Monday, April 27, 2009

Lehi-PG Soccer

Timp Sports Weekly
April 26, 2009


Publisher's Message

For this week, we look mainly at stories covering rivalries between Lehi and Pleasant Grove in soccer and American Fork and Lehi in baseball. We will also examine how northern Utah County track and softball teams are doing as this year's high school spring sports seasons prepare to wind down. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Lehi Pioneers Take Down PG Kickers in Region 4 Soccer Battle
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Region Four soccer action at Pleasant Grove April 24, the Lehi Pioneers overpowered the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings 3-1. Lehi's win came in the aftermath of the Pioneers' 4-2 triumph at home against the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners.

Lehi Coach Steve McMurdie said, "We came out strong and broke the game open in the first half. We had some good finishing.

"We came back from spring break and shook off the rust at our practices. We showed a lot of good offensive and defensive performances in both of our games this week. We had defeated Lone Peak 4-2 at home last Wednesday. Tonight, we were still very composed.

Lehi never trailed in the Pleasant Grove game. As nighttime rain fell on the Vikings and Pioneers, the contest started out as a stalemated duel between Pioneer goalie Riley Anderson and his Viking counterpart Uli Estrada.

Twenty minutes into the contest, Pioneer Ben Prisendorff passed to Ryan Curtis for a goal. Less than a minute after that successful shot, Spencer Gray scored the second Lehi goal from two feet outside the goal line. Brannen McEwan scored the third Pioneer goal on a rebound of a 45-yard shot.

The Vikings refused to let the first half end with them still scoreless. As soon as Pleasant Grove had smothered a Pioneer attack in midfield, Viking John Taylor shocked the Lehi defense through scoring on a 30-yard shot.

It pumped up on the Viking offense. Levi Wright, Tom Holman, and Nate Fonseca orchestrated a string of Pleasant Grove attacks that strong tested Anderson. He did not fold under the mounting stress that the Vikings put upon him. Pioneers Hensen Keetch and Zach Morgan contributed strong defensive efforts in keeping Wright and Taylor from doing much further damage to Lehi.

In the second half, Pleasant Grove received several good opportunities at slashing the Pioneer lead more. Those chances came through corner kicks. However, Keetch and Morgan joined Anderson keeping those Viking corner kicks from turning into goals.

Unlike in the first half, Estrada didn't let Lehi extend its lead. The Viking goalie frustrated scoring attempts carried out by Gray, Ian Ramos, and Zach Hancock.

Thus neither team scored in the final period.

Meanwhile, the American Fork Cavemen fell onto hard times during last week's soccer action.
Second-half goals scored by Dave Tuttle and Brody Berry lifted the Knights to a 2-0 win on the Cavemen's field April 23. April 25 saw the Spanish Fork Dons having a gay time while winning 2-0 at American Fork. The Cavemen will be playing at Lehi April 29.


AF, Lehi Split Their Region 4 Baseball Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The American Fork Cavemen and Lehi Pioneers split their two-game Region Four baseball series last week. At Lehi On April 21, the Pioneers defeated American Fork 7-6 in a nine-inning thriller. American Fork bounced back to win 10-6 at home against Lehi April 23.

Going into the April 21 game, the Pioneers were still on a high after having won 3-2 over the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, at home April 20. That game saw T.J. Russon, Ed Day and Palmer Page each hit a double for the Pioneers.

With not having won a Region Four game so far, American Fork needed a win at Lehi to stay in the chase for the league's third state tournament spot. For a while, the Cavemen looked as though they would be able to do that.

Getting on base through an error at the start of the game, Caveman Jake Miller soon came home on a one-out double hit by Josh "Rim Hanger" Mooney. He tried turning his two-bagger into a triple, but third baseman Tanner Martin tagged him. Martin then grounded out Bo Fisher.

Walked by pitcher Mooney in the bottom of the first, Martin soon came home on Day's two-out single, hit into left.

