Timp Sports Weekly
June 23, 2012
Publisher's Message
For this double issue, we are going to be looking at games of the Utah Baseball Academy's annual summer tournament and the final two rounds of the American Fork Pony League playoffs. We will also look at some of the latest UBAL games and Timp Colt League action. Let's get to those stories.
Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
Pirates Singe Red Sox 20-0 In AFPL Semifinal June 20
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In the final game of the one-loss bracket of the American Fork Pony League playoffs at Bus Manning Field June 20, the Pirates, this year's regular season champs, signed the Red Soxs 20-0.
"That was our first shutout win of the year," said Pirate Coach Brian "Bucket" Parker. "We came off a loss to the Rockies last Monday night. We lost that game on 11 walks that we gave up to them. Like my crew, I couldn't sleep well that night. We always have to watch out for walks. Those are things that can hurt us."
Pirate pitcher Chandler "Woody" Wood gave up two hits and four walks to the Red Sox in the June 20 game. He also posted six strikeouts.
"While that was a great performance for him, he had infielders who played great defense tonight," Parker said.
The game opened with Pirate catcher Spencer "Hot Wheels" Thomas grounding out Kasten Rasmussen. The Red Sox couldn't put any runners on base in the first inning.
In the bottom of it, pitcher Rasmussen struck out Thomas. However, Jason "J-Dawg"Ybarra, a brother of former Awesome Cavewoman basketball player Nikki Ybarra, singled to third, and he soon scored on an error. On two outs, Wood came home on a passed ball. Though Jake "Snake" Smith singled into left, he soon picked off at first by a throw from Rasmussen.
The next inning, Red Sox Chandler Tooley hit what he believed would be a double. However, he got called out, because he did not touch first base while on his way to second. McKay Harley singled off Wood, then got around to third base. However, Kade Whitney, walked by Wood, got pinched in a fielder's choice play at second, and Davis Flood struck out before Harley could come home.
The game, meanwhile, went downhill for them in the second's lower half. Thomas singled in Colt "Buzz" Evants and Taylor "Durf the Smurf" Durfey to open a seven-run stampede. During it, Cody "Oscar" Richans contributed a two-run single and Wood a one-run single.
In the third's top half, Woody struck out Sadie Humphrey and Zac Ritchie. Rasmussen doubled off the pitcher, but that Red Sox player got put out on a throw from catcher Thomas to third base.
A Thomas single led to the Pirates loading the bases on no outs in the bottom of the fourth. They picked up two runs that inning on a Woody single and a Durfey walk.
The Pirates put the game game away in the fourth. Ybarra singled in Thomas to unleash a nine-run rally. During it, Wood singled in two runs and Thomas homered in another two.
In the fifth, Wood walked Whitney and Hunter Ritchie. Those walks didn't do the Red Sox any good, for a Thomas throw to third put out Whitney while Ritchie got stranded on base.
The win set the Pirates up for a rematch against the Rockies in the championship game June 25.
Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Lehi Froggies in 16-Under Division Play in UBAL June 23
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League game at Lehi June 23, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen dried up the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 4-3 in an eight-inning thriller during 16-under division play on the Froggies' home diamond.
The game was a rematch between the two teams, who squared off in pool play portion of the UBAL's recent preseason summer tournament. Played at American Fork, the Froggies hopped past the Awesome Cavemen 5-0.
Determined not to be humiliated again by their web-footed foes, the Awesome Cavemen played much better in the June 23 rematch. Both squads played so well in it that neither of them could score runs in the first three innings.
In going 3-3 at the plate, Hagen Holmstead, a little brother of former Awesome Cavewoman basketball star Hayley Holmstead, registered a one-out single for his first hit during the top of the first. Pitcher Blake Smith soon walked Kody "Coco" Hall on two outs. Third baseman Kolten Smith grounded out Jake "Nortie" Norton, stranding Holmstead and Hall on base.
Although Cam Grace singled off pitcher Norton in the bottom of the first, he got picked off base. Norton struck out Morgan Soper and grounded out Ryan Barnes to keep the game a scoreless deadlock.
Singles from Preston Higgins and Bub Wilde permitted the Froggies to load the bases on one out in the bottom of the second. In having allowed no Awesome Cavemen to get on base in the top of that inning, Lehi anticipated that it would get on the scoreboard first during Inning 2. However, both Smith and Logan "Wazzy" Wasmeyer both grounded before Lehi could score any runs.
With Blake Smith striking out Kolbi Willis and Nick Christensen, center fielder caught a fly ball hit by Hayden Wood, a nephew of former American Fork girls' basketball star Tonya Beck, to hold the Awesome Cavemen scoreless.
In the bottom of the third, Hunter Bolles singled off Norton, he got ensnared by a double play. Norton stuck out Soper to end the third inning in a scoreless deadlock.
The fourth inning opened with Holmstead singling into left, and he advanced to second base on A.J. Jones sacrifice bunt. After Blake Smith had walked Hall, Norton doubled in Holmstead. Hall came ome on a Ty Gardner sacrifice fly in center field, and Seth Taylor doubled in Norton, but he got stranded at second. American Fork protected its 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third by letting no Froggies get on base.
Even though Zaxter Cook got on base through an error in center field in the top of the fifth, he got put by catcher Barnes' throw to second baseman Wilde. The putout made it possible for the Froggies to keep the Awesome Cavemen from picking up a fourth run not only during the fifth, but also during the sixth and seventh innings, even though Holmstead hit his third straight single in the top of the sixth and Cousin Jackson Draper tripled on two outs into center during e top of the seventh.
