Wasatch-Lehi Baseball Doubleheaders

Timp Sports Weekly
July 28, 2010

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Lehi Pioneers splitting a Varsity League doubleheader with the Wasatch Wasps and the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's trip to the 16-under and 17-under divisions of the Utah Baseball Academy League's post-season tournament. As they say in Lehi, let's hop right to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Lehi Splits Varsity League Doubleheader With Wasatch Bugs
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Varsity League doubleheader at Lehi July 20, the Lehi Pioneers won 13-3 and 11-5 over the Wasatch Wasps, AKA the Bugs.

The doubleheader was a showdown between two coaches who used to be Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings: Wasatch's Mike Shoell and Lehi's Matt Bezzant. Shoell had worked as an assistant coach at Pleasant Grove before going to be head coach for the Awesome American Fork Cavemen and the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners. Bezzant played baseball for the Ferocious Vikings and eventually worked his way into an assistant coach for the Pioneers' spring season varsity team.

In the top of the first in the opening game, Austin "The Gallows" Hallows smacked a two-out single that drove in fellow Bugs Kade Richins and Quade Larson to create a 2-0 lead. Before the Bugs could stretch further in the first, Trey Ogilvie struck out.

Singles from Tyson Webster and Palmer Page paved the way for the Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, to stage of scoring rally of their own in the bottom of the first. Cody Hickman singled in two runs, and McKay Briggs singled in Bronson Anderson to send Lehi stroking ahead 3-2.

During the next three innings, former Alta Tweetie basketball star Ali Bills' nephew Taylor Bills and Richins each hit a double for the Bugs. Wasatch also go singles from Nate Vought and Bryce Bonner. However, the Pioneers held the Wasps scoreless until the top of the fifth.

Each hitting a single in the bottom of the second, Kaden Longman and Andy Paul both raced home while Wasatch was busy pinching Trevor Jeppson in fielder's choice at second.

Hitting a one-out single in the top of the fifth, Vought stole home. Lehi didn't let the Bugs profit from that steal, though. In the bottom of the fifth, Hunter Houghton hit a two-run double which launched a seven-run rally for the Pioneers. With Lehi keeping the Bugs from capitalizing on sixth-inning singles hit by Parker Baumgartner and Richins, the Pioneers finished Wasatch off with a Tanner Beeson single that reeled Briggs in for the winning run.

Neither team could score during the first three innings of the second game, even thought Lehi did get singles from Taylor Webster, Briggs, and Beeson during those rounds. Bills slugged a third-inning single for the first Wasatch of the game.

In the top of the fourth, Richins singled in Spencer Moulton and Baumgartner to put the Bugs on the board first. Hit by a pitch in the bottom of fourth, Anderson came home on a Beeson single.

In the sixth, Quade Larson singled in Baumgartner, and Ogilvie's two-run triple sent the Bugs buzzing ahead 5-1. Tripling in the bottom of the sixth, Palmer Page got reeled in by Anderson's two-run homer that sparked an eight-run rally for the Froggies. Longman hit a three-run double to clutch the game, and Page doubled him in to end the game's scoring. Lehi didn't let any Bugs get on base in the top of the seventh.

Pioneer Coach Matt Bezzant said, "We weren't scared of Wasatch. We hit their strikes, and we didn't let Tyson Kohler's fastballs intimidate us any in the first game. Quade Larson was able to do good against us in the second game until the sixth when we started hitting balls into a lot of holes."

The sweep of the doubleheader avenged the Pioneers' losing to Wasatch in last year's Varsity League championship game.

Awesome AF Cavemen Squeeze Past Jordan Plowboys 9-7 in First Round of UBAL 16-Under Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In the state Utah Baseball Academy League tournament for the 16-under division, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen squeezed out a 9-7 win over the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, in a first-round game at Alta High July 20.

The game was supposed to have been played at Jordan, but the presence of unattended, construction vehicles in center field made playing there a legal liability. Kent Norton, the UBAL boss, had the first-round showdown switched to Alta, where the Plowboys and Awesome  Cavemen watched the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, defeat the Hawks, AKA the Tweeties, 3-2 for the 15-under state pennant.

When the Jordan-American Fork game got underway, Awesome Caveman Jeremy Reynolds got hit by a hitch during two outs. Before the Cavemen could get anywhere with that break, Zach Reynolds flew out to center fielder Al Fife, a distant "cousin" of  TV's Deputy Barney Fife.

On two outs in the bottom of the first, Tweetie Tyler Swan got on base through an error, and he stole his way around to third. Though pitcher Ben Beddes walked Tanner "Iron" Barr, the pitcher picked off the Hawk at first base to end the inning in a scoreless deadlock.

On one out in the top of the second, American Fork's Kai Clayton singled in Tyson Heaps to open the afternoon's scoring. Clayton got stranded on second, though, as he watched B.J. Eldridge and Kyle Rusik ground out to shortstop Mark James and third base Tommy "Gun" Vitti respectively.

In the bottom of the second, Tanner McCarthy hit a one-out single off Beddes, only to become ensnared in a double play that helped to keep the Plowboys scoreless during the first three innings.

During the top of the third, Vitti tagged Austin Tidwell in hopes of keeping the Awesome Caveman lead stuck at 1-0. However, Zach Haws singled off pitcher Swan and went on to score on a Reynolds single. After Willis flew out to first baseman Marques Guiterrez, catcher Barr connected a throw to Vitti to put Reynolds out out.

Hitting a fourth-inning, right-field double on one out, Heaps  soon scored on Eldridge's two-out single. Even though the Awesome Cavemen pinched Swan in a fielder's choice play in the bottom of the fourth, they still could not keep Jordan from chipping away at their lead. Stealing second, Barr distracted Cavemen infielders long enough for Fife to score a run. Beddes answered it by striking out Vinnie Mallard and Tanner McCarthy, an extremely distant "cousin" of actress Jenny McCarthy.

American Fork loaded the  bases on no outs in the fifth's top half. Willis hit three-run double, then came home on a Heaps sacrifice fly in right field. The Awesome Cavemen held the Pl0wboys scoreless in the bottom of the fifth. American Fork then sought to finish Jordan off in the sixth. Even though Swan gave up a single to Rusik that inning, the pitcher still held the Cavemen scoreless that inning through striking out Blake Brailsford and Sean Hardman and causing Tidwell to fly out to left fielder James.

