LOGAN — The St George Sentinels started the American Legion Utah State Tournament with a classic, defeating Syracuse 2-1 in a nailbiter.
Former Dixie High standout Chris Petrosie was in command on the mound for the Sentinels, giving up only two hits and one run in nine innings pitched. His complete-game masterpiece included four strikeouts and just two walks. Petrosie, who had three wins on the mound as a senior in 2014 for the Flyers, including one at Logan, threw 78 of his 111 pitches for strikes. All games for the state tournament are 9 innings.
On the offensive end, the Sentinels punched out 10 hits but stranded nine base runners for the game. Pine View senior-to-be Tyler Johnston led the charge, going 3 for 4 with two stolen bases. Kash Walker was 2-5 with an RBI and Trevor Berry was 2-4.
St. George’s only runs came in the third inning. Johnston led off with a single and stole second. He advanced to third on a ground out by Logan LaFemina and scored on an RBI grounder by Walker. The ball skirted away from the Syracuse first baseman, leaving Walker safe at first. He then stole second and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by former Snow Canyon star Josh Howard.
The two-run output was an anomaly for the Sentinels, who average 7.5 runs per game. But Petrosie made them stand up, giving up just a single run in the sixth inning.
The Sentinels battle the Mountain Crest Trappers on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament. St. George eliminated the Trappers in last season’s state tourney en route to the Sentinels second-place finish.
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