Roosevelt's American Legion team toppled Price 5-4, 4-1 to advance to the American Legion State Baseball Tournament that opened play on Saturday, July 24, but credit goes to outstanding pitching by Roosevelt's starters Rhett Gilley and C.J. Nebeker – both pitched complete games – a stellar defense that produced three double plays and key hits by Roosevelt batters. The contests were played in 100 degree temperatures in Roosevelt.

Price jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first in the July 16 game. Nico Velasquez hit a double and Joe McKinnon singled – moving Velasquez to third base. Dorian Scoville doubled in Velasquez for the first run of the game. Gilley got out of the jam by getting Max Misner to ground out.

Roosevelt had runners on base in the first and second innings, but didn't score until the third when they pumped out four runs for a 4-1 edge over Price.

Nielsen was walked in the third and C.J. Nebeker singled Nielsen in for a 1-1 tie. Hyder slugged a double that sent home Nebeker with a 2-1 Roosevelt lead.

Roosevelt still had more power left with Eldredge being walked and Hyder scoring on Wes Crozier's ground out plus Eldredge added a run on a bad throw to third base that had Roosevelt in charge with a three-run 4-1 edge.

After a home run by Velasquez in the bottom of the third cut Roosevelt's edge to two at 4-2, Roosevelt added one run for a 5-2 advantage in the top of the fourth.

Gilley had a pretty good third as Damron flied out and Johnathan Garcia and McKinnon struck out. It was the homer that hurt the most.

Roosevelt's Gilley got that Price run back in the fourth as he led off with a single and scored on Nielsen's single for a three-run Roosevelt advantage. Price's catcher made a super diving catch of a foul ball for an out.

Scoville led off with a walk for Price in the bottom of the fourth and Misner had a ball he hit dropped in center field for an error. However, Roosevelt made up for the misplay to get Anthony Montoya to hit into a double play. His brother Marcus Montoya hit a fly ball into right field for the final out.

Hatch was walked with two outs, but Gilley struck out for the third out in the top of the fifth, and then Roosevelt's Nebeker pulled off a defensive gem. Stewey Jones hit a hard shot, which Nebeker bagged at third base for a lead off out in the bottom of the fifth. The play by Nebeker came at the right time as the next batter Damron slugged a double. Gilley got out of the inning on a grounder and another catch at third base for the third out.

“Nebeker's catch of a hard hit ball at third base was a play for the highlight reel,” said Roosevelt Coach Joe Arnold.

Alex Horrocks and Nielsen singled in the top of the sixth and Hyder was walked to load up the bases, but they were stranded, and then Roosevelt fans got nervous with Price scoring three runs to narrow the gap to one at 5-4 in its half of the sixth.

Scoville singled in front of Roosevelt's center fielder, but was forced at second base on a Misner fielder's choice. A. Montoya singled and an error allowed Misner to cross home plate. M. Montoya singled and Jones doubled with two outs to drive in A. Montoya. Gilley got out of the jam with Damron flying out to a Roosevelt outfielder

Crozier led off with a single for Roosevelt in the top of the seventh. However, Price turned a double play to end the top of the seventh, which gave them hope in their half of the seventh.

With two outs and Roosevelt up 5-4, Price's McKinnon was walked, but the comeback hope vanished when Gilley whiffed the final batter, Scoville to end the game in favor of Roosevelt. Gilley got the first two outs on Garcia's pop fly and a strikeout of Velasquez.

Earlier Colton “Speedy” Nielsen led off the top of the first with a walk. He stole second base. However, he didn't advance to home plate as Nebeker, Hyder and Justin Eldredge hit fly balls that were caught for outs. Weston Crozier opened second inning play with a single. Crozier was stranded with Price pitcher Tyson Damron striking out Gentry Hatch, Mitch Hall and getting Gilley on a pop up.

Chanse Hyder belted out a home run in the first inning of the second game and C.J. Nebeker led off with a double in the third and came home on Alex Horrocks' single for a 3-1 edge. Jesse Hyder ripped out a single to score Justin Eldredge. Nebeker, C. Hyder, Gilley and Horrocks had key hits in the first game win over Price

Coach Arnold was proud of his pitchers, Gilley and Nebeker out on the mound and especially his catcher Justin Eldredge.

“Gilley pitched well and had good location. He has a good fast ball and changes speed with his knuckle ball and change up. Nebeker's curve was working well. He had great stuff and kept hitters off balance all day,” he said. “Eldredge called a great game behind the plate. I let him call all the pitches.”

Roosevelt's coach was also pleased with his team's defensive play and three double plays.

“We had two double plays in the first contest and one in the second game, which were key in the wins over Price,” he said. Gentry Hatch played shortstop with Chanse Hyder and Mitch Hall taking turns at second base. Weston Crozier played first base.

Roosevelt played Taylorsville (third place team from the Salt Lake City Region) on Saturday at Kearns in the state meet. Helper won the Salt Lake City Region. Roosevelt won its region, but qualified as an independent team.