Timp Sports Weekly
May 3, 2011
Publisher's Message
Sorry about the long delay in presenting new postings of this sports blog. With my work schedule and some other distractions, I have not been able to provide you with some up-to-date accounts from the world of northern Utah County sports. For this issue, I will make it up to you readers with presenting you accounts of recent sporting events I have been able to catch. They included some baseball games, two softball contests, two lacrosse matches, three soccer games, and two track meets. Let's get to those stories.
Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com
Awesome AF Cavemen Drop April 12 Game to Alta Tweeties
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Region Four baseball game at American Fork April 12, the Alta Hawks, AKA the Tweeties, shrieked past the Awesome American Fork Cavemen 9-4.
The Tweeties led the entire game. In the top of its first inning, Tweeties Mark Cavaness came home on a Cole Meyers single. Pitcher Blake Brailsford did not let the Tweeties make any addition runs that inning. Brailsford's work allowed the Awesome Cavemen to tie the game at one in the bottom of the inning. Slugging a double into left, Zac Johnson came home on a right-field single whacked by Nate "The Load the Dishwasher" Pitcher, who soon got ensnared ina double play.
With Brailsford walking Colt "Big Slash" Nash in the top of the second, R.T. "Mr. Thorn" Rose hit a two-run homer. American Fork tried recovering from it, but the Tweeties held them scoreless in the second and third innings, despite Robinson slugging a single in the bottom of the third.
Though Brailsford held the Tweeties scoreless in the third, they picked up two runs in the top of the fourth via one-run singles fired by Cavaness and Myers. Those two RBI's cost Brailsford his job at the mound. Awesome Caveman Coach Jarod "The Prankster" Ingersoll had Jeremy Reynolds take over at the mound. The reliever grounded out Beau Kallas, a "distant cousin" of late film actor Charlie Kallas, to retire the Tweeties to the field.
Through two walks and a Jake Miles single, the Awesome Cavemen loaded the bases on one out in the bottom of the fourth, giving them a chance to turn the game around to their favor. A Danny Beddes sacrifice fly scored Zach Willis, and B.J. Eldredge singled in Miles to cut the Tweetie lead to 5-3. American Fork again loaded the bases when Robinson got beaned by a pitch. Before the Awesome Cavemen could rack up additional fourth-inning runs, Pitcher grounded out.
The fifth opened with Reynolds striking out Tweeties Ryan Relf and Dakota Walbeck. Just as the inning's top half appeared over, Nash singled off the pitcher. The Tweeties quickly came home on an error as Rose got on base. Brinton Wren doubled in Rose, then came home on a Davis Braxton single. After walking Cavaness, Reynolds struck out Meyers. The strikeout coild not undo the damage done by the three fifth-inning runs. The Tweeties intensified the damage by holding the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the bottom of the fifth.
Reynolds opened the sixth by striking Kallas. Relf singled into left, only to get run down in a squeeze play in between first and second. Shortstop Pitcher grounded out Walbeck to hold the Tweeties scoreless in the sixth.
In the bottom of it, Reynolds got on base through an error. Before it could do them serious damage, the Tweeties slugged the Aweesome Cavemen with a double play. Beddes set the stage for a fourth Caveman run through singling into right. With Eldredge getting on base through an error, Robinson singled Beddes in.
The next inning, Nash tripled into left, and Rose singled him in. Replacing Reynolds at that point, Kyle Wright didn't let the Tweeties make any more runs. American Fork attempted to make a strong rally during the bottom of the seventh. Singles from Ty Flinders, Willis, and Reynolds gave Awesome Caveman fans hope that their team could save itself from a heartbreaking home loss. However, the game ended with Cousin Ryan Draper striking out before the Awesome Cavemen could score any seventh-inning runs.
Ferocious PG Vikings Make Short Work of Awesome AF Cavewomen
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings made short work of the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen in an April 11 softball game at Pleasant Grove. The Ferocious Vikings obliterated the Awesome Cavewomen 19-0 in three innings.
Viking pitcher Angie Mikalauski threw a no-hitter in that game. She walked only two Cavewomen: Lexi Morris and Nia Harper. Both of those American Fork players got on base in the top of the first. After that inning, Cavewoman scoring hopes evaporated.
