The 3A state championship series kicked off with a bang as top-seeded Union edged out No. 2 Grantsville in a thrilling Game 1 battle. This best-of-three showdown lived up to the hype, delivering all the drama and intensity you'd expect from two powerhouse programs going head-to-head for the title.
Offensively, the Cougars found their spark from Gannon Labrum and Tyson Marx, who each drove in two RBIs to keep the pressure on Grantsville's defense. On the mound, Dylan Watahomigie earned the win with a gritty six-inning performance, striking out five batters and giving his team a chance to rally when it mattered most.
"That game had lots of ups and downs. Both teams are very competitive. Both teams know how to fight back, and when we play each other, we know it's never over between the two teams," said Union head coach Matt Labrum. "You gotta fight until the last out. Grantsville is a well-coached team and they're well disciplined. We've had a lot of good battles through the years, and I expect the same thing tomorrow."
The game started with Union striking first, plating a runner from third on an RBI single in the bottom of the first. But Grantsville showed their resilience, taking a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth after a few quiet innings. The Cougars answered back immediately, scoring three runs in the bottom half to regain the lead at 4-3.
"I like how our kids showed composure. I wish we would field the ball a little better. I like how we're never out, and they never feel like we're out of it, and they're willing to come back and fight for each other," coach Labrum added.
Just when it seemed Union had control, Grantsville clawed back with two runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. But the Cowboys' pitching began to unravel in the bottom half, and Union's plate discipline turned the tide. The Cougars scored three runs—all on bases loaded walks—to snatch a 7-5 lead heading into the seventh inning.
"With our guys, we talk a lot about plate discipline and being able to hit our pitches and know what a ball and a strike is," coach Labrum explained. "It obviously changes due to the umpire, too, so you have to adjust to the umpire zone, and I was real proud of our guys."
With Game 1 in the books, all eyes turn to the next matchup. Can Grantsville bounce back and force a decisive Game 3, or will Union close out the series and claim the championship? One thing's for sure—this rivalry is far from over.