ST. GEORGE — Desert Hills and Cedar just did not want to stop playing baseball.

The Thunder and Reds met in the 4A state tournament super regionals at Desert Hills Thursday and Friday.

In three games played in less than 24 hours, the clubs combined for 52 runs, 56 hits and 13 errors before the Thunder’s 12-4 win in the third game on Friday sent Desert Hills to next week’s 4A bracket play at Brigham Young University in Provo.

“We had some guys step up pitching-wise in this series in the super regional,” Desert Hills manager Kevin Cave told St. George News.

“Used some guys we didn’t necessarily know we were going to use, and they performed,” Cave added. “So that’s good. That will help us next week.”

Thursday night’s game ended with an 8-7 victory for Desert Hills. Senior Landon Musgrave led the Thunder to that win on the hill, pitching five full innings and yielding only three hits and one run.

The left-hander walked one and struck out 11 Reds in the win, which only came after a furious Cedar rally fell short in the seventh inning.

Friday’s first elimination game was a seesaw affair that saw the Reds stave off their season’s end in an 11-10 slugfest triumph.

Junior Jaxon Burgess put in an heroic effort on the hill to pick up the Cedar win. The right-hander threw 105 pitches in six full innings, allowing seven runs off of nine hits.

Burgess was workmanlike in his approach, walking two batters and striking out two others. After every inning he marched to the dugout and ignored everyone’s high-fives and “atta boys,” remaining laser-focused on his job.

Sophomore Jacob Boyer had the big blow at the plate in Cedar’s win, a double that cleared the bases in the fourth inning. He also hit a single and finished with four RBI.

Senior Quaid Mackert contributed a single and three RBI for the winners.

Then, the Reds ran out of gas in the rubber game.

Desert Hills used a six-run third inning and a five-run sixth frame to put the game away.

“We just have to carry the offense over, continue what we’re doing,” Cave said. “Approach is good right now, just keep our same approach will be what we are going for at state.”

Tytan Tate had himself a day for the Thunder. Two of his three hits were doubles and he drove in two runs at the plate.

On the hill, Tate went to the 105 pitch limit over six full innings. He scattered seven hits and gave up four runs, one unearned. The senior right-hander walked one and struck out six Reds in perhaps his finest performance of the year.

Meanwhile Tate had plenty of support as five different Thunder batters contributed two hits apiece to the victory. Sophomores Jace Fillmore and Beau Wall each posted two RBI for the Thunder in the win.

“The great thing about this club is that in the last two weeks they’ve really jelled as a team,” Cave said. “They’ve gotten behind each other and started authentically rooting for each other, they really want each to see each other succeed. And that’s a good recipe for the end of the season.” 

Matchups are set for 4A bracket play

The number of 4A baseball teams still playing in Utah was whittled down to eight after the super regionals were concluded over the weekend.

The complete 4A tournament bracket can be viewed at the UHSAA website.

Bracket play will take place over six days this coming week. The first three days, Monday, May 15, Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17 will feature games at Brigham Young University in Provo.

Then the final three days will play games on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, May 18, Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, when the champions will be crowned.

Monday’s first round begins with No. 5 Desert Hills against No. 4 Mountain Crest at BYU at 12:30 p.m.

Playing after that is No. 1 Snow Canyon against No. 8 Bear River at 3:00 p.m. Game three features No. 2 Crimson Cliffs against No. 7 Green Canyon and is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Monday’s fourth and final game is scheduled for 8 p.m. when No. 3 Dixie will take on No. 6 Ridgeline.

The tournament is double-elimination format with the top two teams playing in a three-game series for the state championship.

Follow complete coverage of the upcoming 4A state baseball tournament in St. George News and at The Fan Sports Network.

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