In the bottom of the first, Mikalauski hit a two-run bomer to spark a 10-run rally for the Ferocious Vikings. The next inning, Robyn Jeserick walloped a three-run double during a nine-run rally that doomed American Fork.
In the top of the third, Mikalauski struck out Stephanie Berchick. Morris flew out to right, and Jessica Hamilton grounded out.
Pleasant Grove Coach Jim Clark said, "The girls put in some good swings today. They came up with big hits in the first two innings. Chicks dig long balls.
"Angie struggled a little bit in the first inning, but she found her strike zone, and she didn't give up any hits.
"Today's game was supposed to have been played at AF, but after she had looked at the field this morning, American Fork's coach and I agreed at 10 a.m. to move the game over to here."
Vikings Drop N0n-League Softball Game at West Jordan April 13
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a make-up, non-league softball game at West Jordan April 13, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings received a hard drumming from the West Jordan Jaguars, AKA the Pussy Cats. They shut out the Ferocious Vikings 10-0 in the six-inning game.
It opened with pitcher Brianna Ordinway striking out Ferocious Viking Lexi "Schoony" Schoonver. No. 2 hitter Lisa Castleberry singled into left, then tried stealing second. Sharp-eyed catcher Ashley Schnerzinger connected a throw to second baseman Annie Oliver to put the Ferocious Viking out. Ordinway struck out Jentri White to hold Pleasant Grove scoreless.
In posting a game total of six strikeouts, Ordinway did not let the Ferocious Vikings make any more hits until the top of the fourth. Meanwhile, the Pussy Cats began to turn the game into a shutout. During the bottom of the first, Brea Buckley hit a two-out homer off pitcher Angie Mikalauski. She held the Pussy Cat lead to 1-0 until the bottom of the third.
Aided by a Pleasant Grove error that inning, Markke Ashton doubled in Becky Ballard in on one out. After a Lyndsey Drake single had scored Ashton, the Pussy Cats loaded the bases. A Sherzinger walk scored Olver, and Ordinway singled in two runs, only to get pinched in a fielder's choice play during a third out at second.
Singles from Schoonover and White gave the Ferocious Vikings a chance at picking up runs in the fourth. After the Pussy Cats had pinched Schoonover in a putout at second, Castleberry grounded out to shorttstop Drake, and right fielder Kayla Baird picked off a Regan Weber fly ball.
Hit by Drake and Chelsea "Buffalo" Bills, two fourth-inning, one-run singles positioned the Pussycats in a spot to end the game early. The Ferocious Vikings didn't let the Pussy Cats score any runs in the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, Josie Walker singled into left, but got thrown out in a fielder's choice play at second after left fielder Ashton had snared a Calli Clark fly ball.
Sixth-inning singles from Drake and Ashton gave Viking fans strong reasons to be nervous. After Ashton had scored a run on an error, the Pussy Cats loaded the bases on one out. A Kenzie Culligan walked brought Drake home for the game-ending run.
Jayvee Game at Lehi Opens on Good Note for Highland, but Ends Baadly For Lambs
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a March 14 junior varsity game at Lehi, the Highland Rams, AKA the Lambs, got off to a great start through a seven-run rally in the first inning. However, the game ended on a baad note for the Lambs when the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, hopped back to shear them 14-7.
Walked by pitcher Cole Christofferson in the top of the first, Lamb Jon Olson soon scored the game's first run on an error. Olson later on hit a two-run double for the Lambs during the ensuing seven-run rally. Highland picked up additional runs on singles from Nick "The Sugarhouse Fury" Urie and Joe Algrin.
The Lambs' long rally could have smashed the Froggies' morale, but it did not, even though Highland held Lehi scoreless during the first two innings. In the bottom of the second, McKay Driggs slugged a center-field double for the first Froggie hit of the game, and he moved to third on a balk called against Highland. Even though Driggs became stranded at third, his double gave the Froggies faith that they could make further big hits off members of the Lambs' pitching staff.
In the third, the Lambs looked as though they would definitely butt the Froggies out of the game. Highland loaded the bases through singles from Big John Korhlelicker, Algurin, and Cole Childs. However, the Swampies kept Highland from making any runs that inning. It summed up what the Lambs had to endure through the rest of the game.
On one out in the bottom of the inning, Christofferson singled into left, and Tyson Webster doubled him in. The Lambs didn't let Froggies score again until the bottom of the fourth.