In the bottom of the fifth, Grant Dixon and Wasmeyer each singled off Norton, giving American Fork big jitters. Those jitters became more intense when Bolles singled Dixon and Wasmeyer in. Grace singled Bolles in on a two-out single. Right afterwards, Sopher hit an infield single, but the Awesome Cavemen tagged Grace in a squeeze play between third and home.
The game stayed deadlocked until the top of the eighth. On one out in the top of the eighth, reliever Barnes walked Nick Christensen. After Holmstead got on base during two outs, Jones singled in Christensen. The Froggies retaliated by pinching Holmstead in a squeeze play between second and third.
On one out in the bottom of the eighth, Soper got beaned by a pitch, and Barnes joined him on base through a walk. Those two Froggies got into scoring position on two outs. Before Soper could score a tying run, Preston Higgins flew out to center field.
American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "You're never out of the woods when you play a good team like Lehi. We learned from our last game with them that we got to get better in order to compete with them. We had a lot of good at-bats today. We held them scoreless for seven of the eight innings that we played them today."
Pirates Take Down Rockies 10-3 in First Game of AFPL Championship Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In the first game of the American Fork Pony League Championship Series at Buss Manning Field June 22, the Pirates pulled down the Rockies 11-3.
In the top of the first, Rocky Kaleb Greening got on base through an error during one out. He stole around to third base, where he got picked off by a throw from pitcher Davis "Big D"Abbott. Even though the pitcher walked McCrae Morgan, he grounded out Jake Fox, holding the Rockies scoreless.
On one out in the bottom of the second, Jason "J-Dawg" Ybarra doubled into left, and Abbott doubled him in. Abbott got picked off at third. Singles from Ryan "Rhinop" Thompson and Chandler "Woody" Wood gave the Pirates a chance for a two-out rally. However, Jake "Snake" Smith struck out.
The Pirates stayed ahead by just 1-0 until the top of the third. On two outs that inning, Rocky Mike Hidgely singled in Greening to tie the game at one. Doubling in the bottom of the third, Ybarra came home on an Abbott single. The Rockies didn't let the Pirates pick up a third run that inning, however.
In the bottom of the fourth, Taylor "Durf" Durfee singled in Smith to unleash a five-run rally that saw Ybarra hit a two-run, in-the-park homer.
The Pirates improved their lead at 9-2 on one-run singles hit by Spencer "Hot Wheels" Thomas and Ybarra.
Singles from Mike Hidgely and Fox permitted the Rockies to load the bases. A Josh Ingersen sacrifice fly scored Morgan, and Hidgely came home on an error at third base. The Rockies couldn't score any more runs after the sixth.
On one out in the bottom of the sixth, Smith singled in a run, and Colt "Buzz" Evans scored another one, putting the game's final score at 11-3.
Pirates Smoke Rockies 12-2 to Win AF Pony League Pennant
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
Played at Buss Manning Field June 25, the second game of the American Fork Pony League championship series saw the Pirates smoke the Rockies 12-2.
Ptiching all of the game's five innings, Jase "J-Dawg" Ybarra posted six strikeouts, and he gave up six hits to the Rockies, but he let them make only two runs during the contest.
During the top of the first, Chris Higdely singled off Ybarra and stole second base. There, the Rocky witness the pitcher strike out Kaleb Greening and McCrae Morgan. Ybarra then grounded out Mikey Hidgely.
The bottom of the first opened with Pirate Spencer "Hot Wheels" Thomas whacking an in-the-park homer. It got answered in the top of the second of the second when Skylar Northcut hit a two-out double that brought home Jadin Fox and Josh Ingerson. With Northcut's double giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead, the contest looked as though it would stay a barnburner.
However, in the bottom of the second, the game went downhill for the Rockies. As soon as the Pirates had loaded the bases on one out the inning, Thomas singled in Colt "Buzz" Evans to set off a five-run rally for the Pirates. During the rally, Ybarra and Davis "Big D" Abbott each doubled in two runs.
In the top of the third, Mikey Hidgely whacked a two-out single off Ybarra, who answered it by grounding out Fox.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Pirates again loaded the bases on one out. Thomas singled in two runs, but the Rockies soon pinched him in a fielder's choice play at second. Soon afterwards, Abbott escaped a squeeze play between third and home, scoring a run. Davey "D-Raw" Rawson doubled in a run, but he got thrown at third.
With Evans striking out to end the fourth, the Rockies counted on a two-out, fifth-inning single, smacked by Greening, a grandson of former Awesome American Fork Caveman football coach Sir Davis Knight, to continue their cause. It collapsed through Morgan striking out.
On one out in the bottom of the fifth, Cody "Oscar" Richans, a son of former Awesome Caveman baseball player Paul "Slim" Richans, got on base through a single. Richans soon got to third on an infield error. Thomas singled him for the game-ending run. Ironicallly, Slim didn't know that his son had made the winning run until I broke the news to him right after the game.
Anyway, Pirate Coach Brian "Bucket" Parker said, "I was thrilled that Oscar made the winning run, because he had been struggling through the season. It was great to see him do this. Now we got a focus on the state tournament, where we can have a chance to do some damage.
"Ever since our loss to the Rockies last Monday, we had just been pounding the ball. It's great to see tonight the results of our work."
Awesome AF Cavemen Harvest 11-3 Win at Jordan During U-16 Division Play in UBAL Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under division team harvested on an 11-3 win on the Sandy diamond of the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, during Utah Baseball Academy League action June 21.