With pitcher Luke Miller not letting the Cavemen put any runners on base during the top of the second, Lehi quickly loaded the bases during the bottom of the inning, courtesy of singles smacked by Page and Bronson Anderson. Mooney walked Luke Miller, drawing Page home. Second baseman Stu Duersch turned up a double play as Dave Morgan scored a third Lehi run. Mooney struck out Russon to retire the Pioneers to the field.

In the third's top half, Evan Wright doubled into right on one out. Lehi kept him stuck at second before he could scored the second American Fork run.

For the bottom of the third, Rem Worthen singled off Mooney on two outs. The Caveman pitcher got even with him by picking him off at first, ending the inning.

Walked by Luke Miller in the top of the fourth, Mooney soon moved to third on a Fisher single. After Ben Beddes had hit into a double play, Mooney scored a run. Kyle Hall doubled in a run to tie the game at three. Despite a double hit by Page in the bottom of the fourth, American Fork held Lehi scoreless that inning.

Swatting a one-out single into right in the top of the fifth, Jake Miller stole home home. While keeping Lehi at bay for a spell, the Cavemen built up a 5-3 lead. It vanished in the bottom of the seventh, though, when the Pioneers score two runs to force the game into extra innings.

Neither team could score in the eighth. In the top of the ninth, American Fork pulled ahead 6-5. However, after Lehi had tied the game at six in the bottom of the ninth, Lehi Coach Pat Gleave said, "Dave Morgan hit a sacrifice fly that scored Ed Day for our winning run. American Fork did have the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, but we didn't let them rally.
"

The next day in American Fork, the Spanish Fork Dons shut out the Cavemen 9-0. Spanish Fork pitcher Chase Castleberry scattered four hits while teammates Brock Duke hit a home run and Tagg Lanceford produced three RBI for the Dons.

American Fork redeemed itself April 23 when the Cavemen led the Pioneers all through the game. Ryan Evans fanned six Lehi batters while Wright hit a triple. Mooney and Fisher each contributed a double to the Cavemen's cause. Jordy Hart hit a home run for Lehi.

In a makeup game against Lone Peak at American Fork April 24, Fisher hit a home for the Cavemen. That homer was not enough for the Cavemen. Alias the Loners, the Lone Peak Knights defeated the Cavemen 5-4.

Lehi Stays in Softball Contention While AF Gets Ready to Wait for Another Year
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

While the Lehi Pioneers are looking forward to playing at the State 5-A softball tournament next month, the American Fork Cavewomen are going to have to be waiting until next spring for to have the experience of post-season play.

That was beacause in Region Four play action at American Fork April 21, the Pioneers washed the Cavewomen by a score of 15-1. American Fork went on to lose 10-2 at Pleasant Grove on April 23. Lehi, meanwhile, dropped a tight game at home April 23 when the manly Spanish Fork Lady Dons overcame them 5-2.

AF, Lehi Harriers Place at Asics Invitational
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

At the recent Asics Invitational at Orem High, American Fork took eighth in the girls' division and 12th in the boys'. Lehi took ninth in the boys' division and 15th in the girls'.

In the girls' 100-meter hurdles, Lehi's Jessica Vanderhoef took sixth and American Fork's Kristi Warren sixth.

American Fork Cavewoman Alexis Laws took fourth in the girls' 1,600-meter run. Whitney Hunter of Lehi threw her way to a ninth-place finish in the girls' discus.

Stu Stringham of American Fork took fifth in the boys' high jump. Lehi's Jose Galindo took second in the boys' shot put and fifth in the boys discus. American Fork's Willie Cameron took seventh in the boys' discus.





Saturday, April 18, 2009

Lone Peak -AF Baseball Action

Timp Sports Weekly
April 21, 2009

Publisher's Message

Because of bad weather last week, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen and Lehi Pioneers couldn't complete their crucial two-game series against Lone Peak and Timpanogos in Region Four baseball action. We will take a look at the games that the Cavemen and Pioneers did manage to play before they scattered all over for their spring break. Let's get to the report on last week's action.

Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Lone Peak Comes From Behind to Take Down Awesome Cavebatters in April 13 Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

During an April 13 game on the Lone Peak Knights' baseball diamond, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen came so close to pulling themselves out a recent slump that they had been in. However, Lone Peak rallied from behind in the sixth to defeat American Fork 11-8.

Lone Peak Coach Mike LaHarogue said, "Our guys never gave up. Dillon Robinson and Kade Andrus came up with home runs that tipped the momentum to us. Ryan Stepan pitched really well for us."

American Fork Coach Jarod Ingersoll said, "We played a real good defensive game right up to the sixth. We then let them get back into the game. We also left too many men on base. We got to go with much character and determination into our next game with Lone Peak. We'll be playing that game at our place."

The second game was supposed to have been played on April 15, but a heavy snowstorm prevented the Cavemen and the Knights from playing on the diamond. No word yet has been announced when the makeup game will be played.

In the top of the first in the April 13 game, Josh "Rim Hanger" Mooney hit a one-out single into right, moving Stu Duersch into scoring position. After Stepan struck out Bo Fisher, third baseman Mike Draper snatched a Ben Beddes fly ball to retire American Fork to the field.

For the bottom of the first, pitcher leadoff batter Brayden Matheson grounded out. However, pitcher Mooney walked two batters and gave up a right-field single to Andrus. With the bases now loaded, an Adam Kelsch walk scored Jake Hannemann. Before Lone Peak could go on a long rally, second baseman Duersch turned up a double play that kept the lead stuck at 1-0.

Also known as the Loners to American Fork kids, the Knights received a thumping from the Cavemen in the top of the second. Ryan Pitcher singled in Kyle Hall to start a four-run rally for American Fork that inning. Ryan Evans and Duersch also each hit a one-run single during the rally. Duersch scored the fourth American Fork run on a passed ball.

After Duersch had clubbed Lone Peak with a double play in the bottom of the second, Gus Williams singled Draper in. However, Robinson flew out into left field before the Knights could get a rally going.

Held scoreless in the third, the Cavemen renew scoring in the fourth. With one out, Duersch singled Evan Wright in, then came home on a Beddes double hit into left.

With American Fork ahead 6-2 in the top of the fifth, Pitcher opened that inning by whacking a left-field single. Lone Peak soon pinched the Caveman in a fielder's choice play at second. American Fork managed to load the bases on two outs. Before the Cavemen could pull off a two-run rally, first baseman Andrus intercepted a Mooney line fly.

The bottom of the fifth opened with Williams singling into center. Robinson homered him in with a shot over the left-field fence. After Andrus had slugged a single, Colton Dunn replaced Mooney at the mound. Dunn's turn as pitcher was soon done for when the Knights loaded the bases. No relation to Hank Hill of King of the Hill fame, Aaron Hill replaced Dunn as pitcher, but the Knights still rode within 6-5.

As the sixth opened with Bo Fisher hitting an infield single, the Cavemen battled to widen their lead. On one out, Hall doubled Fisher in, then scored on Pitcher's sacrifice fly. American Fork's two sixth-inning runs couldn't prove to be enough to keep the determined Knights from taking them down.

As soon as Hill had given up singles to Matheson and Williams in the bottom of the sixth, Ingersoll had Taylor Tonks take over as pitcher. Tonks' time at the mound that inning turned into a nightmare for him. After a Robinson sacrifice fly had scored a run, Andrus hit a two-run homer that tied the game at eight. Singles from Kelsch and Hannemann caused Tonks to get pulled and Jim Davis to get sent in to pitch. On two outs, Jed Goeckeritz singled in two runs, and Draper doubled him in for the final Knight run.

In the top of the seventh, Jake Miller was the only Caveman to get on base through. The other three American Fork batters that inning all flew out into outfield.

