By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

With an 8-2 win over the Glide Wildcats on Friday, May 23, the Burns Hilanders advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A State Baseball Championships.

Tommy Ghost Dog picked up the win, giving up just two runs on six hits, with three strike outs and one walk in seven innings.

The Hilander defense came up big in the game, turning two double plays in the late innings to shut down potential Wildcat rallies.

Burns never trailed in the game as they scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.

Caleb Feist led off with a single and Garrett Swisher drew a base on balls. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Ghost Dog brought them home with a single to right.

After two groundouts, Jory Fritts singled to score Ghost Dog.

Glide came back with solo runs in the second and third innings to cut the Hilander lead to one.

In the bottom of the third, Ghost Dog singled to lead off the inning and Fritts again brought him in with an RBI-single.

In the fourth, Trevor Smith scored for the Hilanders on Ghost Dog’s single.

The Hilanders then put the game away with a three-run rally in the top of the fifth. The Hilanders loaded the bases with one out, two walks and a single.

Trevor Smith then singled to drive in Drew Heinz.

Feist lined a single to centerfield to bring Dallon Swindlehurst home, and Matt Ogata was thrown out at home on a perfect strike by the centerfielder.

Smith scored the third and final run of the inning on a wild pitch.

Ghost Dog went 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBIs and two runs scored. Smith was 3-for-3 with one RBI and two scores, Feist went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored and Fritts finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Burns traveled to take on the Colton Vikings in the semi-final game on Tuesday, May 27. Results were not available at press time.

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Ghost Dog threw a no-hitter to lead the Burns Hilanders to a 7-0 win over Jefferson in the first round of the Class 3A State Baseball Championships on Tuesday, May 20.

“Tommy threw a great game,” Burns coach Kevin Feist said. “He was dominant.”

Ghost Dog struck out 12 and walked just one batter while picking up his 13th win of the season.

After two scoreless innings, the Hilanders finally got on the scoreboard in the third, rallying for five runs with two outs.

With one out, Smith drew a walk, and Feist hit into a fielder’s choice. Garrett Swisher followed with a single, and Ghost Dog walked to load the bases.

Clean-up hitter Logan Garner then came to plate and singled to drive in the Hilanders first two runs. An RBI-single by Heinz made it 3-0, and Fritts brought Garner and Heinz home with another single.

Burns added two runs in the sixth on an RBI-double by Feist and a throwing error.

“The kids played great,” coach Feist said. “It was nice to go on the road in the playoffs and get a win. I’m proud of the kids for how they bounced back after a tough loss to Grant Union.”

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