During the contest, Awesome Caveman Hagen Holmstead, a brother of 2009 state 5-A basketball MVP Hayley Holmstead, went 4-5 at the plate, swatting four straight singles. The first one hit by was a one-out single in the top of the first. Also singling that inning, A.J. Jones followed Homstead home on a Jackson Draper sacrifice fly. Clubbing a single in the top of the first, Kody "Coco" Hall got thrown out in a fielder's choice play at third, retiring American Fork to the field.
Advanced to third on a Ryan Sedillo double in the bottom of the first, Cody Davis, who had gotten on base through a walk, came come on a passed ball. The Plowboys soon loaded the bases on no outs right afterwards. As the Awesome Cavemen slapped Jordan with a double play, Sedillo and Jack Bollinger came home, putting the Plowboys ahead 3-2. American Fork didn't let Jordan make any more runs after the first inning.
The second inning opened with Jake Norton doubling out into left field. Ty Gardner doubled him in, then scored on a Zaxter Cook sacrifice groundout to put the Awesome Cavemen back ahead 4-3.
Opening the top of the third with a single, Hall got singled in by Seth Taylor on one out. The next inning, Holmstead singled in Cook on two outs. Although Jordan kept American Fork's lead stuck at 6-3 in the fifth, Holmstead singled in another run in the sixth to set off a four-run rally. In the seventh, a Hayden Wood single produced an insurance run for the Awesome Cavemen. Right after that RBI, second baseman Duke Adams snared a Holmstead fly ball and turned up a double play.
In the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Hall grounded out Panther Martin to set the stage for shutting the door on the Plowboys. Though Tate Hathaway got on base through a walk, American Fork pinched him at second in a game-ending, fielder's choice play.
American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "These guys decided to work hard on things. They've proved today that they're committed."
That was a far cry from the first week of the season when they produced only one win.
Lehi Froggies Defeat Juan Diego Screechers 7-6 in 17-Under Division Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League 17-Under Division game at Lehi June 18, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, defeated the Juan Diego Soaring Eagles, AKA the Sreechers, 7-6
Even though pitcher Braxton Deveraux, nephew of former American Fork pitching legend Dale "Grand Slam" Deveraux, gave up a two-out double to Justin Kummer in the top of the first, he struck out two batters that inning and caused Ty Olsen to fly out to center fielder Ryan Absher. Braxton went to post seven strikeouts in the game.
After pitcher Ryan Green struck out Absher at the start of the first's lower half, Nolan Padilla singled into left, and Cody Webb doubled him in.
The Froggies enjoyed their 1-0 until the top of the third. With the bases loaded on no outs, Kummer whacked a second straight double that drove in two Sreechers. Gabe Juarez soon scored on a sacrifice groundout.
After Green had struck out two straight Froggies in the bottom of the third, Lehi loaded the bases through singles hit by Kaleb Holden, Absher, and Padilla. Webb knocked Holden in. Taylor Nielson pushed the Froggies back out in front with a three-run triple. Green answered it by striking out Deveraux.
In the bottom of the fourth, Cam Lux hit a one-out triple to bring in Mason Downs. Britt Stokes knocked in Lux, ending Lehi scoring for the game.
In the fifth, Kummer opened a comeback for the Sreechers. First, he singled in Olsen, and Kummer then scored a run during a fielder's choice play at second.
Singling in the top of the sixth, Chandler Lamburt soon stole home on two outs. Green tried stealing home, also, but catcher Padilla tagged him at the plate, ending Juan Diego's last chance for victory.
Cottonwood Ponies Dry Up Lehi 8-5 in UBAL Play June 18
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Utah Baseball Academy League Action June 19, the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, Defeated the Lehi Pioneers' 17-under division team 8-5.
Tevita Gerder's pitching kept the Froggies scoreless during the first four innings. Gerder produced six strikeouts during his time on the mound.
On two outs in the first's top half, the Ponies got on the board when Nate Gardener doubled in Jake Shaprio and Jake Marvos. A Gerder single reeled in Jordan Martinez on one out in the second. The Froggies answered that one-run single with a double play.
Doubling in the fourth, Shaprio came home on a Gardner double. As soon as the Ponies had loaded the bases on two outs that inning, Martinez hit a three-run double. Third baseman Cam Lux caught a Palmer Powis pop fly to end the four-run rally.
With Gardner doubling at the start of the fifth, Sam Rickman hit a one-run double, hinting that the game would end that inning. However, the Froggies didn't let the Ponies make any more runs in the game. Tripling in the bottom of the fifth, Taylor Nielson scored on Colt Sampson's sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the next inning, Nolan Padilla hit a one-out, two-run double to open a four-run rally for the Froggies. Webb singled Padilla in, and Lehi soon loaded the bases on two outs. After the Froggies had picked up their fifth run on an error, Gerder struck out Britt Stokes, smashing Lehi's last real chance for coming from behind.
Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Bingham Pickers 3-2 in UBAL 16-Under Division Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League game at American Fork June 12, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under division team defeated the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, 3-2.
During the top of the first, pitcher A.J. Jones walked Cody Kitchen, but he caused three other Pickers to ground out, holding Bingham scoreless.
The first's bottom half opened with Hayden Wood tripling into left, and he came home on a passed ball. Even though Cousin Jackson Draper singled a few minutes later, the Awesome Cavemen couldn't pick up any more runs until the bottom of the third.
Hitting a left-field single, Kobi Willis scored on a Wood sacrifice fly. On two outs, Kody "Coco" Hall singled in Jake Norton, who had gotten on base through an error.
American Fork couldn't score any more runs after that inning, despite a fourth-inning single hit by Dallin Searle, a nephew of former American Fork baseball catch Matt Lamb.
