With just two left of the high school baseball regular season, it’s a critical time for local teams. High seeds are up for grabs as most local teams are still in the hunt for region supremacy and favorable playoff matchups.

Woods Cross

At 14-5 overall, the Wildcats have the best record among all Region 5 teams. They were also atop the region standings as the week began, 8-1 in league play. 

The Wildcats were 3-1 last week, including a 2-1 win against region foe Box Elder. Woods Cross defeated 6A opponent Syracuse 9-6 on April 25 behind 11 hits. A strong five-run second inning was critical in the victory. Blake Stanger was also strong at the plate, bringing in three runs. Taylor Ayala had two doubles in the win.

On April 26, the Wildcats had the first of back-to-back wins over Box Elder. The first win was a 12-5 victory in which Woods Cross scored in each inning it batted. The best inning was a four-run sixth that put the team up 12-4. Stanger had a home run and four RBIs, while Ayala added one over the fence and an RBI. Woods Cross racked up 13 hits. 

The following day, there was less offense in a 4-2 Woods Cross win. The Wildcats gave up just five hits, with pitcher Dylan Williams getting the victory. Dax Weierman had a double and three RBIs. 

Woods Cross couldn’t complete the shutout on April 19, as it suffered its first region loss of the year, a 13-8 setback at the hands of a determined Box Elder squad. Woods Cross had 13 hits but allowed 16. Box Elder scored seven runs in the fifth inning. Williams had two doubles and two RBIs for Woods Cross. Stanger contributed a double and two RBI in a losing effort. 

This week, the Wildcats faced Bountiful in a three-game series Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Viewmont

At 7-2 in Region 5, the Vikings are right in the thick of things in the league race. 

Viewmont won two of three games against Bountiful a week ago to stay just a game back of Woods Cross in the region standings. Both Viking wins were by a single run.

The first victory, on April 26, was a 2-1 defensive struggle that saw the two teams combine for 11 hits. Luke Jacobs was brilliant in defeat. The junior had a home run and two RBIs. Max Lee added a double. 

Viewmont’s other win over the Redhawks was a 5-4 victory on April 29 in a 10-inning marathon. Both teams recorded 10 hits on the day. But it was Viewmont’s run in the bottom of the 10th that sealed the victory. Jacobs hit a triple, while Rhett Peterson added a pair of doubles. Mitch Edmunds had an RBI, and Cole McSwain was the winning pitcher. 

Sandwiched in between the wins was an 11-5 loss to the Redhawks on April 27. Cal Miller had two doubles and an RBI in the loss, while Jacobs batted in two runs. 

The Vikings can stay near the top of the region race this week with some wins over Northridge. The two teams faced one another on Tuesday and Wednesday (after our press deadline) and will play on Friday at Viewmont. 

Bountiful

The Redhawks’ two losses to Viewmont last week kept them from being tied for first place in Region 5. As this week began, they were 6-3 in the standings and 12-7 overall. 

In Bountiful’s victory over Viewmont on April 27, Truman Duryea filled the stat sheet. Not only was he the winning pitcher, but he also hit a home run and a double, and he drove in four runs. Dallin Maxwell and Kaisan Averett had two RBIs apiece.

Bountiful has a big opportunity this week in its three-game series against Woods Cross. Two of the three games are on Woods Cross’ home field. 

Farmington

The Phoenix began this week in second place in Region 1 with a 9-6 record. Overall, they are 13-8. Only Fremont (12-0 in region, 18-1 overall) is ahead of them. 

Farmington won two games against Layton last week, 4-2 on April 26 and 9-4 on April 29. The Phoenix lost the middle game, 11-10 on April 27. 

In the first win, all of Farmington’s runs came in the fifth inning, while all of Layton’s were in the seventh. Both teams had six hits, but Layton committed three errors to none for the Phoenix. Farmington got doubles from Luke Workman and Mason Cook.

Win No. 2 in the series saw the Phoenix get out to a 9-0 lead entering the seventh inning. Layton made things interesting with four runs, but Farmington avoided a stunning Lancer comeback. Caleb Takemori was the winning pitcher, while the offense had 12 hits. Park Romney had two triples and two RBI. Takemori was solid at the plate too, as he hit a triple. 

The Phoenix won’t catch Fremont for the region title, but they can finish in second place in Region 1. This week, Farmington played at Syracuse on Tuesday and hosted the Titans on Wednesday. The two teams square off on Friday at Syracuse in the region finale. Farmington finishes the regular season on May 10 at Cottonwood. 

Davis 

The Darts played just once last week, and it wasn’t even a region contest. 

Davis (7-5 in Region 1 and 10-9 overall) blasted Mountain View 7-1, outhitting the Bruins 9-1. Pitcher Colten Baron was credited with the win. Brock Wright hit a home run and a double, and he brought in a run as well. Jonny Leishman had a double and an RBI. Walker Jensen also had a double in the victory. 

This week, Davis faced Fremont on Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting the Silverwolves on Friday. λ