In the bottom of the sixth, a Jake Raddon single and a Fife double resulted in the Plowboys loading the bases on one out. Mallard hit a three-run double that sparked a rally for Jordan. McCarthy doubled in Mallard on two outs, but Chandler Smith flew out to left, shutting down the rally.

For the seventh, Morgan "Mo" Flinders hit a right-field single, and he raced home on a Reynolds sacrifice fly. Having gotten on base through a walk, Haws came home on a Beddes single that ended American Fork scoring for the night. In the bottom of the seventh, a James single and a Guiterrez double led to the Plowboys loading the bases on two outs. Vitti hit a two-run double, and Jordan soon loaded the bases again on a Fife walk. However, Swan struck out, ending the game.

American Fork Coach Jarod "The Prankster" Ingersoll said, "Beddes kept his pitches passing through the strike zone, forcing Jordan to keep hitting the ball to us. We were lucky to get the hits that we did at the end of the game, because of how quickly Jordan was coming back."

Awesome AF Cavebatters Survive 8-Inning Playoff Game at Alta July 20

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Utah Baseball Academy League action at Alta July 21, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under team won 5-4 in an eight-inning, second-round state playoff game over the Alta Hawks, AKA the Tweeties.

The game opened with American Fork's Morgan "Mo" Flinders singling into left. He soon got put out by a throw from catcher Mason "Hey Z" Winter to second baseman Kale Tilly. Neither team could score during the first three innings as the game turned into a pitching duel between American Fork's Blake Brailsford and Alta's Briton "The Pen" Wren, despite a two-out single that Marty Cavenass hit in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, though, Flinders hit a two-out, one-run single, and he then  came home on a Dan Beddes double.

American's 2-0 couldn't survive the bottom of the fourth. A Brayden Goddard single spurred the Tweeties into loading the bases on one out. A Mark Kunz walk brought Wren home, starting a three-run rally for the Tweeties.

The Cavemen couldn't regain the lead until the top of the sixth. That inning, Jake Miles singled in a run, and he came home on a Beddes sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the seventh, Cavenass singled in a run to force the game into an eighth inning.

When an error had let Willis get on base during one out, Tyson Heaps hit a two-out, one-run to put the Cavemen ahead 5-4. Taking over the mound in the bottom of the eight, reliever Jeremy Reynolds struck out three straight Tweeties to end the game.

American Fork Coach Jarod "The Prankster" Ingersoll said, "Tonight showed what our guys are capable of doing at state during the regular season. They held up well under the pressure of the eighth-inning."

Awesome AF Cavemen Take Down Salt Lake County Marshalls in UBAL Quarterfinals

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

When the Salt Lake County Marshalls last came to American Fork to play the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under team in a Utah Baseball Academy League game, they had one great inning that allowed them to trample the home team. However, in July 22 quarterfinal action at American Fork, the Awesome Cavemen obliterated the Marshalls 12-2 in a six-inning contest.

American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "Tonight showed our guys that they can learn from their mistakes and beat an all-star team like the Marshalls. Our guys did exactly what we told them to do against the Marshalls. They made a play and studied the field for where they could it into holes. For anyone to be successful the Marshalls, they have to play really smart. The Marshalls are a hand-selected team of really good players from this area. Our guys didn't let the memory of the last game faze them any. They learned from their mistakes in it and performed very well.

American Fork pitcher St. Alex Shultz held the Marshalls scoreless during the first four innings. However, Shultz's pitching didn't stop the Marshalls from scaring American Fork with big hits. For instance, Mark "Mr. Christmas" Kruger, the brother of Mason "Don't Call Me Freddie" Kruger hit a second-inning double and a fourth-inning single off Shultz. Fellow Marshall Quin "Beetle" Bailey doubled off Shultz in the third. However, the American Fork pitcher didn't let the Marshalls go anywhere with those hits as he posted three strikeouts during his time on the mound.

Hitting a one-out single into left field during the bottom of the first, Zach Haws got singled in by Danny Beddes during two outs. The next inning, Shultz doubled in Tyson Heaps to spark a three-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen. During the rally, Morgan "Mo" Flinders doubled in Shultz and came home on a Zach Haws single.

The Marshalls held the Cavemen scoreless during the third and fourth innings. In top of the fifth, Bailey singled in Brook "Rockwell" Porter, and Colt ".44" Shauver singled a shot that drove in a run. American Fork shut down the Marshalls' comeback try.

During one out in the bottom of the fifth, Haws came home on a wild pitch to start a seven-run rally. During it, Shultz pumped the Cavemen up with a two-run single. During the next inning's lower half, the Awesome Cavemen loaded the bass on no outs. Walks by Tyson Heap and Sean Hardman reeled in two runs, ending the game. American Fork went on to win 6-4 in a semifinal game at Bingham July 23.

Awesome Cavemen 17-Under Team Win 21-8 Over Layton Lancers in First-Round UBAL Action

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a first-round state tournament game of the Utah Baseball Academy's 17-under division, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen won 21-8 at home against the Layton Lancers, AKA the Stickers, July 23.

During the first inning's top half, pitcher Danny Beddes walked leadoff hitter Swift Paiz. However, the Cavemen pinched in a fielder's choice play in between third and home. Great defensive plays like that one made it impossible for either team to score during the first two innings.

Finally, in the top of the third, Paiz stole home, and teammate Garrett "Boss" Moss hit a one-run single to improve the Lancer lead at 2-0. The Stickers fell to pieces, though, when Nick Searle scored on an error that started a 12-run rally. During it, Searle whacked a two-run single while Zach Haws, Morgan "Mo" Flinders, Ty Flinders, and Cousin Ryan Draper each singled in a run.

In the top of the fourth, Quinn Robison doubled into left, and Paiz tripled him in, only to become stuck on base. During the bottom of the fourth, American Fork's Zach "Robbie" Robison singled into center, and Danny Beddes doubled him in to start a nine-run rally. It climaxed with Robison doubling in two runs and coming home on a Beddes single.

