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South Jordan • It was the pitch Brady Lail had been waiting for all game —a high fastball. And as it cracked off his bat, sailing into center field, he started smiling.
"I just wanted another chance and got a little lucky," the senior shortstop said.
Lail's RBI double gave Bingham a 4-3 walk-off home win in the bottom of the seventh against No. 1-ranked American Fork. In a game worthy of the two top-ranked teams, and a rematch of last year's Class 5A final, the Miners prevailed in the first of three games this week.
Bingham's lineup hammered Cavemen starter Riley Otteson for 11 hits while American Fork struggled at the plate with only one. All things considered, it was impressive the Cavemen were in the game, thanks to Otteson's nine strikeouts and a number of walks, but the last Miner hit by Lail was a killer.
Less than a week after winning on a walk-off homer against Pleasant Grove, the Cavemen had to watch the tables turn as Josh Sandquist scored on the game-winner against the outfield wall.
"I thought we didn't feel ready to play today," American Fork coach Jared Ingersoll said. "I thought Riley pitched well enough for us to win. We need to play with more attitude."
Otteson came out throwing strikes, especially with a pinpoint curveball, but that wasn't always a benefit to the Cavemen. Bingham knocked six hits in the first three innings alone, and took a 3-0 lead by the fourth.
Lail finished 3-for-4 at the plate, while Brennon Lund, Sandquist and Nate Bloxham each had a pair of hits. But the Miners also struggled to convert at times, twice failing to score with two runners on and no outs.
Connor Williams pitched five innings in a one-hit effort, but struggled with his placement as the game went on. In a pivotal fifth inning, he gave up four walks and hit another batter as American Fork managed to score three. At one point, Williams loaded the bases with no outs on walks, gave up an RBI single, then hit a batter to bring in another run.
Reliever Parker Green came in for the final two innings, walking two but not allowing a run. Otteson pitched a complete game for American Fork.
Highlights
R Bingham's Brady Lail goes 3-for-4 on the day, including a walkoff RBI double.
• Bingham shells American Fork starter Riley Otteson for 11 hits but also strikes out nine times.