helper will play a doubleheader on Saturday against Springville and Saint George in Springville.
Their final game of the season will be on Tuesday against Westlake on the road before the playoffs begins next weekend in Pleasant Grove.