The Burley Green Sox defeated the Rocky Mountain Avalanche 13-8 in the “A” Legion State Baseball Tournament Sunday evening at Halliwell Park to force a decisive winner-take-all game today.

    With the win, Burley kept their season alive as a loss would have crowned the Avalanche state champions.

    The victor of today’s contest will go hoist the state title trophy. Both teams have already earned spots in next week’s Northwest Regional Tournament as Burley is the host and Rocky Mountain will get the automatic bid from the state of Idaho.

    Rocky Mountain started on top and it appeared the team would coast to the finish line. The Avalanche had an 8-4 lead going into the fifth inning, but Burley responded with a late scoring charge and pushed across seven runs in their half of the frame.

    After the big rally, the Burley defense played flawless baseball the rest of the game and didn’t allow any runs.

    Offense was the deciding factor in the contest as the two teams combined for 21 runs on 32 hits. Every batter in both lineups managed at least one hit. For Burley, Taylor Carson had a great day from the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and an inside the park home run. Carson finished with 4 RBI for the game.

    Jason Boemher also had a productive day offensively. He went 4-for-5 and chipped in 2 RBI.

    Defensively Joe Farrin picked up the win in relief for Burley. Leadoff hitter Dev Christianson led the offensive charge for Rocky Mountain as he finished 4-for-5 from the plate with 3 RBI.

    Rob Christianson took the loss on the mound for Rocky Mountain.

    The final game for the State Championship will be played today at noon at Halliwell Park.

Burley 13, Rocky Mountain 8

Rocky Mountain    103    220    0 — 8 12 1

Burley    200    272    x — 13 20 2

Rocky Mountain — C. Parish, S. Dice, R. Chrisianson, D. Travis, and H. Weindell. Burley — T. Carson, J. Farrin, and J. Darington (B). 2B — S.Warders (RM), K.Bassmen (RM), B. Weber (RM),  J. Boemher (B), J. Farrin (B), J. Darington (B). 3B — K. Bassmen (RM), J. Cluff (RM), T. Carson (B), J. Darington (B), R. Neverez (B), J. Mills (B). HR — T. Carson (B).