In other Region Four baseball action April 13, the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, drained the Lehi Pioneers 5-4. T-Pup Jeff Gassman hit a one-double in the bottom of the seventh to end the game. Lehi will host the T-Pups on April 22.

In a non-league softball game at American Fork April 13, the Awesome Cavewomen won 12-5 over the Provo Bulldogs, AKA Bullpuppies. Haley Holmstead and Kayla Sorensen each hit a homer to pace American Fork to its third win of the season. American Fork had recently won its first home game when the Cavewomen won 5-3 over the T-Pups.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Region Four Action for April 14

Timp Sports Weekly
April 14, 2009



Publisher's Message

The last week saw how quickly no team can be underestimated. The Lehi Pioneers, for example, shocked the much touted Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' softball team in a shutout game on April 10. Meanwhile, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen rebounded from a heartbreaking soccer loss to Pleasant Grove at home April 8 by stunning the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, 1-0. The Pioneers' soccer team also demonstrated last week that it could come back after losing at home Lehi's baseball team came really close to splitting a two-game series with the Vikings after experience a 6-1 beating in April 7 action. The Cavemen's baseball team has fallen onto frustrating times through losing two straight games last week. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Pioneer Batters Drop 2 Region 4 Baseball Game to Ferocious PG Vikings
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Lehi Pioneers came up on the losing end both times in their two-game series against the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings during the start of Region Four baseball action last week. At Pleasant Grove, the Vikings soaked up Lehi 6-1 in an April 7 game. While rainy weather had caused cancellations of other Region Four baseball games, the Pioneers and Vikings managed to get their contest at Lehi played on April 9. The Vikings staved off the determined Pioneers 8-7 in that game.

In the first Pleasant Grove game, Lehi's Ed Day scored the afternoon's first run in the second inning. The Vikings didn't let the Pioneers make any more runs in the contest. Lehi Coach Pat Gleave said, "We couldn't make big hits against Pleasant Grove. We left too many guys on base."

The Vikings took a 2-1 lead in the third inning, and they never looked back.

For the April 9 rematch, Lehi threw Luke Miller. He had a rough beginning during the top of the first as he walked the Vikings' first three batters. After Miller had struck out Sean Stevenson, a Nate Hardman sacrifice groundout scored Keaton Secretan. Jordan Edwards singled in Aaron "Newy" Newsander right afterwards. Left fielder Bronson Anderson snatched a Calder Bonnett fly ball to shut Pleasant Grove down briefly.

On one out in the bottom of the first, Jordy Hart hit a one-run double off pitcher Newsander. Lehi then hopped ahead 3-2 through Day homering Hart in with a shot launched over the left-field fence.

Despite Miller giving up a two-out single to Secretan in the second, Lehi maintained its' 3-2 lead throughout that entire inning.

In the third, Hardman singled Stevenson in to tie the game at three. Miller didn't let the Vikings row ahead that inning.

Hitting a left-field single at the start of the of third's bottom half, T.J. Russon tried stealing second, but a throw from catcher Stevenson put him out at third. Hart retaliated by hitting a double into left. Singling right afterwards, Day soon stole second, distracting the Vikings long enough for Hart to steal home for a tie-breaking run.

The next inning, Secretan doubled in C.J. Cardon, then scored a tie-breaking run.

Neither team could score during the next 2 1/2 innings. Finally in the top of the seventh, the Vikings picked up three insurance runs. Lehi staged a three-run rally of its own in the bottom of the seventh. The rally opened with Tanner Martin coming home on a passed ball. Russon singled in Bronson Anderson, then came home on passed ball. Newswander shut down Lehi after that.

The two Pleasant Grove games were links in a chain of three straight losses that Lehi endured last week. The other team to defeat the Pioneers was Copper Hills. In a non-league contest April 8, the Copper Hills Grizzlies defeated Lehi 3-1 at Pioneer Field. Gleave said, "In the seventh Palmer Page hit Bronson Anderson in for our only run of the game. They took a 3-0 lead over us. We played great defense. We just kept hitting the ball to them."

