by Abby Palmer

STAFF WRITER

Grantsville shortstop Kelsi Wells recorded all three outs in the seventh inning to help her team snuff out a Morgan rally and preserve a 6-5 victory over the Trojans in Grantsville on Friday.

"Even though the game wasn't going to change our position in the region we came out and played hard," said Grantsville coach Heidi Heath.

Grantsville finished second in Region 11 two games behind unbeaten Bear River.

Wells' defense helped the Cowboys throughout the game. With her sharp fielding skills and powerful right arm, she was able to assist in a number of outs firing the ball over to first base.

Wells even started the scoring for her team stealing home in the third inning. After her theft, the Cowboys picked up steam and scored three more in the bottom of the second. Breanna Bunderson and Mallory Oltjenbruns scored on a double by Korryn Coats who then scored on a double by Krysta Taylor.

Down 4-0, Morgan finally scored in the top of the fourth with a double to bring home a lone run.

Morgan added a run in the fifth inning to slice Grantsville's lead to 4-2, but the Cowboys pushed it to 5-2 when Taylor doubled again and came home on a single by Lynnzie Valdez.

Lindsey Dalton came on in the sixth inning in relief of sophomore pitcher Chelsee P. Dalton.

The Trojans managed a run in the sixth, but Grantsville went up 6-3 in the bottom of the inning when Coates doubled home Oltjenbruns.

Morgan rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh, but Lindsey Dalton forced Morgan batters into hitting ground balls for outs.

"I was happy to get the win," Heath said. "Morgan is always a tough win."

Grantsville opens the state tournament on Saturday against Union at noon at Cedar City High School. Union finished in third place in Region 10.

apalmer@tooeletranscript.com