Through singles from Woofie Cunningham and Val Valerio, the Lancers loaded the bases on no outs. A Ham "Some" Flores walks scored Cunningham, setting off a five-run rally that caused Draper to be replaced by Sean Hardman on the mound. During the rally, Jack "Bull" Trujillo singled two runs and Quinn Robison hit a one-run single.  Hardman shut the rally down, earning the Cavemen a third shot at Spanish Fork this summer.

On two previous this summer season, the Awesome Cavemen defeated the Dons. However, during second-round action at Spanish Fork on Pioneer Day morning, Spanish Fork defeated the Cavemen 5-3. The Dons took a 3-0 lead during the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, though, American Fork tied the score at three on runs by Ty Flinders, Jake Miles, and Zach Robinson. However, the Dons ended up feeling gay as they scored a run in the fifth and another one in the sixth to win the game.

Besides hitting two singles for American Fork in the Spanish Fork game, Jeremy Reynolds pitched for three innings. St. Alex Shultz and Jake Miles each pitched an inning for American Fork, and Nate Andrus, a distant "cousin" of Hollywood actress Ursula Andrus, pitched two innings for the Cavemen.

AF Cavebatters Lose 16-Under Division State Title Game to Spanish Fork July 26

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Played at Spanish Fork July 26, the Utah Baseball Academy League's 16-under division title game turned out to be a shocking ending for the Awesome American Fork Cavemen. The Spanish Fork Dons needed only one inning to defeat them 4-3 for the state title.

The game opened on a promising note for the Cavemen. On one out in the top of the first, Jeremy Reynolds doubled in Zach Haws and Jake Miles, who had both singled off pitcher Tyler Allred. Reynolds then came home on a wild pitch.

During the game's first three innings, pitcher Danny Beddes kept the Dons in check, even though Don Casey Reynolds singled off him in the bottom of the inning.

After having a great first inning, the Cavemen ran into huge trouble. For example, in the second, as soon as a Haws single had moved Morgan "Mo" Flinders into scoring position, Miles struck out. In the third inning, third baseman Rusty Gordon turned up a double play that retired the Cavemen to the field.

After Spanish Fork had prevented American Fork from capitalizing on a Kyle Rusik single in the top of the fourth, the Dons delivered the Awesome Cavemen a vicious blow in the inning's lower half. It opened with Tyler Allred doubling off Beddes. Colt Olsen singled in Allred to spark a four-run rally, fueled by two walks and a sacrifice fly. 

When an American Fork double play shut down the rally, the Cavemen tried overcoming the one-run deficit. Spanish Fork reliever Zach Thurston made it too wide for them to overcome. Through his pitching, he didn't give up any hits during the game's final three innings. To their credit, the Cavemen didn't let the Dons go on any more scoring rallies, in spite of a Collin Argyle single in the sixth. Nevertheless, the fourth inning's outcome still allowed the Dons to win the state pennant.

AF Cardinals

Timp Sports Weekly

July 20, 2010

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we have as our cover story the American Fork Cardinals' winning the Timp Colt League playoffs. We also look at the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' rebound win at Jordan. We look at the the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 17-under baseball team's wins over the Ben Lomond Scots, AKA the North Britons, and Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers. Finally, we examine the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's wins over the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers, and Brighton Bengals, AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Awesome AF Cavebatters Post Home Wins Against Ben Lomond North Britons and Bingham Pickers

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

After being in a recent two-game slump, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 17-under division team returned to its winning ways recently by triumphing in two straight home games last week. On July 12, the Awesome Cavemen defeated the Ben Lomond Scots, AKA the North Britons, 10-0, and on July 16, American Fork won 3-1 over the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers.

After the North Britons and Awesome Cavemen battled to a scoreless tie in the first inning, Nick Searle scored a run in the bottom of the second. In the third's lower, Kyle Wright doubled in Morgan "Mo" Flinders to open a five-run rally for American Fork. Cousin Ryan Draper contributed a one-run double to the rally. The fourth saw Tyler Flinders hit a one-run single. It set the stage for the Cavemen to win the game on a four-run rally in the fifth. During that final rally, Searle hit a one-run double, and B.J. Eldridge knocked him in for the winning run.

Wiley Stephans hit a third-inning single for the only Ben Lomond hit of the game.

In the Bingham game, American Fork Coach Jarod "The Pankseter" Ingersoll said, "We threw Kyle Wright for six innings and Jeremy Reynolds for one. Wright located his mark and threw strikes."

Bingham scored a run in the top of the first, but in the bottom of the first, Zach "Robbie" Robinson singled in Draper to tie the game at one. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the sixth when Draper and Robinson  each scored a run, courtesy of singles hit by Zach Willis and Searle.

Ferocious PG Vikings Harvest 12-7 Win on Jordon Plowboys' Sandy Diamond July 13

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In spite of getting pummeled in a doubleheader against the Awesome American Fork Cavemen July 109, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings proved on July 13 that they could come back to win in a game for the Utah Baseball Academy's 16-under division. On the Sandy diamond of the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, Pleasant Grove won 12-7.

Hitting a two-out single in the top of the first, Pleasant Grove's Tyler Harmon stole home to open the night's scoring. Even though pitcher Colton Sheriff gave up a center-field double to Pete Morgan in the bottom of the first, he managed to keep the Vikings' 1-0 lead intact at the end of the inning.

In the bottom of the second, though, the Plowboys pulled ahead 2-1 on a Nick Vitti sacrifice fly and a Marquez Guiterrez single.

Singling at the start of the third, Zach Hicken came home on a Mitch Merrill single to start a three-run rally for Pleasant Grove. An extremely distant "cousin" of TV's Barney Fife, Al Fife singled in a run to put Jordan within 4-3.

Advanced into scoring position by Taylor Stika's fourth-inning, right-field single, McKay Walker scored a run on a Harmon double that started a three-run rally for the Vikings. During the rally, Stika came home on a passed ball, and a Sheriff sacrifice fly scored Merrill.

In the bottom of the fourth, Vitti knocked in a run, and Jordan scored another run during a fielder's choice play  at second, cutting the lead to 7-5.

During that fifth, Harmon hit a grand slam that improved Pleasant Grove's chances of surviving any Plowboy comeback. Even though the Vikings loaded the bases in the sixth, the Plowboys held scoreless. Fife scored the sixth Jordan run on a Viking error in the bottom of the sixth.

