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Northridge High's Trevin Redd, right, leaps to secure a throw while Clearfield's Cooper Munford dives toward second base during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Clearfield High baseball players line up before a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Northridge High's Brock Larsen sees in a pitch during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Clearfield High's Ryan Frei, bottom, slides safely into home plate during a Region 5 baseball game against Northridge on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Northridge High's Nixon Brimley connects with a Clearfield pitch during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Clearfield High's Brady Reynolds rears back to throw a pitch to a Northridge batter during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Northridge High's Isaac Anderson take a cut at a Clearfield pitch during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Clearfield High's Brody Mower fields a ball on the infield during a Region 5 baseball game against Northridge on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Northridge High's Eli Mitchell motors around the bases during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Northridge High's Trevin Redd slides safely into home while Clearfield pitcher Brady Reynolds arrives to cover the plate during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Clearfield High's Hank Campbell gets around on a Northridge pitch during a Region 5 baseball game Friday, April 17, 2026, in Clearfield.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

❮ ❯

CLEARFIELD — It is a given that high school baseball umpires are unbiased when they are officiating a game.

But on Friday, a call that had nothing to do with balls and strikes or a play on the field had unintended consequences in Clearfield’s 11-5 victory over Northridge in Region 5 play.

In addition to tax day, Wednesday, April 15, was Jackie Robinson Day and the Falcons celebrated by having all players wear No. 42 in his honor.

Wednesday was an away game, so Clearfield coach Steve Ross wanted to let the hometown fans see his players commemorate the occasion, so Friday, they again donned the same set of No. 42s.

Things went well until the second inning when the men in blue took issue with the identical numbers and stopped the game, requiring the Falcons to stencil black magic-marker numbers above the 42 on each player’s back.

When the game resumed, Clearfield (10-9, 9-3 Region 5) was highly motivated, scoring five runs and batting around in the bottom of the second inning, turning a 2-2 tie into a 7-2 lead.

“I bought the jerseys a few years ago and it’s been received very well from everybody, even though I had to explain who Jackie Robinson is; respect for people when they wear it. Nobody’s ever had an issue about it before,” Ross said. “I told them, ‘Don’t think too much about writing another number on the jersey, it’s OK. Just go hit.'”

The inning was keyed by a two-out, two-run triple to right-center by Clearfield catcher Brodie Deal that rolled unfettered all the way to the wall.

“It got chippy in the second inning; I’m OK with that. The kids lit a fire on their own and we put up five runs in the inning with a couple of two-out hits,” Ross said. “We needed a spark when you play a team three times, even though it’s a rival. It doesn’t matter who it is. That was next-level.”

The Knights (5-11, 4-5) were their own worst enemy in the inning, walking three batters and committing an error, compounding the calamity that wasn’t their making.

“Steve and I talked earlier in the week and he told me they were wearing the jerseys on our home field Wednesday, and I said, ‘Cool, no problem.’ I didn’t have a problem with it today either; it was just up to the umpires,” Northridge coach Blake Redd said. “We gave up nine free bases (seven walks and two hit batters) and five errors. That was the problem.”

Deal batted 2 for 3 with five RBIs, also hitting a two-run single to the right side along with a sacrifice fly, while facing three different Northridge pitchers in the process.

“I had the approach to go to right-center, like I always do. The hit between first and second was the goal, a ground ball into right field,” Deal said. “On the triple, the kid before was throwing pretty well and when they switched him out, I knew I needed a big swing. I had a chance to end it with the bases-loaded sacrifice fly, but it happened to go right to him.”

Brady Reynolds pitched 5 1/3 innings to get the win for Clearfield, striking out seven, scattering four hits and walking four. He allowed two runs in the first inning before finding his groove.

“The first inning was a little rough, but I came back from it, throwing more strikes and letting my defense work,” Reynolds said. “I usually start Game 3 of a series and mixed a four-seamer, slider and splitter in there today.”

Reynolds, Chase Marriott, Ryan Frei, Christian Taylor and Ethan Reimer all scored two runs each for the Falcons.

Frei smashed a three-run, bases-loaded double in the third inning, giving the Falcons a 10-2 lead at the time.

Second baseman Trevin Redd hit a home run for the Knights, and left fielder Isaac Anderson had two RBIs.

Clearfield swept the three-game series with the Knights, and Ross got a little emotional after the win.

“I’m going to try and not let my allergies show up; it’s been a long series. I am so proud of you kids. I’m happy to have a group of kids that believe in each other. This is fun,” Ross said. “All the culture and environment is contagious. Even if you lose, if you learn, that’s how you get better. The way you’re winning right now is gratifying.”

There was a lot of losing earlier this season. The Falcons lost their first nine games of the year, but have now won 10 straight.

“Our preseason schedule was tough; we got worked. I wanted my kids to see what those programs looked like. We talked about learning to win, leaving the preseason behind,” Ross said. “After Fremont worked us pretty good, the kids got on a roll, started playing for each other, making the plays they needed to make and not pressing too hard. Passion is good, but don’t let it get in the way of doing the little things.

“Play with a little bit of swagger. Your parents and this community are watching the way you play baseball right now. We don’t know how to quit, and don’t know how to stop,” Ross said. “We’ve been down and come back in those 10 wins. Now don’t take your eyes off Box Elder (next week) and we’ll see what happens with West Field. Who knows?”

BOX ELDER 17, BONNEVILLE 2

WASHINGTON TERRACE — Box Elder scored 10 runs in the fourth inning to trigger the run rule in a region win at Bonneville.

Bryson Wight batted 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs for Box Elder (5-11, 4-5 Region 5). Kadyn Reyes and Korbin Jeppesen each hit a single and a double, and combined for three RBIs. Jack Stewart went 2 for 4 and drove in three. Maddox Earnest hit a two-run double and Bosten Steacie added an RBI double.

Korver Smith pitched three innings for the win with three hits and two strikeouts.

Korver Smith hit an RBI double for Bonneville (5-14, 1-11). Noah McBride, Jaygen Noble and Trevyn Sears each hit a single.

OTHER SCORES

Fremont 11, Roy 1

Farmington 6, Weber 5

BOYS SOCCER

LAYTON 4, WEBER 3

LAYTON — Layton led 2-1 at the half and made that lead stand up in a region win over Weber.

Layton (5-3, 3-2 Region 1) did not report stats.

Teagan Erickson, Trey Jones and Tate Johnstun each scored for Weber (7-6, 1-4). Owen Simerick assisted one goal.

SCORES, NO STATS REPORTED

Syracuse 1, Davis 0

Ridgeline 8, Bear River 0

SOFTBALL

CLEARFIELD 12, SYRACUSE 11

CLEARFIELD — Clearfield scored one run in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome six Syracuse home runs and walk off the Titans.

Brynn Nicholls batted 3 for 5 for Clearfield (13-4) with a double and two RBIs. Capri Harris went 2 for 3 with a double and drove in two. Emma Dishongh doubled, singled and drove in one. Teaghan McNabb earned the win with six hits, two runs and three strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings.

Paizlee Prathan batted 4 for 4 with two solo home runs for Syracuse (7-9). Oaklee Derrickson (two runs), Breanna Holbrook (two runs), Olivia Brown (solo shot) and Eryn Hamblin (two runs) each hit a homer.

SCORES, NO STATS REPORTED

Bear River 17, Deseret Peak 2

Salem Hills 12, Fremont 2

Hurricane 14, Ogden 4

Justin B. Johnson contributed to score reports.