In the meantime, the Awesome Cavemen held the Pickers scoreless until the top of the seventh. That inning, Kade Cloward tripled in Landon Walbeck and then came home on a passed ball. Shortstop Hall turned up a double play that ended the game before the Pickers could tie it.
Lehi Froggies Shut Out Awesome AF Cavemen 5-0 in UBAL Summer Tournament
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a 16-under division game played at American Fork June 12, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, defeated the Awesome American Fork Cavemen 5-0 in pool play in the Utah Baseball Academy's annual preseason summer tournament.
Froggie Pitcher Kolt Smith let the Awesome Cavemen make only two hits during the game. Both of those hits were singles A.J. Jones made one of the bottom of the second, and Tyler Gardner made the other single in the sixth.
With Cam Grace and Morgan Soper each slugging a single in the top of the first, the Froggies soon took a 2-0 lead on a Preston Higgins triple and a Dixon Grant sacrifice fly.
Through the pitching of Jones, the Awesome Cavemen held the Froggies scoreless in the second, third, and fourth innings. Second-inning singles from Dave "Wazzy" Wazmeyer and Smith presented hints that the Froggies would eventually expand their 2-0 lead. They finally did that in the fifth, which saw Paxton Terry double in Higgins and score on a Blake Smith sacrifice fly. On one out in the sixth's top half, Matt "Bub" Wilde doubled in Smith for the game's final run.
AF Cubs Win 14-8 Over AF Cardinals in Timp Colt League Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Timp Colt League Action at American Fork's Rotary Park June 14, the American Fork Cubs defeated the American Fork Cardinals 16-8.
In the top of the first, Stevie Harrison hit a two-run triple that sparked the Cubs into seizing a 4-0 lead. A younger brother of former American Fork baseball legend Taison Smith, Ricky Smith hit a two-run single that cut the lead to 4-2.
A Jensen Whitaker single set the stage for the Cubs' five-run rally in the top of the second. The Cardinals showed that they could stage long rallies, too. In the bottom of the second, Jacob Smith tripled in three runs and Brock Tanner slugged a two-run, in-the-park homer to fuel a six-run rally that put the Cardinals within 9-8.
Singling at the start of the third's top half, Whitaker soon scored on a run that unleashed a seven-run rally that saw Chase Durfey triple in three runs. The Cubs held the Cardinals scoreless through the rest of the game.
Lehi Froggies Wash Away Cottonwood Ponies 14-4 at UBAL Summer Tourney
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League summer tournament game, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, washed away the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies 14-4.
The Ponies did enjoy a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. That inning, Pony Tivata Gerder doubled in Andy "Goody Two Shoes" Goodwell, and Drew Staley hit a two-run double to create the 3-0 lead. It couldn't survive the bottom of the first.
Walked by pitcher Cam Daley in the bottom of the first, Colby Page soon stole home, setting off a 4-0 run rally for the Froggies.
Even though they committed an error in the second, they did not let the Ponies score a fourth run until the fourth inning. In the meantime, the Froggies kept hopping farther ahead. In the second inning, for instance, River "Rio" Chivara singled in a run. The third inning saw the Froggies picked up another four unearned runs.
Singling in the fourth, Staley came home on a Chris Schraegle single. That was the last run that the Froggies let the Ponies make. Lehi picked up two runs on a Brook Hansen sacrifice groundout and a Kaiden Higgins single.
In the bottom of the fifth, Tanner "Mouse" Henderson doubled in two runs to set off a four-run rally that ended the game in Lehi's favor.
Lehi Froggies Pick Bingham Pickers Apart 9-8 in UBAL Tournament
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, pulled out a 9-8 win over the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, in the 17-under division of the Utah Baseball Academy's preseason tournament June 11.
Pitcher Preston Hansen held the Pickers scoreless during the game's first two innings, even though Zach Degn singled off him in the top of the second.
Singles by Ryan Absher and Nolan Padilla set the stage for Lehi's takeover of the game during the bottom of the first. Cody Webb singled in Absher, then came home on Taylor Nielson's one-out triple. A nephew of one-time American Fork all-star pitcher Dale "Grand Slam" Deveraux, Braxton Deveraux singled in Nielson. Bingham pitcher Brandon Morley shut down the rally by striking out Kaleb Holden, a "distant cousin" of the late Hollywood actor Bill Holden.
The Froggies enjoyed their 3-0 lead until the top of the third. On one out that inning, the Pickers loaded the bases through singles hit by T.J. Bowcut, Braxton McKee, and Trevor Carlile. Carlile came home on a passed ball, setting off a three-run rally. Hansen struck out Chase Tavonatti to prevent the Pickers from pulling ahead.
Doubling in the bottom of the third, Padilla came home on a Nielson single. With the Froggies holding the Pickers scoreless in the top of the fourth, Lehi went on another rally in the bottom of the inning. Opening its lower half with a right-field double, Colt Sampson soon came home on a passed ball. Britt Stokes soon scored on an error, and Absher's one-run single put the lead at 7-3.
Bingham held the Froggies scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings. Meanwhile, the Pickers also took over the lead. In the fifth, Ryan Llwelyn singled in two run to cut the lead to 7-5. In the sixth, Lance Harrison hit a one-out single, and he came home on a passed ball. Austin Florez singled in Daxgton Dubach, and Spencer Esty's 's one-run single put the Pickers ahead 8-7.
In the seventh, the Froggies kept the Pickers from gaining anything from singles hit by Bowcutt and Llewelyn. Second baseman Stokes turned up a double play that prevented the Pickers from making any insurance run. In the bottom of the seventh, Lehi loaded the bases on one out. Webb doubled in Hansen and Absher to win the game for the Froggies.