Singling on one out in the top of the seventh, Merrill moved to third on a Sheriff double. Merrill then scored on a Parker Bullock sacrifice groundout. In the bottom of the seventh, Guiterrez came home on an Adam Weeks sacrifice groundout. Left fielder Matt Larson picked off a Morgan fly to clutch the game for the Ferocious Vikings. 

AF Cardinals Defeat PG A's For Timp Colt League Championship

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The American Fork Cardinals finished their Timp Colt League season with a 11-5 win over the Pleasant Grove A's in their conference's championship game at American Fork's Rotary Park July 14.

Bearing a striking resemblance to Todd "Off the Record" Glover, an American Fork High quarterback in the 1980's, Cardinal Coach Craig Roberts said, "After we had a couple of heard losses to an American Legion team last weekend, our guys battled fiercely through the Colt League tournament. We made it through unscratched through the championship bracket. 

"They [Pleasant Grove] have a lot of high school baseball players on their team like we do ours. That made the game all the more tough. We hit really good, and helped each other a lot on defense. We're now going to be focusing on doing well in our other league's games, so we can go to the American Legion state tournament at the end of this month."

In the top of the first, Pleasant Grove's McKay Hartle doubled into center, and he went on to steal home. American Fork quickly answered Hartle's run during the bottom of the first. Singles from Jake Blackhurst and Taison Smith caused a five-run rally for the Cardinals.

In the top of the second, Pleasant Grove's Sefa Tonai, a recent addition to the University of Utah's football game, hit a single, but got thrown out while trying to turn his hit into a double. That setback led to the A's getting held scoreless in the second.

On two outs in the bottom of the second, Ryan Larson hit a one-run single to spark a four-run rally for the Cardinal. Matt "Lug Nut" Ludlow hit a two-run homer, and Taison Smith doubled in Blackhust to put the lead at 9-1. It shrank to 9-3 when Austin McDonald reeled Hartle in with a two-run in-the-park homer during the bottom of the fourth.

During the bottom of the fourth, Dylan Taylor got on base through a walk. Ricky Smith, another son of the Beautiful Angie Manning Smith, hit a center-field single that moved Taylor into scoring position. Ludlow singled Smith and Taylor in. Before American Fork could go on a long rally, Blackhurst hit into a double play. Pleasant Grove held American Fork scoreless from thereon out. 

One out in the fifth, Pleasant Grove's Zach Lewis scored on a Cardinal error. The Cardinals belted Pleasant Grove with a double play that kept the A's from picking up a fifth run until the seventh. In the top of if Tonai doubled into left, and Lewis singled him in. That turned out to be the last run that Pleasant Grove made in the game.

Awesome AF Cavemen Win Scout League Game at Orem July 15 

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Scout League action at Orem July 15, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen won 8-6 over the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers.

During the top of the first, the Awesome Cavemen couldn't make any gains over the Tiggers. During the inning's upper half, Skylar Mounteer and Riley Winter both struck out while Koy Dibb grounded out. In the bottom of the inning, Nolan "Razor" Oray doubled in Brent "Bouncer" Tittle, and he then came home on Zach "Shark" Jensen's single.

A distant "cousin" of Hollywood actress Ursula Andrus, Ryan Andrus singled into left, and a Ricky Smith double moved him to third. Chase Durfey singled in Andrus. When a Milo Abbott walk resulted in American Fork loading the bases on two outs, Dan McCombe doubled in three runs. The rally ended with Mounteer striking out.

American Fork held the Tiggers scoreless during the second, third, and fourth innings. In the fourth, Smith singled in Jason Nebeker, then came home on an Andrus sacrifice fly. Hitting a fifth-inning double, Mounteer got doubled in by Dibb to conclude American Fork scoring for the night.

In the bottom of the fifth, Oray tripled in Stinger Urquhardt to open a four-run rally for the Tiggers. Once American Fork shut the rally down, Orem couldn't secure any more chances for bouncing ahead of the Cavemen.

AF 16-Under Team Sweeps July 17 Doubleheader Against Brighton's Bad Old Puddy Tats

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Utah Baseball Academy League doubleheader at American Fork July 17, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under squad won both ends of a doubleheader against the Brighton Bengals, AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats, by scores of 11-1 and 9-4.

American Fork Coach Jarod Ingersoll said, "We pitched really well today. We exposed them with some running plays that distracted them long enough for us to score runs. We're progressing really well. We should expect to do well in the state tournament."

The Bad Old Puddy Tats got their only run of the first game when Joe "The Thriller" Miller doubled in Brad Wallace in the top of the first.

In the bottom of the first, Zach Willis hit a one-out triple to bring home Zach Haws and Danny Beddes. Willis then came home on a Jeremy Reynolds single. After Kai Clayton had gotten base through an error, pitcher Wags Wagner struck out Alex Shultz to end the inning.

In the second, Blake Brailsford tripled in two runs to begin the destruction of Brighton. During the third, Willis doubled in two runs, and in the fifth, Tyson Heap hit an in-the-park homer while Morgan "Mo" Flinders singled in Kyle "Music" Ruzick.  Aided by a Willis double in the sixth, Reynolds hit a two-run single to finish off the Bengals, his father Jason's former high school team.

American Fork held the Bad Old Puddy Tats scoreless during the first three innings of the second game. This allowed the Awesome Cavemen to secure an early lead in the game's first two innings.

Singling into left during the bottom of the first, Morgan "Mo" Flinders came home on a Beddes sacrifice fly, and Clayton hit a one-run single to put the Caveman score at 2-0.

In the second, Tyson Heap stole home to open a three-run for the Cavemen. The Cavemen's 5-0 lead received a big slash in the top of the fourth. Garrett Eickers stole home at the start of the fourth to begin a four-run rally for the Bengals. During the rally, Miller and Wagner each hit a one-run double while D.J. Orchard produced a one-run single.

After the fourth, the Cavemen didn't let the Bad Old Puddy Tats make any more runs for the afternoon. American Fork loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, and Ralphie Holding came home on a passed  ball to spark a three-run rally. Late in it, Heap distracted Bengal infielders in between first and second, so that Alex Shultz could score a run.

