HomeThe GCHS baseball team clinched at least a share of the Region 15 championship title by defeating the San Juan Broncos 10-5 at Blanding on Tuesday, April 23.
Grand jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and managed to stay on top throughout the seven-inning contest. The Red Devils scored four more runs in the fourth inning and had 14 base hits during the game. Starting pitcher Koi Cook was the winning pitcher.
Three days later at Monticello, however, the Red Devils lost to the Buckaroos by the score of 10-5, dropping Grand’s record to 8-2 in region play. In that contest, Monticello jumped out to an early lead, scoring five runs in the first inning. Cook hit a home run for Grand, while Preston Walston added a double and a triple. Walston ended up taking the pitching loss.
Grand’s final 8-2 region record ensured them of at least a share of the Region 15 title, but the Emery Spartans defeated South Sevier on April 30 to also finish 8-2 in region play, making Grand and Emery co-champions of Region 15. Emery had defeated Grand 5-1 at Moab on April 19, handing the Red Devils their first loss of the regular season.
A coin flip took place that night, and Grand won the toss, giving them the No. 1 seed and the home field advantage in the opening round games that were scheduled to take place Saturday, May 4. Grand will join Parowan, Enterprise, and Rowland Hall in playing four playoff games in Moab that day.
After Saturday’s games, the remaining 2A division tournament teams – those teams that have not lost twice in the initial round – will continue in state tournament play, scheduled for May 9 and 10 at Kearns High School.