The Pioneers' last win was an 8-7 victory at home against the Mountain View Bruins, also known as the Teddy Bears. Gleave said, "Mountain View rallied back with a four-run to the game at seven in the sixth. Tanner Martin scored the winning run for us in the bottom of the sixth."

During the Mountain View game, Page, Martin, and Dave Morgan each slugged a double for Lehi.

AF Cavekickers Lose to Vikes, but Win 1-0 on Timpanogos T-Pups' Home Field
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Last week proved that the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's soccer team could rebound after losing a heartbreaker at home. In April 8 action, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings rowed into American Fork and defeated the Cavemen 2-0. American Fork bounced back by winning on the home field 1-0 on the Timpanogos Timberwolves, alias T-Pups, April 10.

The first half of the Pleasant Grove game went down as a defensive battle. Quinton Hull, Parker Harrison, and Austin Mansfield led frequent American Fork invasions deep into Viking territory. However, Pleasant Grove goalie Uli Estrada didn't let one Caveman shot slip past him during the game.

Meanwhile, Caveman goalie Chris Pineda had a stellar performance in the first half as he kept frustrating Viking players like Levi Wright and Nate Fonseca through frequently picking off their shots.

Hull gave Pleasant Grove's Winston Sorhaitz quite a battle during the first half as those two players frequently vied for the ball near the sidelines.

American Fork's impressive defense of its home field could not prevent the second half from becoming a heartbreaking moment for the Cavemen. During the game's final period, Wright and Sorhaitz each kicked in a goal for the Vikings. Pleasant Grove's defense kept the Cavemen from catching up with the Vikings.

The Cavemen rebounded from that loss when they went to Timpanogos April 10. Two minutes into the game, Parker Harrison passed to Jordan Jacklin for a goal. Pineda's ability to hold the T-Pups scoreless helped to put American Fork back into the race for Region Four's three state playoff spots. The Cavemen's Region Four record is now 2-2.

Lehi Kickers Lose at Home to T-Pups April 8, but win 5-1 at Lone Peak April 10
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Like the Awesome American Fork Cavemen last week, the Lehi Pioneers proved they, too, could make comebacks after experiencing heartbreaking losses at home during Region Four soccer play. At the Pioneers' football stadium April 8, the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, dried up Lehi 2-1. Lehi rebounded from that defeat by winning 5-1 on the Highland field of the Lone Peak Knights, known to the Cavemen as the Loners.

Right after the April 8 game, Lehi Coach Steve McMurdie said, "I think we made two mistakes that let them score their two goals. Every time they would score a goal, our heads would be down. We can't let ourselves get down whenever the other team scores. When we get down, we lose our consistency."

The T-Pups took a 2-0 lead in the first half. Stevie Chatman scored the first Timpanogos goal. Josh Jenson made the next one. Lehi finally got onto the scoreboard 20 minutes into the second half when Austin Tuckett scored a goal in a breakaway play.

At Lone Peak April 10, the Pioneers and the Knights battled to a scoreless deadlock in the first half. The next period turned out to be a different story. During it, Ian Ramos scored two goals for the Pioneers. Ramos' teammates Dillon Straw, Zach Morgan, and Weston Jensen each kicked in a goal for the Pioneers. Brody Berry scored the only Lone Peak goal.

Lehi Softball Team Floods Away Knights, Ferocious Vikes in Region Four Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

By flooding away two softball teams in a row during last week's Region Four action, the Lehi Pioneers managed to stay in a tight race with Spanish Fork Dons for their league's pennant.

On April 7, Lehi came from behind to win 4-3 on the diamond of the Lone Peak Knights, nicknamed the Loners by the Awesome American Fork Cavemen. The Pioneers followed up that win with a 3-0 win on the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' field April 10.