Singling in the bottom of the sixth, Beddes scored the final Caveman run on a Reynolds sacrifice fly.

American Fork Pirates

Timp Sports Weekly

July 11, 2010

Publisher's Messsage

For this week's issue, we look at wins posted by two baseball teams both known as the American Fork Pirates. We also look at a string of wins posted by the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 17-under division team. We examine a heartbreaking loss that the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings suffered at the paws of the Riverton Silver Wolves, AKA the Silver Pups. We also look at the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's Scout League team drying up the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies. We also examine the Awesome Cavemen's 16-under team's games against the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, and the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Bingham Miners Pick Awesome AF Cavemen Apart July 7

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 17-under team got picked apart 15-0 by the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, in Utah Baseball Academy League action at American Fork July 7.

During the five-inning contest, not a single Awesome Cavemen could make a hit against Bingham pitcher Mason Marshall, who posted nine strikeouts during the shutout.

With leadoff batter Josh Sandquist doubling into left, the Pickers took firm control of the game while it turned into a cave-in for the Awesome Cavemen. Sanquist stole home, starting a four-run rally for the Miners during the first inning. A Brandon Lund double and singles from Brady Ralph and Billy Kennick produced the other three runs for Bingham in the first inning.

Usually good hitters for American Fork, both Cousin Ryan Draper and Jeremy Reynolds struck out in the top of the first, and Marshall caused Tyler Flinders to ground out to second baseman Brady Ralph. Through the rest of the game, American Fork couldn't send any more than three batters to the plate.,

In the meantime, Bingham picked up two second-inning runs on sacrifice groundouts. The third inning saw the Pickers extend their lead to 10-0. It grew to 15-0 in the fourth inning. The fifth saw Marshall and Chase Tavonatti each single in an insurance run. The game got called after the fifth.

Awesome AF Cavebatters Defeat Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats 5-2 In UBAL Play July 2

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Utah Baseball Academy League action at Brighton July 2, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen won 4-2 over the Brighton Bengals, AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats, in a 17-under division game.

American Fork Coach Mark Will said, "I thought we had some really great defensive plays. Danny Beddes did really well at first base as he would receive throws from Tyler Flinders at second. In the middle of the game, Flinders connected a crucial throw to [catcher] Zach [Willis] at home plate to force a Brighton runner out. Also, Nick Searle tagged another Brighton player, who was trying to elude a squeeze play in between second and third."

The Awesome Cavemen never trailed the Bad Old Puddy Tats. First-inning singles from Zach "Robbie" Robinson and Zach Willis each reeled in a run for American Fork. In the bottom of the first, Bad Old Puddy Tat Bo Butcher singled in Chris Conrad. The Bad Old Puddy Tats would not score again until the bottom of the fourth when Nick Marz singled in Butcher. During the top of the fourth, Robinson hit a triple, and Jeremy Reynold singled him in. Also singling that inning, Willis scored a run on a steal.

In the sixth, Robinson singled into left, only to become ensnared in a double play resulting from a capture of a Searle fly ball. In the bottom of the sixth, the Awesome Cavemen didn't let the Bad Old Puddy Tats go anywhere with an N. Gage Mutzak single.

The seventh opened with Jeremy Reynolds singling into left. On two outs, he scored a on a balk called at the Brighton pitcher. Taking over pitching duties in the bottom of the seventh, Reynolds found himself facing batters from the same school that his father, Jason, had played for back in the late '80's. (Yes, Jason was a Brighton Bad Old Puddy Tat, but now he's an Awesome Caveman fan.) Although Reynolds did give up a two-out double to Spider Whipple and walked Ethan Ehaw, he caused Alex Olsen to ground out, clutching the game for the Awesome Cavemen.

Ferocious PG Vikings Lose 10-0 at Paws of Riverton Silver Pups June 28

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Getting their paws on the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings during a 17-Under division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League June 28, the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA the Silver Pups, posted a 10-0 win on Viking Field.

During the five-inning affair, Pleasant Grove produced only three hits. Court Iorg made two of them, which were singles. A fifth-inning single whacked by Broc Starr was the third Viking hit of the night.

The game opened with Silver Pup Riley "Howlin' Glad" Sandersen singled into left. After shortstop Jesse St. De Jour had snatched a Donnell Scott fly ball, Jeremy "Woof Woof" Cornia singled Sanderson in on two outs. Pitcher Drew Velez soon shut the Silver Pups down at that point.

Pleasant Grove attempted to get momentum started on Starr's two-out single in the bottom of the first. However, Cade Hooley struck out before Ferocious Vikings could get a rally going.

In the top of the second, the Silver Pups loaded the bases on no outs. A Tom Riches walk scored a run that sent Riverton on a four-run rally that caused Velez to be replaced by Gage Peacock at the mound. Peacock held the Silver Pups scoreless in the third inning.

The game took a really "baad" turn in the fifth's top half when Spencer Lamb smacked a one-out single that gave the Silver Pups much momentum. Scott doubled in Lamb to open a five-run. Lamb also slugged a one-run double to get the rally going at a fast pace.

The next inning, De St. Jour turned a double that prevented another long Silver Pup rally from occurring. Slugging a one-out single in the bottom of the fifth, Starr became snagged in a double play that ended the game in Riverton's favor.

AF Pirates Sink PG Yankees in Timp Colt League Playoff Game June 29

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a first-round Timp Colt League playoff game at American Fork's Rotary Park June 29, the American Fork Pirates defeated the Pleasant Grove Yankees 13-12.

In the top of the first, Pirate Carson Buckner singled in Matt Garlick to start a six-run rally. During it, Dalton Savage, Jake Bezzant, and Miles Ferrill each contributed a one-run single to the American Fork effort, which did suffer a blow from a Pleasant Grove double play.

On one out in the bottom of the first, Jason Elder smacked a two-run single that sparked a comeback for the Yankees. Nathan Sperry singled in Matt Bezzant, and Elder stole home to cut the lead to 6-4.

On one out in the top of the second, Savage singled into center, and a Big Zach Devey walk moved him into scoring position. Jake Bezzant singled Savage in for the second inning's onlly run.