Earlier in the day, the Foggies' 15-under team defeated the Syracuse Titans, AKA the Midgets, 12-0. Kaiden Higgins hit a two-run double in that game. Lehi Coach Matt Bezzant said, "We walked 11 times in the game. So it wasn't surprising that we got 12 runs today. Higgins pitched for us, and he gave up only two hits."
PG 15-Under Team Defeats Bingham 22-0 In UBAL Summer Tourney
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In June 13 action of the Utah Baseball Academy League's annual preseason summer tournament, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Bingham Miners 22-0 in 15-under division play at Viking Field.
Peyton Henry, the son of Viking baseball coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry, gave up only two hits during the game. Jared Tanner and Ty Topham were the only two Pickers to make hits off him. Tanner and Topham each hit a two-out single off Henry in the top of the second, and both Pickers got stuck on base.
Ferocious Viking Chase Merrill opened the game's scoring by hitting a two-run single in the first. In the second's lower half, Henry's sacrifice fly scored Ben Eldredge, who had hit a one-out double.
In the bottom of the third, Austin Favila tripled in a run, setting off a 12-run rally, which saw Eldredge and Zach Peterson each hit a double.
Favila doubled in another two runs in the fourth to set off a seven-run rally that put the game away. During that rally, Henry doubled in two runs, and Merrill hit a one-run double.
Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Lehi Froggies in 16-Under Division Play in UBAL June 23
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League game at Lehi June 23, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen dried up the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 4-3 in an eight-inning thriller during 16-under division play on the Froggies' home diamond.
The game was a rematch between the two teams, who squared off in pool play portion of the UBAL's recent preseason summer tournament. Played at American Fork, the Froggies hopped past the Awesome Cavemen 5-0.
Determined not to be humiliated again by their web-footed foes, the Awesome Cavemen played much better in the June 23 rematch. Both squads played so well in it that neither of them could score runs in the first three innings.
In going 3-3 at the plate, Hagen Holmstead, a little brother of former Awesome Cavewoman basketball star Hayley Holmstead, registered a one-out single for his first hit during the top of the first. Pitcher Blake Smith soon walked Kody "Coco" Hall on two outs. Third baseman Kolten Smith grounded out Jake "Nortie" Norton, stranding Holmstead and Hall on base.
Although Cam Grace singled off pitcher Norton in the bottom of the first, he got picked off base. Norton struck out Morgan Soper and grounded out Ryan Barnes to keep the game a scoreless deadlock.
Singles from Preston Higgins and Bub Wilde permitted the Froggies to load the bases on one out in the bottom of the second. In having allowed no Awesome Cavemen to get on base in the top of that inning, Lehi anticipated that it would get on the scoreboard first during Inning 2. However, both Smith and Logan "Wazzy" Wasmeyer both grounded before Lehi could score any runs.
With Blake Smith striking out Kolbi Willis and Nick Christensen, center fielder caught a fly ball hit by Hayden Wood, a nephew of former American Fork girls' basketball star Tonya Beck, to hold the Awesome Cavemen scoreless.
In the bottom of the third, Hunter Bolles singled off Norton, he got ensnared by a double play. Norton stuck out Soper to end the third inning in a scoreless deadlock.
The fourth inning opened with Holmstead singling into left, and he advanced to second base on A.J. Jones sacrifice bunt. After Blake Smith had walked Hall, Norton doubled in Holmstead. Hall came ome on a Ty Gardner sacrifice fly in center field, and Seth Taylor doubled in Norton, but he got stranded at second. American Fork protected its 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third by letting no Froggies get on base.
Even though Zaxter Cook got on base through an error in center field in the top of the fifth, he got put by catcher Barnes' throw to second baseman Wilde. The putout made it possible for the Froggies to keep the Awesome Cavemen from picking up a fourth run not only during the fifth, but also during the sixth and seventh innings, even though Holmstead hit his third straight single in the top of the sixth and Cousin Jackson Draper tripled on two outs into center during e top of the seventh.
In the bottom of the fifth, Grant Dixon and Wasmeyer each singled off Norton, giving American Fork big jitters. Those jitters became more intense when Bolles singled Dixon and Wasmeyer in. Grace singled Bolles in on a two-out single. Right afterwards, Sopher hit an infield single, but the Awesome Cavemen tagged Grace in a squeeze play between third and home.
The game stayed deadlocked until the top of the eighth. On one out in the top of the eighth, reliever Barnes walked Nick Christensen. After Holmstead got on base during two outs, Jones singled in Christensen. The Froggies retaliated by pinching Holmstead in a squeeze play between second and third.
On one out in the bottom of the eighth, Soper got beaned by a pitch, and Barnes joined him on base through a walk. Those two Froggies got into scoring position on two outs. Before Soper could score a tying run, Preston Higgins flew out to center field.
American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "You're never out of the woods when you play a good team like Lehi. We learned from our last game with them that we got to get better in order to compete with them. We had a lot of good at-bats today. We held them scoreless for seven of the eight innings that we played them today."
Pirates Take Down Rockies 10-3 in First Game of AFPL Championship Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In the first game of the American Fork Pony League Championship Series at Buss Manning Field June 22, the Pirates pulled down the Rockies 11-3.
In the top of the first, Rocky Kaleb Greening got on base through an error during one out. He stole around to third base, where he got picked off by a throw from pitcher Davis "Big D"Abbott. Even though the pitcher walked McCrae Morgan, he grounded out Jake Fox, holding the Rockies scoreless.