Lehi Coach Leslie Warr said, "We were behind until the sixth inning when Aly White hit a two-run double to tie the game at two. The game went into an eighth inning. In the top of it, Ariel Zimmerman knocked Whitney Cook in with a triple, and K.J. Secrest bunted Ariel in. Lone Peak scored a run in the bottom of the inning, but we shut them down right afterwards."

During the course of the heart-stopping game, pitcher Zimmerman posted 14 strikeouts.

In the game on the Vikings' diamond April 10, Pleasant Grove used sisters Kayloni and Angie Mikalauski as pitchers against Lehi. During the first three innings, in which she threw, Kayloni let the Pioneers score three runs. Throwing the rest of the game, Angie didn't let a single Pioneer reach home plate.

Ariel Zimmerman's pitching limited Pleasant Grove to three hits and caused seven Viking runners to become stranded on base.

AF Cavebatters Experience Bad Week
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Last week went down as a bad time for the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's baseball team. In a Region Four opener at Spanish Fork April 7, the Dons had a merry old time in trouncing the Cavemen 10-0, ending the game in five innings. April 10 saw the Fremont Silverwolves, alias Silverpups, win 4-1 on the Cavemen's diamond.

Spanish Fork pitcher Adam Duke gave up two hits and fanned seven batters as he wiped out the Cavemen in 4 1/2 innings. Two Greg Money triples powered the Dons to get the game over early. American Fork committed four errors in the game. Both hitting a single during it, Stu Duersch and Josh Mooney were the only Cavemen to make hits off Duke during the game.

American Fork had Jim Davis threw against the Silverpups in the non-league game April 10. Davis' pitching couldn't stop Fremont from pulling ahead 4-1 on three Caveman errors. American Fork scored its only run in the bottom of the first. Fremont pitcher Austin Storey gave up only one hit during the game. In the bottom of the first, Duersch scored the Cavemen's only run of the game.



Saturday, April 4, 2009

Region Four Action

Timp Sports Weekly
April 7, 2009

Publisher's Message

The opening of this April brought with it a commencement of Region Four games in softball and boys' soccer. Lehi and American Fork baseball teams tried finishing up their non-league schedules before getting into league play, but foul weather prevented the Pioneers and Awesome Cavemen from doing that. This issue will deal mainly with softball and soccer action. We will also look at how two northern Utah County high schools did at a March 31 track meets. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com


AF Lady Cavebatters Get Off to Bad Start in Region Four Softball; Lehi Hops Back From Heartbreaking Loss at Spanish Fork

By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The first week of Region Four softball play went down as a story of great contrasts for the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen and the Lehi Pioneers. While American Fork finished last week with a 0-3 record in league play, Lehi hopped back from a heartbreaking loss at Spanish Fork to post a 2-1 league record, keeping the Pioneers in strong position a conference softball pennant in May.

American Fork and Lehi were supposed to play each other in a league opener on the Pioneers' diamond March 27, but foul weather postponed the their game until April 1.

The Cavewomen opened their season at home March 31 with the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings scuttling them 8-3 at home. Lehi didn't have a gay old time in Spanish Fork when a tie-breaking run in the bottom of the seventh permitted the Dons to dry up the Pioneers 9-8.

In the Pleasant Grove game, a Lisa Castleberry single permitted the Vikings to load the bases on no outs in top of the first. Left fielder Kayla Sorensen caught a fly ball hit by Cassi Warden, allowing Cassie Allen to race home.

Fierce pitching from Viking Kayloni Mikalauski kept the Cavewomen scoreless during the first four innings. Pleasant Grove, meanwhile, didn't sit on its 1-0 lead. In the top of the third, an Allen single, hit into left field, set the stage for a Viking rally. After pitcher Annie Christensen had grounded out Castleberry, Warden hit a two-run single, then came home on a Kyra Silva double.

In the top of the fourth, Allen doubled in two runs, and she came home on an error. After it, Christensen held the Vikings scoreless until the top of the seventh.