The next inning, American Fork improved its lead at 9-4 through Buckner doubling in Cade Gillman and stealing home. Pleasant Grove undid Buckner's handiwork in the bottom of the third. Getting on base through a walk, Elder soon stole home to set off a five-run rally, which saw Zac Williams and Matt Bezzant each doubling in a run while Dagen Ludviksen hit a triple. The rally climaxed with Ashlee Shulz, a kicker for the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' football team, singling in Bezzant to tie the game at nine.

A J.D. Evans double gave American Fork momentum to pull ahead 11-9 on two fourth-inning runs. The Pirates held the Yankees scoreless in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth's top half, Evans hit a second straight double, and Matt Garlick singled him. Buckner's singling in Garlick turned out to be the game's most important moment, for that RBI proved to be the one that save American Fork. One-run singles from Elder and Sperry moved the Yankees within 13-12, but the Pirates didn't let the Yankees catch up with them again.

Awesome American Fork Cavebatters Pluck Out a 12-2 Win Over Alta Tweeties June 30

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a UBAL 17-under division game at American Fork June 30, the Awesome Fork Cavemen plucked out a 12-2 win over the Alta Tweeties.

American Fork Coach Jarod "The Prankster" Ingersoll said, "Our defense gave Kyle Wright, our pitcher, great backup. Kyle changed his manner of pitches, so they wouldn't know when he would throw his fastball at them."

When the two teams last meet on Caveman Field, the Tweeties defeated the Awesome Cavemen in a preseason tournament game. American Fork didn't let the June 30 rematch turn into a repeat of that earlier game.

The June 30 game opened with Tweetie Dakota Walbeck doubling off Wright. After shortstop Ryan "Load the Dishwasher" Pitcher had grounded out Mark Caveness, J.T. "The Thorn" Rose and Ryan "The Elf" Relf each hit a one-run single to give Alta a 2-0 lead.

On one out in the bottom of the first, Tyler Flinder homered in Pitcher to tie game at two. After Zach "Robbie" Robinson had grounded out, Nick Searle singled in Zach Willis, putting the Cavemen ahead 3-2.

Even though Nate Isham hit a two-out single off Wright in the top of the second, American Fork kept that Tweetie stuck on base through Robinson's catch of a Caleb Lawson fly ball.

Holding American Fork scoreless in both the third and fourth, the Hawks attempted to capitalize on singles hit by Rose, Colton Nash, and Isham. However, the Awesome Cavemen kept the Tweeties from flying back into the game.

Singling in the bottom of the fifth, Flinders soon stole home, touching off a rally that sealed Alta's doom. Singles from Willis, Reynolds, and Nick Searle pushed American Fork into position where it could have a fine chance of ending the game early. It ended with Cousin Ryan Draper hitting a one-run single that put the score at 12-2.

Pirates Come From Behind to Defeat White Sox For AF Pony League Pennant

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

At Bus Manning Field July 1, it took 15 innings to produce a winner of the 2010 American Fork Pony League Playoffs. In the two-game championship series, the White Sox socked the Pirates 7-6 in the first game, which lasted eight innings. However, the Pirates came from behind in the second game to produce a 19-16 win that made them the defending league champs for a second year in a row.

In the first game's opening inning, leadoff White Sox hitter Emmett Green singled into right, and teammate Riley"Captain" Morgan soon joined him on base. However, when No. 3 batter Caleb Clark flew out to second, the Pirates tightened up their defense proceeded to hold the White Sox scoreless in both the first and second innings.

In the bottom of the first, Pirate Keaton "Big Foot" Whitten doubled in Kenny "Houdini" Nielson and Andy "007" Bartholomew, son of former state wrestling champ Rick "Dr. Death" Bartholomew. Big Foot soon came home on a Colby "Zohan" Cordova sacrifice fly.

The Pirates' 3-0 lead shrank to 3-2 in the top of the third when Morgan doubled in two runs on out. On two outs in the bottom of the third, Riley "Beatis" Smith stole home. In the fourth, Colby "Foot Long" Walker's sacrifice groundout scored Hunter "Hornet" Hudson. With Nielson singling Bartholomew in the fifth, the Pirates seemed destined to sail away with another AFPL trophy. However, in the seventh, the White Sox's Kline Olpin followed up a left-field single with a steal of home plate, setting off four-run rally that climaxed with Green's two-run, in-the-park homer that fored the game into an eighth inning.

In the top of the extra inning, Clark hit a solo homer that won the game for the White Sox.

With Green stealing home in the top of the second game's first inning, the White Six went on a five-run rally. In the bottom of the first, Whitten singled in Bartholomew to spark a seven-run rally that made the first inning last 30 minutes. Because of that inning, the game didn't get over until 10:45 p.m.

With one-run singles from Kaden Spangnahle and Morgan tying the game at seven in the second, the Pirates found themselves experiencing the most scary evening of their season. Even though Bartholemew's third-steal of home plate put them back out in front, they still couldn't hold the White Sox in check.

When the White Sox's Rocket Larson hit a solo, third-inning homer to tie the game at eight, they acquired a confidence that this time they would sink the Pirates. The White Sox soon pulled ahead 9-8. The Pirates pulled back out in front 10-9 on a Hudson sacrifice groundout and Hunter "Special K" Schmensky's theft of home plate in the bottom of the third.

The Pirates fell into really serious trouble when an error and an Olpin double sparked a five-run rally for the White Sox. They finished the inning with a 14-11 lead.

The Pirates didn't fall apart, though, They kept battling back, and they finally secured a 19-16 lead in the sixth inning. The Pirates then held the White Sox in check during the top of the seventh.

Awesome AF Cavemen Dry Up Lehi Pioneers 7-4 in Scout League Action

By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen dried up the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 7-4 in Scout League action at American Fork July 6.

The Awesome Cavemen and Froggies battled to a scoreless tie in the first inning. In the top of the second, Pioneer Cam Lux singled off pitcher Skyer Mounteer on two outs. Lux became stranded on base, however. In the bottom of the second, a Chase Durfey single moved Ryan Andrus, a distant "cousin" of movie actress Ursula Andrus, into scoring position. Andrus stole home to open the game's scoring.

On one out in the top of third, Lehi's Blake Clevringa singled into right, but Mounteer caused that Pioneer to become stranded on base.

