The Cedar Valley Aviators will challenge the Manti Templars at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Cedar Valley is coming into the contest on a five-game losing streak.
Cedar Valley's tournament run continued when they took on Cedar on Saturday. Cedar Valley lost 17-9 to Cedar.
Ayden Laws made the most of his time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. The team also got some help courtesy of Cash Poulson, who scored a run while going 1-for-2.
Meanwhile, Manti made easy work of North Sanpete on Tuesday and carried off a 10-4 win. Considering the Templars have won three matches by more than five runs this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.
Lane Cox and Tazj Hill were a major factor no matter where they played. Throwing, Cox pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Meanwhile, Hill tossed four innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits. Cox also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Manti is undefeated when he allows at most two earned runs, but 1-5 otherwise. At bat, Cox scored two runs while going 2-for-4, while Hill went 1-for-3 with one home run and two runs. That home run was Hill's first of the season.
They weren't the only ones making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kellen Lund, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. Manti is undefeated when Lund posts one or more home runs, but 0-5 otherwise.
Manti lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've posted since back in April of 2024.
The victory made it two in a row for Manti and bumps their season record up to 4-5. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 4 runs in those games. As for Cedar Valley, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-6.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Cedar Valley hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .319. However, it's not like Manti struggles in that department as they've averaged .323. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
