This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
West Jordan • Millard coach Jeremy Teeples really has no explanation for what happened Saturday at the Class 2A state baseball tournament.
First, the Eagles took down Summit Academy, the Region 14 champs. Then what they did to Gunnison, the No. 2 seed from Region 16, later in the afternoon left him speechless.
Millard beat Gunnison 17-2 in five innings.
"We just have good kids," Teeples said. "We just kept believing and kept fighting. Sometimes good things happen to good people. I can't explain it. If I could, I'd write a book and make lots of money.
"Gunnison is a powerhouse, and they are one of the most respected programs in 2A. That's a classy organization. They're impressive, and that's what makes it really sweet."
Millard, the fourth place team from Region 13, erupted for 15 hits, including six extra-base hits. Every starter had at least one hit.
After the Bulldogs jumped on top in the first inning with a solo homer from Braden Harris, Millard responded with six runs in the second to take charge.
The key to the game came in the bottom of the second inning when Gunnison loaded the bases with no outs, but starting pitcher Derek Martinez wiggled off the hook when he struck out the next two batters and got out of the inning with a fly out.
Then it was on. The Eagles scored two more runs in the third and another in the fourth. They officially made it a blow out with eight runs in the fifth to end the game early due to the 10-run rule.
Millard's Dakota Bullock had the big hit in the second inning. He hit a three-run homer to chase Gunnison starter Mason Powell. Erick Alcala singled in two more runs in the third then the Eagles put an exclamation point on the win with a monster fifth inning. T.J. Stevens doubled in a pair of runs, and Alcala tripled in two before scoring when an errant throw went into the Millard dugout.
Millard will play Emery at 11 a.m. Thursday at Kearns High School. Gunnison will try to avoid elimination when it plays Manti at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Storylines Millard 17, Gunnison 2
R The Eagles pull off a surprising blowout in the second round. Class 2A playoffs
Thursday's schedule at Kearns High
Winners bracket
11 a.m. • Millard vs. Emery
1:30 p.m. • Kanab vs. Grand County
Losers bracket
11 a.m. • North Sevier vs. Parowan
11 a.m. • San Juan vs. Richfield
1:30 p.m. • Manti vs. Gunnison Valley
1:30 p.m. • Enterprise vs. Beaver