During the bottom of the third, Elijah Aubrey stole home to open a four-rally for the Awesome Cavemen. During the rally, Durfey singled in a run and Milo "I'm Not Bud" Abbot hit a two-run single.

Hitting a one-out triple in the top of the fourth, Kolten Smith scored the Froggies' first run on a Cody Webb sacrifice groundout. American Fork answered that run with two of its own in the bottom of the fourth. The Pioneers kept the Awesome Cavemen from picking up any more runs in the game, even though Caveman Koy Dibb did slug a sixth-inning single. Lehi rowed back within 7-4 during a three-run rally in the seventh, but the Cavemen kept the Pioneers from tying the game.

American Fork Coach Ron Durfey said, "Ryan Andrus had good night at the mound when he threw 40 pitches for us. Mounteer did pretty good at the mound, too. We were able to put guys on base every inning. That enabled us to have that big rally in third."

AF 16-U Squad Tame Cottonwood Ponies 13-9 In UBAL Action July 6

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

At American Fork July 6, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen tamed the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, during a 16-under division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League.

The game opened with Martin Charnovich tripling into center. After pitcher Ben Beddes walked No. 2 batter Eli "Is A-Coming" Hensgen, Mark Sallro singled in Charnovich to spark a six-run stampede for the Ponies.

Singles from Zach Haws and Zach Willis gave the Awesome Cavemen a chance to cut the Ponies' lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the first. American Fork held the Ponies scoreless in the second and third innings, even though Sam Richmond clubbed a second-inning, two-out single for the Ponies.

Singling in the bottom of the second, Caveman Alex "Sergeant" Shulz soon came home on a single hit by Sean Hardman, the younger brother of Cavewoman volleyball player Jen "Munchkin" Hardman.

The Awesome Cavemen's determination finally delivered them a payoff in the bottom of the third. Spurred on by a Mo Flinders single, Danny Beddes slugged a two-run single that ignited a five-run rally. During it, Shulz, Austin "Oh, Yeah Baby!" Tidwell, and Ralphie Holding each singled in a run to give the Cavemen an 8-6 lead.

An American Fork error let the Ponies score two fourth-inning runs that tied the game at 8-8. Hensgen soon stole home to put the Ponies ahead 9-8. Loading the bases on two outs in the bottom of the fourth, American Fork retook the momentum. Beddes singled in a run, and Jeremy Reynolds came home on a passed ball to put American Fork ahead 10-9.

With the Awesome Cavemen holding the Ponies scoreless through the rest of the game, the Cavemen proceeded to pick up insurance runs. In the fifth's lower half, Flinders and Hardman each hit a one-run single, and Ralphie Holding came home on a passed ball.

Lone Peak Loners Defeat Awesome AF Cavebatters 8-7 in 8-Inning Thriller

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a 17-under division game at Lone Peak July 8, the Lone Peak Loners defeated the Awesome American Fork Cavemen in eight-innings.

Despite a single hit by Awesome Caveman Tyler Flinders in the top of the first, neither American Fork nor the Loners could score any runs in the opening inning, because of impressive pitching by Loner Dakota Murdock and AF's Jeremy Reynolds. The Caveman pitcher, for example, didn't let a single Loner get on base in the first's lower half. Also, Loner center fielder Sing Along With Mitch Call picked off two straight fly balls to keep Flinders stuck on base.

On one out in the top of the second, Nick Searle hit a solo homer over the right-field fence, and teammate B.J. Eldredge tripled in Danny Beddes, who had singled. However, in the bottom of the second, Loner Riley Otteson doubled in Call, then scored a tying run on an error at second.

Singling on one out in the top of the third, Reynolds came home on Zach Willis' go-ahead, one-run single. Beddes singled in Willis, and Jake Miles hit a two-run triple to improve the Cavemen's lead at 6-2.

Once again, Otteson undermind  the Awesome Cavemen's efforts during the bottom of the fourth. After Reynolds had grounded out Mikey Draper and struck out Rhett Reiber, Otteson singled in Call, then moved into position on  a Carson Kelshaw single. Neil Burrston singled in Otteson to cut the Awesome Cavemen's lead to 6-4.

The Loners held American Fork scoreless during the next three innings in spite of a Flinders single in the sixth. In the bottom of it, Otteson doubled in Call on no outs. Reliever Flinders' pitching kept Otteson stuck on base. In the bottom of the seventh, Murdock doubled into left, and on he came home on a Draper sacrifice fly to tie the game at six and force an eighth inning.

In the top of that inning, a Beddes sacrifice fly scored Willis for a go-ahead run. However, the Awesome Cavemen's 7-6 lead couldn't survive the bottom of the eighth. Otteson hit a one-run single, then scored the winning run when Cody Harris singled him in.

Awesome AF Cavebatters Sweep Ferocious PG Vikings in 16-Under Doubleheader July 10

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a 16-under division doubleheader for the Utah Baseball Academy League June 10, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings by scores of 14-1 and 11-0. Both games lasted only five innings.

American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "Our pitchers threw very well, and we hit very good today. Our fielders stayed back far enough to pick off fly balls that PG hit deep into the outfield. We had Blake 'Haps' Brailsford  and Kai Clayton throw in the first game. We also had Kai throw for a while in the second game. We then had Nate Andrus and his brother,  Ryan each take a turn at the mound in the second game."

In the first inning of the opening game, the Awesome Cavemen had some trouble with getting the feel of the Ferocious Vikings' first pitcher, Gage "Proud Aza" Peacock. He began the game with walking Morgan "Mo" Flinders. After Flinders got throw out on in a fielder's choice play staged by second baseman McKay Walker, Caveman Jake Miles singled into right, moving Zach Haws into scoring position. Haws soon stole home, and third baseman Rylan "Rhino" Peterson turned up a double play.

Although Zazch Hicken opened the first's bottom half with hitting a right-field single, he got tossed out in a fielder's choice play at third after teammate Taylor Stika had singled into left. Pitcher Brailsford struck out Mitch Merrill to end the inning.

Pleasant Grove did get a single from Matt Larson in the second and a double from Taylor Stika in the third. However, the Ferocious Vikings could score any more than one run in that game.

