Mustangs one win away from repeating as 4A state baseball champs after Ross tosses a gem

Written by E. George Goold
May 20, 2023

OREM — Jaiven Ross was kryptonite to the Snow Canyon Warriors batting lineup.

Crimson Cliffs senior Brexten Starley hits against Snow Canyon in a 4A state championship baseball game, Orem, Utah, May 19, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Ross took the mound against Snow Canyon in the 4A state baseball championship series on Friday night and completely shut the Warriors down, allowing only three hits in a 9-2 Mustangs victory in Game 1.

“I think we’ve faced Snow Canyon probably more than anyone in our region,” Ross told St. George News. “It’s good to see them here again. I think I’ve just come to a rhythm facing their lineup. I don’t treat anyone in the lineup differently.”

Ross credited the Mustangs coaching staff and manager Justin Abbott with calling a great game.

“He knows what he’s doing,” Ross said. “We got so many guys behind me, I’m not worried if I have a bad game. I got guys in the pen behind me that can finish the game.”

Battery mate and senior catcher Brexten Starley started working games with Ross when they were in the 8th grade.

“He just competed, he did it for us. He had his fastball and slider, all of it was working,” Starley said. “He was the dog that he’s been all season. What else can I say except I love that kid with my whole heart.” 

Starley said that he thought Ross went a little bit deeper into the tank Friday night, knowing it was the last time he’ll pitch for Crimson Cliffs. 

“No doubt. To go out like that, who can ask for more,” Starley said. “I mean, he’s a stud.”

The left-hander had a no hitter working against Snow Canyon through the first three innings of play.

Crimson Cliffs Brexten Starley (6) beats the throw to first against Snow Canyon in a 4A state championship baseball game, Orem, Utah, May 19, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Meanwhile the Mustangs loaded the bases against Warriors starter Coden Herman in the top of the second. Jayger Baldwin’s RBI single and Ty Maynard’s sacrifice fly staked Ross to an early 2-0 lead.

Starley helped his pitcher’s cause with a mammoth home run in the bottom of the third. The stadium at Utah Valley University in Orem has a wall in left field with a slope of grass behind it and then a fence on top of the slope.

Starley’s long ball cleared both the wall and the fence for a 3-0 Crimson lead.

“I knew a fastball was coming,” Starley said, adding that when he faced Herman in the regular season he went 0-for-3 with three K’s. “It was my worst game. Definitely wanted to get back at him and I was just fortunate to run into that one.”

Ross ran onto rocky ground once, in the bottom of the fourth frame. He struck out Crew Secrist and then plunked Ryder Harrison.

Sam Lindsey followed with a hard shot up the middle, Snow Canyon’s first hit of the contest, and two ducks were on the pond.

Hayden Smith hit a sharp single to left field, where the Mustangs outfielder misplayed the ball, allowing Harrison to scramble home and score.

Damon Ence hit an RBI single to keep the rally going. But Ross coaxed a line drive out from Corbin Hafen and struck out Braden Loveland looking to get out of the jam, still ahead 3-2.

The Mustangs got those two runs back and more in the top of the fifth. Trey Evans singled. Herman got the next two batters out with ground balls.

McKay Wright walked and Herman then hit Tate Maynard to load the bases.

Snow Canyon skipper Reed Secrist went to the bullpen, calling on junior Jackson Kirby, who saved two of the tournament wins for the Warriors earlier in the week.

Tate Maynard tags up before scoring against Snow Canyon in a 4A state baseball championship game, Orem, Utah, May 19, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

But Kirby and catcher Smith had trouble communicating pitch calls. A wild pitch plated one run, then Parker Andrus walked for Crimson. 

Senior Jayger Baldwin fought off a number of Kirby’s pitches before his two RBI single broke the game open. Ty Maynard followed with his own RBI single and Crimson jumped ahead for good 7-2.

Tate Maynard’s sacrifice fly and Baldwin’s walk with the bases loaded provided the final margin in the top of the sixth.

Ross finished the win in 6.2 innings after throwing 110 pitches. He gave up the two runs off of three hits. He walked three batters and struck out five Warriors.

Fehi Faonelua recorded the final out with a K and Crimson Cliffs is one win away from repeating as 4A state champion. 

“I think going into tomorrow we just treat it no differently than any other game,” Ross said. “Just got to have the mindset, one more. Gotta get one more tomorrow.”

The Warriors and Mustangs meet Saturday at UVU in Orem at noon. If Snow Canyon wins that Game 2, the if necessary game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Follow St. George News for continuous coverage of the 4A state baseball championship and stream the games live on The Fan Sports Network.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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