At the top of it, Highland got singles from Matt "Rowdy Roddy" Roddrick and Gregg Hopkins, a "distant cousin" of film star Tony "Silence of the Lambs" Hopkins. Lehi didn't let the Lambs make any runs that inning.
In the bottom of it, Andy Paul singled into left, and a Driggs, left-field double moved him to third. A Cody Webb sacrifice fly scored Paul. Driggs came home on a Highland balk.
Urie hit a one-out single in the top of the fifth, but Lehi kept him stuck on base. On two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Paul slugged a single that loaded the bases. Walks by Driggs and Webb soon produced two runs for Lehi.
Highland once more loaded the bases through sixth-innings slugged by Childs, Olson, and Hopkins. Just the Lambs were about to embark on another long rally. Hopkins got picked off at first, retiring Highland to the field.
In the bottom of the sixth, Kade Evans singled into left, and Christofferson doubled him in to start a nine-run rally. With their lead flooded away in that long rally, the Lambs attempted to come back in the seventh, but in spite of an Ephriam Shulte walk, Lehi held Highland in check.
Lehi Froggie Soccer Team Enjoying Strong Chance at Taking Region 7 Title
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
As they wind their final year of 4-A soccer, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, are currently enjoying a strong chance of winning the Region Seven championship. They began region play with a 3-1 win at home against the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers, on March 17.
In that game, Froggie Bosco Muhnie scored the game's first goal. Tigger Matt Gay evened the game at one, but Lehi's Zach Stanley scored the next two goals to give the Swampies their win.
After the Froggies had won a league game at Provo two days later, they got reminded in a non-league, nighttime game, that they were not invincible. The Copper Hills Grizzlies, AKA the Cubbies, roared into town and dried them up 2-1.
Lehi Coach Jerry Preisendorf admitted, "Copper Hills is a strong team. They reminded us that any team could take us down."
The Cubbies got both of their goals in the first half. Aided by teammates such as Andy Newbold and Omar Delgadillo, Alan "Big Al" Lemasney scored both of the Grizzly goals.
Lehi's defense kept Copper Hills in check throughout the entire second half as Froggies such as Logan Cottle, Derek Holmstead, and Zack Cowan kept stealing the ball. Late in the period, Ty Skousen kicked in a goal for the Froggies. Cubbie goalie Nicolas Keetch held the Froggies scoreless after that.
Even though the Froggies had nothing to croak about in that game, they came back the following Tuesday to take down the Timpview Thunderbirds, AKA the Millionaires, 5-1.
Lehi didn't waste much time in getting onto the scoreboard. Before Timpview, AKA Rich Kid High, could do anything, Skouson bootted in a goal. The Froggie lead stayed at 1-0 until the first half's final seven minutes. Aaron Caprio booted in a shot to improve the Froggie lead at 2-0.
Early in the second half, Millionaire Josh Romo kicked in a goal from the top of the Froggie's penalty box. Before the Millionaires could tie the game at two, Eddie Tilly booted in the third Lehi goal on a cross the game's final 16 minutes. Stanley scored a goal on a breakaway play, and Muhine made the final goal on a rebound.
Lehi played a nighttime game against Mountain View on the Tuesday of the following week. The game was for sole possession of first place in the region. AKA the Teddy Bears, the Bruins gave Lehi a tight game in both halves.
Teddy Bears Juan "Jack" Flores, Vic Diconcio, and Jantsen Adams guided frequent attacks on the Froggie defense. It never broke, though. Froggies Davis Crabb, Ian Ramos, and Wesley Crump kept coming up with steals that gave the Teddy Bears fits to no end.
The first half ended in a scoreless tie. However, 11 minutes in the early second half, Froggie Zach "Captain" Morgan kicked in a goal. It sealed the game's outcome. The win 1-0 lead over the Teddy Bears sent the Froggies hopping on their way to another possible league title.
Priesendorf said, "We have to respect Mountain View's goalie [Keegan "Blackie" Black]. He gave us a great challenge, especially when we had to win this game to stay in first place. Since Mountain 'View is a really tough team, tonight was our best defensive effort ever this year."
