With several non-league games in the books for local high school baseball teams, it’s time to get to the next portion of the season: region play. 

Both Region 1 and Region 5 have started its slate of games. In Region 1, teams play one another in consecutive three-game series. In the larger Region 5, the teams have back-to-back games against other region foes. For the teams, it’s a chance to bolster their RPI rankings, which will determine playoff seeding. 

Davis 

For the Davis Darts, head coach Josh Godfrey has lofty goals as region games start. 

“There are high expectations for this team with a lot of returning players from last year who played varsity,” he said. “We believe we can compete for a region championship and make a run in state.”

Davis currently sits at 8-3 overall and narrowly lost its region opener at home to Syracuse, 9-8 on April 9. Four of Davis’ runs came in the first inning, while Syracuse did most of its damage in the fifth inning, generating seven runs. Davis was down 9-6 in the bottom of the seventh and scored twice. However, the Darts couldn’t muster a tying run, as they lost for the first time to an in-state opponent. Davis’ other two losses were in tournaments to teams from California. 

Davis and Syracuse tangled again on Wednesday, after our press time. The two teams finish their series on Friday at Davis. Godfrey feels good about where the team is. 

“For us a region championship and getting to UVU in the state tournament are our main goals,” he said. “We have to continue to grow together as a team and support each other and celebrate each other’s successes. We are very good defensive team, and we have a pretty experienced pitching staff. We also have good team speed as well. Hitting so far has been a bright spot this year.”

Farmington

The Phoenix have had a rough season so far, starting off 1-8 overall and dropping their first league game. 

Farmington lost to Fremont 5-3 on April 9 in a tight contest. The game went eight innings, with Fremont breaking a 3-3 tie in the top of the eighth by scoring twice. Farmington couldn’t match or beat that output, suffering its fifth defeat in a row. Jaxon Ball hit a triple and recorded an RBI in the loss. Pickle Monk added a double and two RBI. 

Head coach Sam Marx isn’t losing faith in his team. He is looking for improvement and effort. 

“Our expectation is for this group to continue getting better so we can play our best baseball in the playoffs,” he said. “Awards aren't handed out after five to 10 games, so our focus is geared toward continual improvement as the season unfolds as we start to play our most impactful games.”

Farmington played April 10 against Fremont (after our press deadline) and wraps up the series against the Silverwolves this Friday. 

“In order for this season to be a success, these boys are going to have to continue trusting and loving one another,” Marx said. “Struggle and obstacles are inevitable within a season and ultimately the cohesiveness and love this group has for each other is what will get us through to the end of the tunnel. I think this team’s biggest strength is the boys’ unconditional love and support of one another. While still very early, this group has proven to be very resilient in multiple facets of their lives and a lot of that is due to the group’s love and leadership.”

Viewmont

The Vikings won their Region 5 opener on April 8, routing Box Elder 10-0 to improve to 7-3 overall on the year. 

Viewmont scored three runs in the first, fifth and six innings, adding one in the third. Pitcher Cal Miler had an outstanding game, striking out 12 batters and allowing just three hits. He also had two RBI from the plate. Teammate Gage Kortman had three RBI in the win. 

Viewmont and Box Elder squared off on Wednesday again, this time after our press deadline. The Vikings tangle with Northridge on Friday and again on April 15. 

Woods Cross 

The Wildcats also had a successful opening to region play, defeating Clearfield 5-2 on Monday. Woods Cross is now 5-7 overall and faced Clearfield on Wednesday, after our press deadline. 

In the win, the Wildcats amassed 12 hits, getting a double from Alexander Holdstock, who also had an RBI. Teammates Thomas Pattison, Camden Olsen, Paxton Healy and Stetson Critchley also had RBIs. Beckham Stanger had a big game on the mound. He was the winning pitcher and struck out nine Clearfield batters. 

Woods Cross next hosts Roy on Friday and finishes its two-game series with the Royals on Monday at Roy. 

Bountiful

The Redhawks were winners in the Region 5 opener as well, as they took care of Roy 9-2 on Monday. 

Playing on the road, Bountiful improved to 4-6 on the season, thanks largely to pitcher Jackson Kyhl’s seven strikeouts. He also had two RBI in the game. However, the biggest offensive weapon of the contest was Krew Nelson. The junior infielder had a monster outing, hitting a home run and a double as well as driving in three runs. Teammate Zach Webster also had a double. 

Bountiful stepped back out of region play on Tuesday to face Murray. The Redhawks had some trouble in this one, getting just one hit and losing 10-0 to fall to 4-7 overall. 

The Redhawks hosted Roy on Wednesday and then play at Box Elder on Friday before facing the same Box Elder team at home April 15.