BEAVER — It was a perfect day for baseball and a perfect doubleheader for Hunter Hansen.
The former Pine View Panther had seven hits in two games as the St. George Sentinels swept Price 11-0 and 17-3 Friday afternoon to clinch a spot in the American Legion state tournament.
The two teams squared off in neutral Beaver County, with St. George needing just one win to take the best-of-five series (having won two games earlier this month). It was a no-doubter in the opener, with former Dixie Flyer Chris Petrosie pitching five innings of shutout ball and Hansen, Brook Barney and Chandler Allman providing plenty of offense.
“We really hit the heck out of the ball,” Sentinels coach Shane Johanson said. “It’s hard to really even remember who had all the big hits because there were so many. I think we’re really building some momentum.”
With the playoffs clinched, Johanson said the second game was loose and fun. Players were moved around and many got to try positions in which they hadn’t played for years. For instance, Tyler Johnston, a three-year starter at shortstop in high school, played catcher in the second game.
Once again, Hansen was one of the hitting stars, collecting four hits in as many at bats. He finished the day with seven hits, including a triple and a double. Price failed to retire him a single time. Carter Milne had three hits in the nightcap, with Barney getting the win on the mound.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Johanson said. “We only had 11 with us on this trip as the injury bug has hit us. The summer can get hot and long, but these guys have stuck with it and it was nice to see everybody hitting the ball.”
The Sentinels, 17-8, play at Canyon View and at Desert Hills (both non-Legion teams) before beginning the American Legion state tourney July 27 in Logan. The time and opponent is yet to be determined.
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