Pleasant Grove's only run occurred in the bottom of the third. Now on two outs in the top of that inning, Miles doubled in Haws, and then he raced home on a Zach Willis trip. Willis stole to improve the Awesome Cavemen's lead at 4-0. On two outs in the bottom of the third, Stika doubled in Hicken for the only Pleasant Grove run that Saturday morning.

In the top of the fourth, a Viking error let Danny Beddes score a run after he had hit a one-out, right-field single. Beddes' run set off a five-run rally for the Cavemen, highlighted by Haws' two-run single. Flinders and Ralphie Holding also each hit a one-run single in the fourth.

After Clayton hit a one-run single in the fifth, McKay Lewis and Haws each slugged a two-run double to usher in an early end to the game.

In the second game, Hicken, Larson, and  Ty Stevensen each hit a single for the Ferocious Vikings, but Pleasant Grove couldn't get anywhere with those hits, on account of the combined pitching of Clayton and the Andrus brothers. 

American Fork established firm domination eaerly in the second game. Miles singled in Flinders to open a six-run rally in the top of the first. During the rally, Alex "Sergeant" Shultz and B.J. Eldredge each contributed a one-run single to the rally. Flinders smacked a one-run single in the second. On two outs in third, Eldredge singled in two runs, and he came home on a Lewis single. On one out in the fourth, Willis singled in Flinderers, who had hit a right-field single.

Even Pleasant Grove belted American Fork with a fifth-inning double play to keep the Cavemen from scoring any more runs, the Vikings' last comeback attempt collapsed in a hurry. A distant "cousin" of Holllywood star Ursula Andrus, Ryan Andrus grounded out Peacock to cause the inning to be a story of three up and three for the Vikings.

AF Cardinals Post 3-3 Record in Final 3 Doubleheaders at Home in American Legion Ball

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In playing their final three home, American Legion doubleheaders recently, the American Fork Cardinals posted a 3-3 record.

American Fork split a July 1 doubleheader against the Grantsville Cowboys, AKA the Goat Ropers. Grantsville won the first game 9-4, but the Cardinals took the second contest 7-3.

The first game of the twin bill against the Goat Ropers, American Fork took a 2-0 lead on first- inning singles hit by Jake Blackhurst and Matt Oakman. However, the Goat Ropers charged back to win the game. The Cardinals did take consolation in winning the second game.

In a July 8 doubleheader, the Stansbury Mustangs, AKA the Ponies, galloped past American Fork 7-4 and 15-2. Those two losses could have easily killed the Cardinals desire to do well in their July 9 doubleheader against the Logan Grizzlies, AKA the Cubbies, but American Fork performed well in both games against the Cache Valley team.

The Logan team consisted on players, who played on the Logan High School baseball team. American Fork, on the other hand, was a mixture of guys who had never played for the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's baseball team and recent former Caveman varsity players. The presence of former Awesome Cavemen among the Cardinals help the team do well against the Cubbies.

In the top of the first, Tanner Griffiths hit a two-run single to give the Cubbies an early lead. Griffiths' pitching protected Logan's 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, for Jordan "Salty" Saltmarsh became the only Cardinal to single off him that inning.

The Cardinals held the Cubbies scoreless in the second and third innings. In the bottom of the second, Matt "Lug Nut" Ludlow doubled into left, and he soon came home on  a Benji "Shep" Shepherd sacrifice fly in left field to open a four-run rally for the Cardindal. A distant "cousin" of the famous Huck Finn, Matt Finn singled in C.J. Miller. American Fork scored its next two second-inning runs on an error and a passed ball.

In the third's lower half, Taylor Tonks doubled into left, and a Ludlow double brought him home. Tyler "Mr." Roberts singled in Ludlow to improve the Cardinals' lead at 6-2.

In the fourth, Taylor Williams' left-single resulted in the Cubbies loading the bases on two outs. Williams stole home, and Scoop Parkinson hit a one-run single that positioned Logan within 6-4. However, American Fork didn't let the Cubbies pick up any more runs, in spite of seventh-inning singles hit by Griffiths and D.J. Nelson.

Singling at the start of the second game, Greg Vernier stole home, beginning a three-run rally for the Cubbies in the top of the first. The Cardinals battled back in the bottom of the first. A tw0-run double, hit by Colton Dunn, pushed American Fork ahead 5-3. Shepherd singled in Dunn to improve the Cardinals lead at 6-3 at the end of the first inning.

With American Fork holding the Cubbies scoreless in the second, the Cardinals came really close to going on another scoring rally that inning. Singles from Roberts and Ludlow resulted in American Fork loading the bases on two outs. However, Finn struck out before a Cardinal could return to home plate in the second.

Griffiths singled in Nelson in the third to start a three-run rally that moved the Cubbies within 6-5. In the bottom of the third, Shepherd started a thfour-run rally by doubling in Dunn, only to get thrown out at home. The rally ended right after Ludlow had hit a one-run triple.

Logan cut the lead to 10-6 on a fourth-inning run, and the Cubbies held the Cardinals scoreless in the bottom of the fourth.

On one out in the top of the fifth, Cubbie Alex Tyler stole home to start an eight-run rally for Logan. American Fork went through two pitching changes as the Cardinals battled to shut down the rally. By the time it had ended, Logan had accumulated a 14-10 lead.

Spurred on by a Shepherd double in the bottom of the fifth, Taison Smith, the great-nephew of American Fork baseball legend Sherlin Manning, hit a one-run double, then came home on a single hit by Kyle "The Ram" Hall, reducing the lead to 14-12.

Although held scoreless by American Fork in the sixth, Logan still managed to pick two seventh-inning runs on singles from Parkinson and Nelson. In the bottom of the seventh, Ricky Smith, Taison's younger brother, slugged a double to set the stage for an  American Fork comeback. Dylan Taylor and Ludlow each singled in two runs to tie the game at 16. The contest went into an eighth inning.

In the top of it, Williams tripled into center, and Ray Phillips singled him in. The Cardinals kept Phillips stuck on base. On one out in the bottom of the eighth, Dunn hit an infield single that led to American Fork loading the bases. Shepherd singled in Dunn to tie the game at 17.  Taison Smith batted in his younger brother to win the game for the Cardinals.