Nationals win state championship at UBBA tournament
by Jeff Richards
contributing writer
2 years ago | 546 views | 0 0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Moab Nationals players and coaches pose for a photo immediately after the Nationals win the UBBA state championship last week. Shown here, (from left, top row) Coaches Conrad Yanito, and Shane Ward, head coach Wyland Wright, and coaches Tyson Lesmeister and Cody Hopkins, (middle row, from left) Miguel J.R. Infante, Cody Stevenson, Keyshawn Yanito, Christian Wilson, and (front row, from left) Nick Downard, Makai Lee, Alec Williams, Masen Ward, Jonathan Sushi Park, Gage Souza, Taylor Randall, and Traykun Lesmeister.
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The Moab Nationals of the local Mustang baseball league (for boys in third and fourth grades) went undefeated and took first place at the Utah Boys Baseball Association’s state tournament held in Lehi last week.

The Nationals, sponsored by Bowen Motel, went to state after finishing with a league-leading 10-2 record during the regular season.

At the three-day state tournament, the Nationals won their first three games of the early round pool play, defeating the Springville Angels, the Spanish Fork Cubs, and Moroni. The Nationals then beat the Payson White Sox to secure a spot in the final-four medal round Thursday, July 16.

Pitchers for the Nationals during their victories included Keyshawn Yanito, Alec Williams, and Masen Ward.

In their first game Thursday afternoon, the Nationals came from behind to beat the Pleasant Grove Diamondbacks 13-10 in extra innings.

“Our kids played very hard and never gave up, despite falling behind 8-2,” said Nationals coach Wyland Wright. “Huge plays by Miguel Infante, Jonathan “Sushi” Park, and Christian Wilson, along with timely hits by Masen Ward, Cody Stevenson, and Keyshawn Yanito delivered the victory.”

Right after winning that semifinal game, the Nationals then faced the Pleasant Grove Marlins – who were also undefeated in the tournament – for the championship.

In the deciding game, the Nationals were behind 4-2 heading into the top of the sixth and final inning, but Ward and Wilson both got on base and advanced to second and third, respectively. With two out and down to the team’s last strike, Park drove the ball into right field for a single, scoring both Ward and Wilson.

Yanito, the next batter, belted a double up the middle to score Park and put the Nationals ahead, 5-4.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wilson struck out the first two batters he faced, then recorded the final out on a grounder hit back to him. After first baseman Cody Stevenson made the catch for the final out, Nationals coaches, players, and fans rushed the field in celebration.

“This all started last season with players like Brayden Ward and Dalton McElhaney showing the younger kids on the Nationals what it took to win,” said Wright.

“Our boys were just amazing and never gave up,” Wright said. “They wanted it bad,” Wright added, thanking his assistant coaches Shane Ward, Cody Hopkins, Tyson Lesmeister, and Conrad Yanito, in addition to the players and their families.

The Nationals were treated to the traditional victory ride atop a fire engine down Moab’s Main Street on Friday. For pictures, video and comments about the team’s championship, visit myspace.com/moabnationals.
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