Back-to-back: Sugar-Salem adds another blue trophy to its collection, Marsh Valley takes third

IDAHO FALLS – There’s a lot that goes into winning a state championship, but sometimes talent and a little luck can be a tough combination to beat.

And sometimes, no matter how much talent or luck you have, those unexpected moments pop up to seal the deal.

Sugar-Salem senior Ben Aldrich missed the team’s championship run last year after injuring his labrum and bicep. He hadn’t pitched in two years, but there he was Saturday taking the mound in relief against a powerful Fruitland lineup with the 4A state title on the line.

Four innings later, there he was again, celebrating with his teammates after the Diggers held off the Grizzlies 9-5 to win their second consecutive state title.

Aldrich earned the win, allowing just one earned run in four innings.

“It was amazing,” he said. “It felt good to get back out there and help my team out with a win.”

Aldrich did more than pitch.

Dawson McInelly put the Diggers up 1-0 in the first with an RBI single to left.

Aldrich came up two batters later and turned on a curveball, hitting a towering shot to left for his fourth homer of the year, giving Sugar-Salem a 3-0 lead.

Fruitland added a run in the second, but the game was eventually stopped as a thunder storm pounded the area.

After about an hour delay in which spectators had to vacate the bleachers due to lightning, play resumed and Fruitland put together a big third inning.

Aldrich came in with the bases loaded and gave up a two-run single and another run on a fielder’s choice.

Fruitland, which entered the 4A state tournament as the No. 1 seed and was unbeaten prior to Sugar-Salem handing the Grizzlies their first loss on Thursday, appeared to have all the momentum after the delay.

That was until McInelly led off the bottom of the inning with a blast over the fence in left to tie the game.

Sugar-Salem hit 35 home runs entering Saturday’s state championship game, but that might have been the most impactful.

It tied the game and seemed to rejuvenate a Diggers squad that had no problem putting runs on the board in the regular season.

It was McInelly’s state-leading 14th homer of the year.

The Diggers (22-4) finally broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a two-run single by Jackson Gardner and a two-run triple by Sam Chappell for a 9-4 advantage.

Fruitland (28-2) added a run in the sixth but would no closer.

The game was eventually stopped before the bottom of the sixth inning as another rain storm moved over the area.

Sugar-Salem coach Brady Gardner said the decision was made by an Idaho High School Activities Association representative in conjunction with the field umpires.

The Sugar-Salem celebration ensued.

“It was a big motivation for me,” Aldrich said of earning a state title after missing last season. “I know there was a lot riding on back-to-back. I wasn’t a part of it last year, but it was great to be able to feel like I was a part of it this year.”

“It’s always been a goal to win a state championship,” said McInelly, who finished 2 for 2 with three RBIs. “But to do it is just crazy. I can’t even describe what the feeling is right now. Everyone is just so excited and I’m proud of my team and the seniors and couldn’t be happier.”

It was the fifth state team championship for McInelly, who finishes his high school career with three football and two baseball state titles.

Coach Brady Gardner said the team had a chip on its shoulder after the Diggers were slotted as the No. 4 seed in the four-team state tournament.

But that emotion changed during the team’s celebration following the trophy presentation.

“It’s a sad day,” Gardner said about losing eight seniors and a group of players he’s coached since they were 9-year-olds. “It’s happy and sad. I just can’t believe we’re done with these guys and I’m sure the joy is going to come, but for right now, I want to keep watching these guys play … I’m excited to keep following them in their (college) careers.”

Fruitland 5, Marsh Valley 1
Marsh Valley fell to Fruitland in Saturday’s elimination game, but earned the 4A third-place trophy.

Shortstop Tate Whitworth knocked in a run for the Eagles (26-3) but the Grizzlies put together a five-run third inning and didn’t relinquish the lead.