On one out in the bottom of the second, Jason "J-Dawg" Ybarra doubled into left, and Abbott doubled him in. Abbott got picked off at third. Singles from Ryan "Rhinop" Thompson and Chandler "Woody" Wood gave the Pirates a chance for a two-out rally. However, Jake "Snake" Smith struck out.
The Pirates stayed ahead by just 1-0 until the top of the third. On two outs that inning, Rocky Mike Hidgely singled in Greening to tie the game at one. Doubling in the bottom of the third, Ybarra came home on an Abbott single. The Rockies didn't let the Pirates pick up a third run that inning, however.
In the bottom of the fourth, Taylor "Durf" Durfee singled in Smith to unleash a five-run rally that saw Ybarra hit a two-run, in-the-park homer.
The Pirates improved their lead at 9-2 on one-run singles hit by Spencer "Hot Wheels" Thomas and Ybarra.
Singles from Mike Hidgely and Fox permitted the Rockies to load the bases. A Josh Ingersen sacrifice fly scored Morgan, and Hidgely came home on an error at third base. The Rockies couldn't score any more runs after the sixth.
On one out in the bottom of the sixth, Smith singled in a run, and Colt "Buzz" Evans scored another one, putting the game's final score at 11-3.
Pirates Smoke Rockies 12-2 to Win AF Pony League Pennant
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
Played at Buss Manning Field June 25, the second game of the American Fork Pony League championship series saw the Pirates smoke the Rockies 12-2.
Ptiching all of the game's five innings, Jase "J-Dawg" Ybarra posted six strikeouts, and he gave up six hits to the Rockies, but he let them make only two runs during the contest.
During the top of the first, Chris Higdely singled off Ybarra and stole second base. There, the Rocky witness the pitcher strike out Kaleb Greening and McCrae Morgan. Ybarra then grounded out Mikey Hidgely.
The bottom of the first opened with Pirate Spencer "Hot Wheels" Thomas whacking an in-the-park homer. It got answered in the top of the second of the second when Skylar Northcut hit a two-out double that brought home Jadin Fox and Josh Ingerson. With Northcut's double giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead, the contest looked as though it would stay a barnburner.
However, in the bottom of the second, the game went downhill for the Rockies. As soon as the Pirates had loaded the bases on one out the inning, Thomas singled in Colt "Buzz" Evans to set off a five-run rally for the Pirates. During the rally, Ybarra and Davis "Big D" Abbott each doubled in two runs.
In the top of the third, Mikey Hidgely whacked a two-out single off Ybarra, who answered it by grounding out Fox.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Pirates again loaded the bases on one out. Thomas singled in two runs, but the Rockies soon pinched him in a fielder's choice play at second. Soon afterwards, Abbott escaped a squeeze play between third and home, scoring a run. Davey "D-Raw" Rawson doubled in a run, but he got thrown at third.
With Evans striking out to end the fourth, the Rockies counted on a two-out, fifth-inning single, smacked by Greening, a grandson of former Awesome American Fork Caveman football coach Sir Davis Knight, to continue their cause. It collapsed through Morgan striking out.
On one out in the bottom of the fifth, Cody "Oscar" Richans, a son of former Awesome Caveman baseball player Paul "Slim" Richans, got on base through a single. Richans soon got to third on an infield error. Thomas singled him for the game-ending run. Ironicallly, Slim didn't know that his son had made the winning run until I broke the news to him right after the game.
Anyway, Pirate Coach Brian "Bucket" Parker said, "I was thrilled that Oscar made the winning run, because he had been struggling through the season. It was great to see him do this. Now we got a focus on the state tournament, where we can have a chance to do some damage.
"Ever since our loss to the Rockies last Monday, we had just been pounding the ball. It's great to see tonight the results of our work."
Awesome AF Cavemen Harvest 11-3 Win at Jordan During U-16 Division Play in UBAL Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under division team harvested on an 11-3 win on the Sandy diamond of the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, during Utah Baseball Academy League action June 21.
During the contest, Awesome Caveman Hagen Holmstead, a brother of 2009 state 5-A basketball MVP Hayley Holmstead, went 4-5 at the plate, swatting four straight singles. The first one hit by was a one-out single in the top of the first. Also singling that inning, A.J. Jones followed Homstead home on a Jackson Draper sacrifice fly. Clubbing a single in the top of the first, Kody "Coco" Hall got thrown out in a fielder's choice play at third, retiring American Fork to the field.
Advanced to third on a Ryan Sedillo double in the bottom of the first, Cody Davis, who had gotten on base through a walk, came come on a passed ball. The Plowboys soon loaded the bases on no outs right afterwards. As the Awesome Cavemen slapped Jordan with a double play, Sedillo and Jack Bollinger came home, putting the Plowboys ahead 3-2. American Fork didn't let Jordan make any more runs after the first inning.
The second inning opened with Jake Norton doubling out into left field. Ty Gardner doubled him in, then scored on a Zaxter Cook sacrifice groundout to put the Awesome Cavemen back ahead 4-3.
Opening the top of the third with a single, Hall got singled in by Seth Taylor on one out. The next inning, Holmstead singled in Cook on two outs. Although Jordan kept American Fork's lead stuck at 6-3 in the fifth, Holmstead singled in another run in the sixth to set off a four-run rally. In the seventh, a Hayden Wood single produced an insurance run for the Awesome Cavemen. Right after that RBI, second baseman Duke Adams snared a Holmstead fly ball and turned up a double play.