Ferocious PG Vikings Tame Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats in Final Game of 3-Game Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
During the first two games of their three-game series against the Brighton Bengals. AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings got smoked. In the first game, the Bad Old Puddy Tats demolished Pleasant Grove 14-4 on Brighton's home fields. Two days later, Brighton came hunting for the Ferocious Vikings in Pleasant Grove and tore them to pieces. However, on April 15, Pleasant Grove finally atoned for those losses by defeating the Bad Old Puddy Tats 10-4 on Brighton's own hunting grounds in Cottonwood Heights.
In the April 15 game, Riley Erickson got things off to a nice start for the Ferocious Vikings when he singled off pitcher Chase Nielsen in the top of the first. Although right fielder Jonnie "The Plumber" Whipple picked off fly balls hit by Cort Iorg and Cade Hooley, Erickson still came home on a bad throw made by catcher Alec Olsen. First baseman Gage Matuszak intercepted a Broc Starr fly ball, retiring the Ferocious Vikings to the field.
The bottom of the first opened with center fielder Erickson catching a Cole Butcher fly ball. That setback didn't stop the Bad Old Puddy Tats from taking control of the game. Pitcher Tyler Harmon walked rock singer Bruno Marz's "distant cousin" Nick Marz and gave up a single to Matuszak. Taking advantage of the walk and the single, designated hitter K.J. Burrola singled Marz in. Third baseman Payton Peters turned up a double play to end the first in a tie.
Nielsen kept the Ferocious Vikings scoreless in the second. This allowed his Bad Old Puddy Tats to pull ahead in the bottom of the inning. On two outs, Logan "Rob Roy" McGregor got on a base through an error. Soon, Butcher singled him in. Before the Bad Old Puddy Tats could increase their lead, second baseman Iorg grounded out Marz.
Harmon held the Bad Old Puddy Tats scoreless in the third, fourth, and fifth. Harmon's performance at the mound helped the Ferocious Vikings turn the game to their favor. In the top of the third, for instance, Shuan Jacobson hit a solo homer over the left-field fence, making the Ferocious Viking fans excited as they were when Starr hit a solo home run in Pleasant Grove's loss at Brighton three days before.
With the Bad Old Puddy Tats unable to break the 2-2 tie, the Ferocious Vikings took control of the game's momentum. In the fourth's top half, singles from Peters, Jacobson, and Ryland Peterson resulted in Pleasant Grove loading the bases on two outs. Erickson hit a two-run double. Hitting a left-field single in the fifth, Hooley got singled in by Starr, who became ensnared in a double play shortly afterwards.
On one out in the sixth, Jacobson singled in Peterson to open a five-run rally, which saw Erickson slug a one-run double and Iorg single in another two runs.
In the bottom of the sixth, singles from Whipple and Chase Howell created an impression that the Bad Old Puddy Tats would roar back into the game. Ian Fehlauer singled in Whipple, and a Zane Smith walk loaded the bases. After Howell stole home, Hooley took over pitching duties. He struck out Hayden Bensen and caused Butcher to fly out to right fielder Petersen.
Even though Matuszak hit a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh, the Ferocious Vikings kept his hit from igniting a Bad Old Puddy Tat comeback.
Viking Coach Darren Henry said, "Harmon made up for the bad game that he had here on Tuesday. He couldn't throw strikes in that game, but he did do that today. When Harmon's pitching arm got tired, we had Cade [Hooley] take over, and he kept them under control. It was great to end this series with a win."
Froggies Win at Home Against Springville Hellions and Maple Mountain Golden Chirps
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Week Publisher
The Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, won two recent preseason games at home. In a preseason opener at home the Froggies exorcised the Springville Red Devils 6-1. A few days later, Lehi swamped Maple Mountain 8-0.
Amid freezing weather at the Springville game, Palmer Page hit a double that set a four-run rally for the Froggies in the third inning, flooding away a 1-0 lead that the Hellions had posted. Lehi picked up a run in the fourth and one in the fifth. Jordan Allen doubled in fellow Froggie Trevor Jeppson in the fifth. Helltown got double from Mark Case and one from Dallin Ollerton.
In the Maple Mountain game, neither the Froggies nor the Golden Chirps could score. In the second inning, Lehi went on a four-run rally. The Froggies scored two runs in the third and another two in the fourth. Page and Jeppson each hit a double for the Froggies in the shutout win. Maple Mountain got singles form Logan Miner, Nick "Mafia" Maffy, and Alex Burroughs.
