Prep baseball: Morgan bats stamp out Ogden 11-3 on Senior Day
With the postseason ahead, Easton Venz and the Trojans look to let the good times roll after closing the season with three straight wins
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- Easton Venz, #7 of Morgan High celebrates with teammates after hitting his second home run against Ogden High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Second baseman Cristian Martinez of Ogden High reaches for a line drive hit by Morgan High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026. The Morgan Trojans defeated the Tigers 11-3.
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- At right, Kanyon Leonelli of Morgan High slides safely to second as Cristian Martinez of Ogden High catches a late throw from the outfield during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026. The Morgan Trojans defeated the Tigers 11-3.
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- Lucas Bushell of Ogden High, #12 celebrates with teammates following his home run in the sixth inning against Morgan High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Easton Venz of Morgan High connects for a home run against Ogden High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Easton Venz of Morgan High rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Ogden High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Denver Rhodes of Ogden High attempts to field an awkward ball in the infield against Morgan High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Pitcher Karson Black of Morgan High throws to an Ogden High batter during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Cristian Martinez of Ogden High catches a late throw from home as Owen Gilson of Morgan High slides safely to second base during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026. The Morgan Trojans defeated the Tigers 11-3.
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- Tyson Talbot of Morgan High fields a ball hit by Ogden High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Right fielder Jonah Holmes of Ogden High makes a catch for an out during their region baseball match up against Morgan High at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Tyson Talbot of Morgan High throws to first for an out against Ogden High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Easton Green of Ogden High connects for a fly ball out to left field against Morgan High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Right fielder Jonah Holmes of Ogden High makes a catch for an out during their region baseball match up against Morgan High at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Braden Markham of Morgan High makes a catch for an out in left field against Ogden High during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Second baseman Cristian Martinez of Ogden High fields the ball from a Morgan High hit during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026. The Morgan Trojans defeated the Tigers 11-3.
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- At right, Easton Venz of Morgan High successfully makes it home as catcher Jase Corry of Ogden High dives in vain for a throw from the outfield during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- Lucas Bushell of Ogden High throws a pitch to a Morgan High batter during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026
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- At right, Kanyon Leonelli of Morgan High is tagged out at third by Denver Rhodes of Ogden High catches a late throw from the outfield during their region baseball match up at Ogden High in Ogden Friday, May 1, 2026. The Morgan Trojans defeated the Tigers 11-3.
OGDEN -High school baseball season is rapidly approaching the seventh-inning stretch, as Northern Utah seniors, such as Morgan High’s Easton Venz, make one last run at the crown.
No, the Trojans didn’t capture the Region 12 regular-season title, and three losses in April certainly didn’t help the cause, but Venz, homering in the top of the sixth for a six-run lead at Ogden on Friday, lent a big hand in helping Morgan end the regular season with a third consecutive win.
Venz, weighing options to play college ball in California and Vermont, tallied six RBI on a 3-of-4 day at the plate. Morgan finished with 10 different RBI on 14 hits; Karson Black picked up the win on seven hits, three runs and two strikeouts.
Rodrigo Torres, doubling in Easton Green in the sixth, and Lucas Bushell, homering on the next at-bat, put a scare in the Morgan dugout with the deficit sliced in half.
Turns out, the Trojans had six more runs in the tank for Ogden reliever Xavier Aldous. Black’s 2-RBI single and Venz’s double for three more gave the game its final notice.
“It’s good getting hot at the end of the season,” Venz said.
“We needed it. We need to get runs on the board, and it’s good to beat a 3A team in the last region game of the season so we’re ready to go to the playoffs next week.”
The playoffs are indeed near, and the Morgan (15-10, 5-2 Region 12), which dropped just two region matcups at region title-holder Grantsville and 2-13 Ben Lomond at home, is poised for at least a home berth when the 3A bracket drops next Wednesday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at uhsaa.org.
Venz didn’t make excuses for his team’s 10 losses, but also pointed to just how far the Trojans have come at the plate in recent weeks. As of Wednesday, Morgan finished the regular season batting .328 as a unit, well above the national average.
Morgan has tallied 12 or more hits per game through its last three wins over 4A East High, 3A Carbon and Ogden. Bringing that consistency to the postseason is the key, Venz said.
“I’m just worried about what team’s going to show up,” Venz said. “But I know at the end of the day that we’re just going to show up and have a good team to finish out the year.”
Inside the home dugout, Ogden reeled from a bitter Senior Day loss with one contest remaining in the regular season at home next Monday, May 4, against Emery.
It’s been another season of growing pains for the Tigers, which dropped both contests with Morgan – the first 5-4 on the road and for the second time on Wednesday – but it’s not been without steps forward, either.
The Tigers, debuting a brand new home ballfield this spring, have already surpassed last season’s 5-22 record, and among this spring’s six wins are the crosstown series with BL, as well as a nonregion victory over 6A Syracuse in March.
Ogden will certainly see its postseason draw on the road, but it’s a chance nonetheless to turn some heads after a season’s worth of experience in a competitive region.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net, X @ctbecker and Instagram @standardexaminersports.