In the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Hall grounded out Panther Martin to set the stage for shutting the door on the Plowboys. Though Tate Hathaway got on base through a walk, American Fork pinched him at second in a game-ending, fielder's choice play.
American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "These guys decided to work hard on things. They've proved today that they're committed."
That was a far cry from the first week of the season when they produced only one win.
Lehi Froggies Defeat Juan Diego Screechers 7-6 in 17-Under Division Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League 17-Under Division game at Lehi June 18, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, defeated the Juan Diego Soaring Eagles, AKA the Sreechers, 7-6
Even though pitcher Braxton Deveraux, nephew of former American Fork pitching legend Dale "Grand Slam" Deveraux, gave up a two-out double to Justin Kummer in the top of the first, he struck out two batters that inning and caused Ty Olsen to fly out to center fielder Ryan Absher. Braxton went to post seven strikeouts in the game.
After pitcher Ryan Green struck out Absher at the start of the first's lower half, Nolan Padilla singled into left, and Cody Webb doubled him in.
The Froggies enjoyed their 1-0 until the top of the third. With the bases loaded on no outs, Kummer whacked a second straight double that drove in two Sreechers. Gabe Juarez soon scored on a sacrifice groundout.
After Green had struck out two straight Froggies in the bottom of the third, Lehi loaded the bases through singles hit by Kaleb Holden, Absher, and Padilla. Webb knocked Holden in. Taylor Nielson pushed the Froggies back out in front with a three-run triple. Green answered it by striking out Deveraux.
In the bottom of the fourth, Cam Lux hit a one-out triple to bring in Mason Downs. Britt Stokes knocked in Lux, ending Lehi scoring for the game.
In the fifth, Kummer opened a comeback for the Sreechers. First, he singled in Olsen, and Kummer then scored a run during a fielder's choice play at second.
Singling in the top of the sixth, Chandler Lamburt soon stole home on two outs. Green tried stealing home, also, but catcher Padilla tagged him at the plate, ending Juan Diego's last chance for victory.
Cottonwood Ponies Dry Up Lehi 8-5 in UBAL Play June 18
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Utah Baseball Academy League Action June 19, the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, Defeated the Lehi Pioneers' 17-under division team 8-5.
Tevita Gerder's pitching kept the Froggies scoreless during the first four innings. Gerder produced six strikeouts during his time on the mound.
On two outs in the first's top half, the Ponies got on the board when Nate Gardener doubled in Jake Shaprio and Jake Marvos. A Gerder single reeled in Jordan Martinez on one out in the second. The Froggies answered that one-run single with a double play.
Doubling in the fourth, Shaprio came home on a Gardner double. As soon as the Ponies had loaded the bases on two outs that inning, Martinez hit a three-run double. Third baseman Cam Lux caught a Palmer Powis pop fly to end the four-run rally.
With Gardner doubling at the start of the fifth, Sam Rickman hit a one-run double, hinting that the game would end that inning. However, the Froggies didn't let the Ponies make any more runs in the game. Tripling in the bottom of the fifth, Taylor Nielson scored on Colt Sampson's sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the next inning, Nolan Padilla hit a one-out, two-run double to open a four-run rally for the Froggies. Webb singled Padilla in, and Lehi soon loaded the bases on two outs. After the Froggies had picked up their fifth run on an error, Gerder struck out Britt Stokes, smashing Lehi's last real chance for coming from behind.
Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Bingham Pickers 3-2 in UBAL 16-Under Division Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League game at American Fork June 12, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under division team defeated the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, 3-2.
During the top of the first, pitcher A.J. Jones walked Cody Kitchen, but he caused three other Pickers to ground out, holding Bingham scoreless.
The first's bottom half opened with Hayden Wood tripling into left, and he came home on a passed ball. Even though Cousin Jackson Draper singled a few minutes later, the Awesome Cavemen couldn't pick up any more runs until the bottom of the third.
Hitting a left-field single, Kobi Willis scored on a Wood sacrifice fly. On two outs, Kody "Coco" Hall singled in Jake Norton, who had gotten on base through an error.
American Fork couldn't score any more runs after that inning, despite a fourth-inning single hit by Dallin Searle, a nephew of former American Fork baseball catch Matt Lamb.
In the meantime, the Awesome Cavemen held the Pickers scoreless until the top of the seventh. That inning, Kade Cloward tripled in Landon Walbeck and then came home on a passed ball. Shortstop Hall turned up a double play that ended the game before the Pickers could tie it.
Lehi Froggies Shut Out Awesome AF Cavemen 5-0 in UBAL Summer Tournament
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a 16-under division game played at American Fork June 12, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, defeated the Awesome American Fork Cavemen 5-0 in pool play in the Utah Baseball Academy's annual preseason summer tournament.
Froggie Pitcher Kolt Smith let the Awesome Cavemen make only two hits during the game. Both of those hits were singles A.J. Jones made one of the bottom of the second, and Tyler Gardner made the other single in the sixth.
With Cam Grace and Morgan Soper each slugging a single in the top of the first, the Froggies soon took a 2-0 lead on a Preston Higgins triple and a Dixon Grant sacrifice fly.
Through the pitching of Jones, the Awesome Cavemen held the Froggies scoreless in the second, third, and fourth innings. Second-inning singles from Dave "Wazzy" Wazmeyer and Smith presented hints that the Froggies would eventually expand their 2-0 lead. They finally did that in the fifth, which saw Paxton Terry double in Higgins and score on a Blake Smith sacrifice fly. On one out in the sixth's top half, Matt "Bub" Wilde doubled in Smith for the game's final run.
