Awesome AF Cavemen's Win Over Ferocious Vikings in JV Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

March 31, 2015

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's winning both ends of a junior varsity baseball doubleheader played on the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' home field March 28. Both games of the doubleheader were thrilling. Let's take a swing at them.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavemen Win Both Games of JV Twin at Pleasant Grove March 28

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings by scores 4-3 and 12-11 in a junior varsity baseball doubleheader at Pleasant Grove March 28.

In the first game of the twin bill, the first inning's bottom half saw Ferocious Viking Hayden Veenker slug a double, and Logan Hooley singled him in.

The score stayed at 1-0 until the top of the fourth. Capitalizing on an error in the fourth's top half, Scotty Hughes came home for a tying run. American Fork then pulled ahead 2-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Veenker doubled, and Hooley doubled him in. Hooley then scored a run himself to put Pleasant Grove ahead 3-2. The Ferocious Vikings prevented the Awesome Cavemen from capitalizing on a fifth-inning single hit by Ryan Reid, a grandnephew of the late Duke Reid, a Brighton Bad Old Puddy Tat and UVU men's basketball coaching legend.

In the bottom of the fifth, shorstop Ryan Hardman connected a throw to his older bother Buster "Bunny" Hardman to complete a double play that sabotaged Pleasant Grove's attempt to go on a long rally.

In the top of the sixth, Awesome Caveman Mick Madsen singled into left, and Dillan Johnstone singled him for the tying run. It forced the same into an eighth inning.

In the top of the eighth, Hughes tripled into left, and on one out, he scored a tie-breaking run. Despite singles from Ryan Christiansen and Logan Hooley, the Ferocious Vikings couldn't score any runs.

In the top of the second game's first inning, the Awesome Cavemen went on a long scoring run started by Hayden "Crazy Horse" Wood's two-run single. Kastan Rasmussen prolonged the rally through hitting a two-run triple and stealing home. Pleasant Grove shut down American Fork after Weston Flinders singled in two runs to improve the American Fork lead at 7-0.

Aided by a Veenker double in the bottom of the first, the Ferocious Vikings slashed the lead down to 7-3 on singles hit by Hooley, Tate "Tater Tot" Briggs, and Bub Wilde.

Holding American Fork scoreless in the second's top half, Pleasant Grove went on another three-run rally during the bottom of the second. Ty Lewis opened the rally by hitting a one-run single. A Staley Hansgen, two-run double put the Ferocious Vikings within 7-6.

On two outs in the top of the third, Woods stole home to put the lead at 8-6. In the bottom of the inning, singles from Wilde and Wells sparked another Pleasant Grove comeback. After Wilde stole home, Lewis singled in Wells to tie the game at eight.

Rasmussen doubled in a run in the top of the fifth to put American Fork ahead 9-8, but he got called out  for skipping a base. For a second time in the game, Lewis hit a tying one-run single. This time he knotted the score nine.

In the top of the sixth, Pleasant Grove prevented American Fork from capitalizing on a Colt "Hammer" Carpenter single. In the bottom of the sixth, the Ferocious Vikings pulled ahead 10-9 during a fielder's choice plauy. Lewis singled in a run to improve Pleasant Grove's lead at 11-9.

In the top of the seventh, a Tua Ward single opened the way for a three-run rally fueled by a Johnstone triple and a Wood single. American Fork prevented a Hooley single from enabling the Ferocious to rallying back.

American Fork jayvee coach Jay Holmstead, "We swept both the sophomore and junior varsity series against Pleasant Grove. Our guys kept battling back. We have four ninth-graders on the team. They showed a lot of confidence whenever they got up to bat. That spread to the rest of our team. That helped us win today."

Lehi Boys' Region 4 Soccer Opener

Timp Sports Weekly

March 24, 2014

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, opening their Region Four boys' soccer schedule against the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings. The game turned out be absolutely riveting -- correction, ribbiting. Let's get to that story.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Hop Past Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings 4-1 in a Region 4 Boys' Soccer Opener

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Region Four boys' soccer opener at Lehi March 18, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, hopped past the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings 4-1.

Even though the game was riveting -- correction, ribbiting all the way through, the Froggies never trailed once in the game. Those webfooted kickers showed Pleasant Grove how difficult it was for any visiting team to do well on their Astro Turf field.

During the first 10 minutes of play, the Froggies took a 2-0 on shots Matt "Thunderbolt" Holt and Leo Fuchs.

Pleasant Grove refused to resign to suffering a shutout loss. Twenty-two minutes into the half, ninth-grader Conner "Terminator" Ecalano kicked in a goal for the Ferocious Vikings from inside the Froggies' penalty box.

Lehi didn't let that Ferocious Viking goal go unanswered for long. Two minutes later, Isaiah 

"So Tall" Altimorano kicked in a goal for the Froggies. While they enjoyed croaking about it, Fuchs gave them something to croak about even louder. In the second half, he scored that period's only goal to puncture the Ferocious Vikings' morale.

