The Miners baseball squad dominated visiting Cedar all series this week. Park City took them down 13-2 in game one Thursday, and sought the series close out win Friday afternoon.
Friday, the Miners led 5-1 heading into the sixth inning. Cedar then jacked a three run homer to make things tight heading into seventh. Then, onto the mound came Park City star Justin Michaelis.
Michaelis is a Rice University football commit, off to play offensive line for the Owls. The imposing first baseman is also the Miners best hitter, the state’s new leading career doubles hitter at 50 and their closer when all the chips are down. Friday, he delivered the goods with a little help from his outfield.
Cedar put two men on base with two outs by no fault of Michaelis. Then, a Cedar batter laced a ball into right field — it appeared the Reds had evened things up. Suddenly, to the shock of all the players and fans, James Moran emerged with the ball.
Moran swung the ball into the infield in elation, threw his hat up in the air and the Miners rushed him for a dog pile. The celebrations were well underway.
“It was awesome,” said Michaelis. “At first you didn’t know if he caught it or not, so there was a little moment of disbelief. Then it was just pure joy.”
Michaelis and the group will remember Friday’s finish regardless of how the season ends. Head coach David Feasler, who played for the Miners from 2007-10, got emotional when discussing the win. It was the team’s last-ever game on their home field, with a new turf field scheduled to be built this offseason.
“We’re really excited about it,” added Feasler on the win and advancing onto bracket play at Utah Tech University next week. “The goals at the beginning of the season were to win the region and go play at Utah Tech. … What a sendoff for this place!”
The Miners won’t overdo their preparations for bracket play. They’ve got Timpanogos first up on the docket Monday at 7 p.m. Park City will take Saturday off before practicing Sunday, partially alongside their moms for Mother’s Day.
Timpanogos took down the Miners not once, but twice last spring, and it’s safe to say this year’s group wants some revenge. The staff will watch film to install strategies for Monday’s game, but otherwise they’re confident their best baseball will be enough. Bracket play is double-elimination until a state champion is crowned May 17.
“Just throw it over the plate, and usually good things happen,” Michaelis said. “It’s going to be hot, but we’re excited, super pumped. … Being beat by a team once is enough, but twice is a lot, so we really want to beat them.”
To keep an eye on the Miners results next week, see the UHSAA bracket. All games will be held at Utah Tech.
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