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Manti boys baseball unleashes 16-hit barrage in blowout over Grand County

ByGreg Knight
Manti’s Gregg Powell, No. 5, throws a fastball toward Grand County batter Blake McGuffee, No. 1. Photo by Greg Knight.

MANTI—Even under blustery, rain-threatening skies, Manti did not wait long to take control against Grand County on Tuesday, March 31, at home.

The Templars erupted for 16 hits and broke the game open early, rolling to a 13-1 win over the Red Devils in the non-region matchup.
Manti, 8-6, set the tone with a run in the first inning before delivering a decisive six-run second that turned a tight contest into a runaway. The Templars added five more runs in the third, putting the game firmly out of reach.

In all, Manti scored 13 runs on 16 hits and played error-free baseball, putting together one of its most complete performances of the season.
The Templars scored in four of five innings, highlighted by the six-run second and five-run third. The offense consistently found gaps and capitalized on opportunities, stringing together rallies that kept Grand County on its heels.

Grand County, 1-12, managed its lone run in the fifth inning but could not generate momentum against Manti’s pitching staff.

Kellen Lund, left, No. 3, receives congratulations from his Templar teammates after hitting a home run against Grand County on Tuesday, March 31. Photo by Greg Knight.

Manti’s Kellen Lund hit a home run and finished with two runs on two hits and three RBIs. Stephen Robbins scored three runs on three hits and added two RBIs and a triple. Spencer Robbins recorded two runs and three RBIs and added a double. Durke Larsen and Zach Blackham also finished with two runs each, while Gregg Powell and Carter Keisel each scored once for the Templars. Blackham led the team with three steals, while Larsen and Spencer Robbins each stole two bases. Lund also had a steal.

Defensively, Maddox Holder turned a double play, while Adam Andreasson recorded an assist.

On the mound, the Templars were just as effective.

Lund got the start and worked two innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two. Powell followed with three strong innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three to close things out.

Together, the duo held Grand County to four hits and prevented any sustained offensive threat.
Results for the Templars’ April 7 home game against Emery in 3A Region 13, as well as the April 8 non-region home game against Delta, were not available by press time.