OREM — Copper Hills catcher Luke Miller is getting pretty good at this walk-off home run business.
Miller blasted a solo walk-off in the eighth inning to lift the Grizzlies to a 6-5 win over Skyline in an elimination game in the 5A state tournament on Tuesday afternoon. It was Miller's second walk-off in his last six games.
Miller also hit a grand slam walk-off against West Jordan as the Grizzlies were fighting to get into the state tournament during the final week of the regular season. Tuesday's solo blast meant more to Miller, as it kept Copper Hills' season alive.
"It's a dream come true (to do it) in the playoffs," Miller said.
Miller's walk-off capped an outstanding performance. He also tied the game at 5-5 with a two-run home run in the third.
"It was an incredible day," Miller said.
Miller's second blast of the game brought an abrupt end to a game between two teams that have a lot of experience playing against each other this season. They faced each other in a 13-inning classic in the preseason that was won by Skyline, 8-7.
The rematch looked to have the potential of being another marathon. Neither team could break the 5-5 tie after Miller's first home run of the game. Skyline had the best chance of doing it in the seventh when Trey Nielsen singled and advanced to third with one out.
The Eagles, however, couldn't bring him home, and the Grizzlies made them pay in the eighth.
Copper Hills also battled back from a 5-2 deficit after Skyline scored four runs in the third. Zach Watts hit an RBI single before Miller tied it with his two-run shot.
"We could have rolled over, but we didn't," said Grizzlies coach John Morgan. "We battled back. The kids are hanging in there. They're playing good ball."
Pitcher Quin Wright threw all eight innings for Copper Hills. He buckled down after the third, holding the Eagles to just three hits in the final five innings.
Wright knows something about coming on strong. He started the season 2-4, but has won his last six decisions.
"He threw a great game — just unbelievable," Miller said of Wright, who also had a sacrifice fly RBI in the first. "It got tough, and he got through it. He did a good job for us."
The Grizzlies will play Riverton in an elimination game on Wednesday. If they win that game, they'll play a second game in the evening.
Copper Hills is confident it can keep rolling.
"We're gonna keep it going — it's not can we — we will," Morgan said.
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