For the bottom of the fourth, Alexis Morris hit a two-out double into center, only to become stranded on base.

Cavewoman Jaela Mooney delivered big cuts to the Viking lead in the fifth and sixth innings. In the bottom of the fifth, she got on base through a walk, and she came home on a passed. The next inning, Mooney doubled in Abby Pace, then came home on a Johna Wright single.

The Vikings picked up an insurance run in the top of the seventh, then held American Fork at bay in the bottom of the inning.

After having suffered a heartbreaking loss at Spanish Fork on March 31, the Pioneers found April 1 a splendid day for them to croak about. In a five-inning home game that day, Lehi's Ariel Zimmerman posted eight strikeouts as she guided her team to a 10-0 win over the Cavewomen.

The first two innings of contest went down as a pitching duel between Zimmerman and Kayla Sorensen. While Zimmerman's pitching kept American Fork from putting any runners on base during the first four innings, Christensen kept Lehi from making any hits in first and second innings, even though she did walk Aly White in the top of the first.

In the bottom of the third, a Lindsey Bolter single and two walks resulted in Lehi loading the bases on no outs. Shelby Lund hit a one-run single off Sorensen to send the Pioneers to hopping on their way to making short work of the Cavewomen. As Sorensen grounded out Bree McBride, Bolter scored the second run. American Fork soon retired Lehi to the field.

After Sorensen had caught a Whitney Cook pop fly in the bottom of the fourth, Lehi quickly loaded the bases. White cleared them with a grand slam launched over the left-field fence. Soon, Annie Nelson hit a two-run single, and Ashley Zimmerman homered her in to improve the score at 10-0. American Fork got the next two batters out, but the Cavewomen still found themselves having to fight a stiff, uphill battle to prolong the game until the seventh.

The battle became more stiff through Ashley Zimmerman's sister, Ariel, striking out Sorensen and Hayley Holmstead. Ariel's hopes for winning a non-hitter suddenly got knocked away by Megan Hansen's singling into left. Ariel didn't let the single faze her any. She went ahead with striking out Katelyn Romboy to end the game.

Lehi Coach Leslie Warr said, "I thought we came back really good after what had happened to us at Spanish yesterday. American Fork has been struggling this season. Today, they kept the ball in front of us, so we were able to keep completing our throw to prevent them from putting many runners on base.

"Aly White has been hitting really good for us. She's been our leadoff hitter this year, and it's rare for a leadoff hitter to hit a grand slam. Yet that was what she was able to do today. Ashley Zimmerman was a great solider hitter today, and Annie Christensen came up with a single that helped to make it possible for us to get today's game over early."

At American Fork April 2, the manly Spanish Fork girls clobbered the Cavewomen 16-4 in a five-inning contest. At the same time in Lehi, the Pioneers posted a 9-0 win over the Timpanogos Timberwolves, alias the T-Pups.

Warr said, "Our girls kept our bats going in the game. We kept our defense going real good. We worked real well on our relays, so we were able to keep Timpanogos from getting anywhere with the doubles that they hit off Ariel today."

During the course of the game, five of the T-Pups' six hits in the game were doubles. Lehi's quickness in relays kept T-Pups from getting anywhere with their extra-base hits.

The Timpanogos game opened with Ariel Zimmerman striking out Britney Nuttle. No. 2 hitter Kayla Atkin responded by singling off the Lehi pitcher. The Pioneers pinched Atkin in a fielder's choice play at second, and first baseman Cook grounded out Alisa Richins to retire Timpanogos to the field.

Despite a single from White at the bottom of the first, Timpanogos kept Lehi from scoring any runs that inning.

After the T-Pups had failed to put any runners on base in the top of the second, its lower half opened with Cook hitting a solo homer over the left-field fence. A five-run rally ensued. Nelson and Ashley Zimmerman each contributed a one-run single to the rally.