AF Cubs Win 14-8 Over AF Cardinals in Timp Colt League Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Timp Colt League Action at American Fork's Rotary Park June 14, the American Fork Cubs defeated the American Fork Cardinals 16-8.
In the top of the first, Stevie Harrison hit a two-run triple that sparked the Cubs into seizing a 4-0 lead. A younger brother of former American Fork baseball legend Taison Smith, Ricky Smith hit a two-run single that cut the lead to 4-2.
A Jensen Whitaker single set the stage for the Cubs' five-run rally in the top of the second. The Cardinals showed that they could stage long rallies, too. In the bottom of the second, Jacob Smith tripled in three runs and Brock Tanner slugged a two-run, in-the-park homer to fuel a six-run rally that put the Cardinals within 9-8.
Singling at the start of the third's top half, Whitaker soon scored on a run that unleashed a seven-run rally that saw Chase Durfey triple in three runs. The Cubs held the Cardinals scoreless through the rest of the game.
Lehi Froggies Wash Away Cottonwood Ponies 14-4 at UBAL Summer Tourney
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a Utah Baseball Academy League summer tournament game, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, washed away the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies 14-4.
The Ponies did enjoy a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. That inning, Pony Tivata Gerder doubled in Andy "Goody Two Shoes" Goodwell, and Drew Staley hit a two-run double to create the 3-0 lead. It couldn't survive the bottom of the first.
Walked by pitcher Cam Daley in the bottom of the first, Colby Page soon stole home, setting off a 4-0 run rally for the Froggies.
Even though they committed an error in the second, they did not let the Ponies score a fourth run until the fourth inning. In the meantime, the Froggies kept hopping farther ahead. In the second inning, for instance, River "Rio" Chivara singled in a run. The third inning saw the Froggies picked up another four unearned runs.
Singling in the fourth, Staley came home on a Chris Schraegle single. That was the last run that the Froggies let the Ponies make. Lehi picked up two runs on a Brook Hansen sacrifice groundout and a Kaiden Higgins single.
In the bottom of the fifth, Tanner "Mouse" Henderson doubled in two runs to set off a four-run rally that ended the game in Lehi's favor.
Lehi Froggies Pick Bingham Pickers Apart 9-8 in UBAL Tournament
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, pulled out a 9-8 win over the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, in the 17-under division of the Utah Baseball Academy's preseason tournament June 11.
Pitcher Preston Hansen held the Pickers scoreless during the game's first two innings, even though Zach Degn singled off him in the top of the second.
Singles by Ryan Absher and Nolan Padilla set the stage for Lehi's takeover of the game during the bottom of the first. Cody Webb singled in Absher, then came home on Taylor Nielson's one-out triple. A nephew of one-time American Fork all-star pitcher Dale "Grand Slam" Deveraux, Braxton Deveraux singled in Nielson. Bingham pitcher Brandon Morley shut down the rally by striking out Kaleb Holden, a "distant cousin" of the late Hollywood actor Bill Holden.
The Froggies enjoyed their 3-0 lead until the top of the third. On one out that inning, the Pickers loaded the bases through singles hit by T.J. Bowcut, Braxton McKee, and Trevor Carlile. Carlile came home on a passed ball, setting off a three-run rally. Hansen struck out Chase Tavonatti to prevent the Pickers from pulling ahead.
Doubling in the bottom of the third, Padilla came home on a Nielson single. With the Froggies holding the Pickers scoreless in the top of the fourth, Lehi went on another rally in the bottom of the inning. Opening its lower half with a right-field double, Colt Sampson soon came home on a passed ball. Britt Stokes soon scored on an error, and Absher's one-run single put the lead at 7-3.
Bingham held the Froggies scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings. Meanwhile, the Pickers also took over the lead. In the fifth, Ryan Llwelyn singled in two run to cut the lead to 7-5. In the sixth, Lance Harrison hit a one-out single, and he came home on a passed ball. Austin Florez singled in Daxgton Dubach, and Spencer Esty's 's one-run single put the Pickers ahead 8-7.
In the seventh, the Froggies kept the Pickers from gaining anything from singles hit by Bowcutt and Llewelyn. Second baseman Stokes turned up a double play that prevented the Pickers from making any insurance run. In the bottom of the seventh, Lehi loaded the bases on one out. Webb doubled in Hansen and Absher to win the game for the Froggies.
Earlier in the day, the Foggies' 15-under team defeated the Syracuse Titans, AKA the Midgets, 12-0. Kaiden Higgins hit a two-run double in that game. Lehi Coach Matt Bezzant said, "We walked 11 times in the game. So it wasn't surprising that we got 12 runs today. Higgins pitched for us, and he gave up only two hits."
PG 15-Under Team Defeats Bingham 22-0 In UBAL Summer Tourney
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In June 13 action of the Utah Baseball Academy League's annual preseason summer tournament, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Bingham Miners 22-0 in 15-under division play at Viking Field.
Peyton Henry, the son of Viking baseball coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry, gave up only two hits during the game. Jared Tanner and Ty Topham were the only two Pickers to make hits off him. Tanner and Topham each hit a two-out single off Henry in the top of the second, and both Pickers got stuck on base.
Ferocious Viking Chase Merrill opened the game's scoring by hitting a two-run single in the first. In the second's lower half, Henry's sacrifice fly scored Ben Eldredge, who had hit a one-out double.
In the bottom of the third, Austin Favila tripled in a run, setting off a 12-run rally, which saw Eldredge and Zach Peterson each hit a double.
Favila doubled in another two runs in the fourth to set off a seven-run rally that put the game away. During that rally, Henry doubled in two runs, and Merrill hit a one-run double.
