The Grand County High School baseball, softball and boys soccer teams began competition this week, with the Red Devils going 3-0 at the Bloomfield Invitational baseball tournament and dominating South Sevier 7-0 on the soccer pitch, while the Lady Red Devils went 2-3 at an invitational in St. George over the weekend.
Grand’s baseball team, ranked No. 1 in 2A by the Deseret News, showed why they were picked so high by allowing only one run in three games in Bloomfield, New Mexico. The Red Devils defeated Bernalillo, New Mexico, 6-0 on Thursday, March 9; the following day, they shut out Shiprock, New Mexico, 8-0; and in the tournament title game, they beat host Bloomfield, 5-1.
Junior Brayden Schultz led the way with a home run on Thursday, while junior Masen Ward smacked a pair of doubles and ace pitcher junior Josh Jones earned the win on the mound. On Friday, junior Bruin Meador and senior Christian Wilson each hit doubles while Caden Noyes was the winning pitcher. Ward earned the pitching victory as Grand scored 5 runs on 9 hits in the title game Saturday, highlighted by a double from Schultz.
The Red Devils were scheduled to play host to Nucla, Colorado, on Tuesday, March 14. They host Delta and Summit Academy in a double header on Saturday, March 18, with games at 11 a.m., and 1 p.m., before beginning region play at Monticello on Tuesday, March 21.
For the Red Devils soccer team, Jameson Hawks and Deklynd Chant each scored two goals and Aaron Hawks didn’t allow a South Sevier goal as Grand won its season opener 7-0 on Thursday, March 9. Jose Tavares, Marco Cruz and Thomas Schmaedicke also scored for Grand.
The Red Devils were scheduled to play a non-region match at home versus Richfield on Tuesday, March 14. They travel for region matches at South Sevier on Thursday, March 16, and at Emery on Tuesday, March 21. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
The Lady Red Devils played five games over two days, beginning the season unranked, despite going undefeated in region play in 2016. Grand is led by seniors Tia Shumway and Anissa Geiser, juniors Tyra Robertson and Raegan Paxman, and sophomore Hannah Owen.
On Friday, March 10, Grand lost to American Fork 9-3 and Wasatch 4-0 before picking up an 11-0 win against Provo. The following day, the Lady Red Devils defeated Granger 11-5 and lost to South Sevier 10-4.
Grand was scheduled to host Carbon on Tuesday, March 14. The Lady Red Devils are next scheduled to play a home game versus Emery on Tuesday, March 21, at 3:30 p.m.
The Utah State 2A girls basketball coaches also picked their all-state teams this week, with Grand sophomore center Veda Gritts earning an honorable mention. For the second straight year, North Sevier’s Peyton Torgerson was the 2A MVP.
Grand’s three remaining spring sports teams begin competition over the next 10 days as the track team competes in Price at the Farm Bureau Invitational on Saturday, March 18, the girls golf team competes in Green River on Wednesday, March 22, and the boys tennis team competes at an invitational in St. George on Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25.
Baseball and boys soccer teams have impressive debuts
When: Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m.
What: Red Devil baseball versus Summit Academy
When: Saturday, March 18, at 1 p.m.
Where: Grand County High School baseball field, 608 S. 400 East