In the fourth's top half, Atkin hit a double into center, then tried turning her hit into a triple. However, as the Timpanogos runner reached third base, a throw from center fielder Ashley Zimmerman reached third baseman Shelby Lund, forcing Atkin out and drawing protests from T-Pup fans. That play helped to make the fourth a short inning, in spite of a two-out single from Cook in the bottom of the round.

Hitting a double in the fifth, White soon scored on an error at third. Soon afterwards, Nelson hit a three-run homer off pitcher Nuttle, Kirsten Brammel took over as Timpanogos' thrower. The pitching change prolonged the game till the seventh.

After Ariel Zimmerman had posted two straight strikeouts in the sixth, Nuttle and Atkin each hit a double that inning. Those two Timpanogos players got stuck on base, though, as Cook caught a Britney Peterson pop fly.

On two outs in the seventh, Jody Gonzalez hit a double that moved Kristen Cooker to third. Ariel Zimmerman struck out Ali Butler to end the game.

Warr said, "Spanish Fork taught us to get our bats going early. That was what we did today. We're going to be spending this coming week playing games at PG and Lone Peak."


Pioneer Kickers Win at Home Against PG, but Drop Road Game to Awesome Cavekickers
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Lehi Pioneers and the Awesome American Fork Cavemen opened their first week of Region Four soccer play with splits in their games. On April 1, the visiting Spanish Fork Dons went home in a gay mood after winning 1-0 on the Cavemen's home field. A few hours later in Lehi, the Pioneers won 2-1 over the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings. April 3 saw American Fork win 1-0 over Lehi.

The Dons scored their only shot of the March 31 game while they and a few Cavemen battled for the battle inside American Fork's penalty box. A player's foot sent the ball rolling across the goal line, dealing American Fork its first loss of the season.

Over in Lehi, Viking Darren Walker scored the game's first goal during the opening half. Played under the lights on the Pioneers' football field, the contest went down as a tight battle between the two longtime rival teams. Viking goalie Uly Estrada held Lehi scoreless during the entire first half.

Lehi Coach Steve McMurdie said, "During halftime, we told our guys, 'Be patient. We'll get the ball in.' In the second half, we kept playing hard, but we also played smart."

Ian Ramos scored the first goal. He then assisted Spencer Gray in making the second goal.

With goalie Chris Pineda holding Lehi scoreless in the game, Caveman Jordan scored the game's only goal 30 minutes into the action. The Cavemen kept Lehi in check during the next half.

AF Tracksters Sweep PG in Dual Track Meet
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavewomen and Cavemen both came out winners in a dual track meet that they hosted on March 31. American Fork defeated the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings 87-44 in the girls' division and 76-51 in the boys'.

American Fork won 19 of the day's 26 events.

On the girls' side, Cavewoman Hannah Dehmel had a great day in field events. She won the girls' javelin, shot put, and discus.

Taylir Garrison flung herself to a first-place finish in the girls' high jump. Teammate Autumn Robertson won the girls' long jump.

Kristi Warren won the girls' 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles. Abby Morrison took the girls' 100-meter and 200-meter dash titles while Dani West finished first in the girls' 400-meter race. Alexis Laws won the girls' 800-meter run.

For the boys' side, Austen Van Alfan proved to be a double winner for the Awesome Cavemen. He took first in the boys' javelin and shot put. Ryan Bradshaw won the boys' 3,200-meter run Teammates Cam West and Austen West took first in the the boys' 800- and 1,600-meter races respectively. In the boys' high jump, brothers Josh and Adam Nay took first and second respectively. American Fork won the girls and boys' 1,600-meter relays.

The Ferocious Vikings proved on March 31 that they could produce double-winners in dual track meets. Levi Williams, for one, won the boys' 110- and 300-meter hurdles. Fellow Viking Tony Guerrro won the boys' 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Pleasant Grove's Jessica Baird won the girls' 3,200-meter race. Pleasant Grove won the girls' 400-meter relay.