Just before Fuchs' second goal, the Ferocious Vikings almost cut the lead down to one goal when 

Jake Bodily attempted to cross a pass to Omar "Kyam" Ortiz. However, goalie Tanner "Muncy" Munson deflected the intended pass.

Lehi Froggies Fix Hillcrest Puppies in Both Ends of Preseason Doubleheader
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a preseason doubleheader played at Lehi March 21, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, fixed the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies, by scores of 4-3 and 10-0.

The last time that the Froggies had played the Puppies, Lehi's win over Hillcrest cost Lehi the privilege to go to state, because that victory had proved to be an illegal, preseason game for the Froggies, and they had to forfeit two crucial games to the Herriman Mustangs, AKA the Pretty Ponies. This time, the only things at stake were bragging rights.  

The first game for those rights went down as quite riveting -- correction, ribbiting. Though the Froggies committed two errors in the starting inning of the first game, pitcher Drew "Zimmy" Zimmerman guided them into holding the Puppies scoreless in that round. In the bottom of that inning, Blake Smith, hit a two-out single, but the Puppies kept him chained on base.

Even though Collin Everett clubbed a third-inning single for the Puppies, they couldn't get on the scoreboard first until the top of the fourth. That inning opened with Captain Scotty Edwards and Skyler "Okie-Doak" Ochs each slugging a single for the Puppies. They soon loaded the bases. An Everett walk scored Edwards, and Jeremy Dawson, a "distant cousin" of Hollywood actress Rosario Dawson, singled in Ochs.

A great-grandson of the late Johnny Roberts, a much beloved sportswriter for the old American Fork Citizen, Koy Smith opened the bottom of the fourth with a single, and Kaden Higgins' one-out doubled reeled Smith in. Jason James batted Higgins, and Ryan Barnes singled in two Froggies to put Lehi ahead 4-3. The Puppies didn't let the Froggies make any more runs in the game, despite Higgins' sixth-inning single.

In the top of the sixth, V.J. "Vinnie" Vinson clubbed a double that moved Ochs into scoring position. Ochs soon tried to race home, but catcher Broc Hansen tagged. Lehi Coach Jason Ingersoll said, "That play at home went down as one of the most important plays." Had Ochs scored a run, the game would have been soon tied on a Gilliland single. As things turned out, that single brought in Vinson, but Lehi prevented the Puppies from tying the game at four, despite an Edwards double in the seventh.

On two outs in the bottom of the game's first inning, Kevin Higgins hit a three-run homer that spurred the Froggies on to defeating the Puppies 10-0 in six innings.

Ferocious PG Vikings' Win Over Cottonwood Ponies

Timp Sports Weekly

March 17, 2015

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' 5-3 win over the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, in a non-league jayvee game played March 9. Let's take a swing at that game.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Cottonwood Ponies 5-3 in JV Thriller March 9

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a non-league jayvee game at Pleasant Grove March 9, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, 5-3.

Posting four strikeouts, Pony pitcher Hunter Hugely held the Ferocious Vikings scoreless during the first three innings, even though he gave up a single to Peyton Henry, a very close relative of Viking head baseball coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry, in the bottom of the first. Peyton Henry's first-inning single was the only Pleasant Grove hit produced in the first three innings. Moreover, Henry turned out to be the only Ferocious Viking to get on base during those innings. 

Meanwhile, the Ponies loaded the bases on no outs in the top of the first, and a Hugely walk scored Jeff  Borcaz. Teammate Oliver "Big Ollie" Dunn scored the second Pony run as as the Ferocious Vikings hit the Ponies with a double play. Pitcher Bub Wilde struck out Chris Rowan, a "distant cousin" of late comedian Dan Rowan, to end the first inning's top half.

In the top of the second, third baseman Ty Lewis grounded out Will Jensen and Nate Baker. After Wilde walked Shay "Tommy Cat" Thomas, A.J. Palmer flew out to left fielder Rynne Christensen.

The score stayed at 2-0 until Rowan singled in Hugely on a right-field fly in the top of the third. After that hit, Wilde didn't let the Ponies make any more runs in the game.

Singling into left in the bottom of the fourth, Wilde set the stage for a Ferocious Viking comeback. Tate Briggs singled him and Henry in. Ty Wells doubled in Briggs to tie the score at three.

In the top of the fourth, Ferocious Viking left fielder Malik Overstreet picked off a Tommy Cat Thomas fly ball that almost cleared the backfield fence. The catch drew standing ovations from both the bleachers and the Pleasant Grove dugout. That catch left the impression that it would be as memorable as the one Overstreet made for a last-minute touchdown gave the Ferocious Vikings a close win over Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, in a football game two autumns ago.

After Ty Lewis singled in the bottom of the fifth, Wilde doubled him in. Henry then doubled Wilde to put the score at 5-3. Although Colman "Mr. Ed" Edwards and Logan Hooley each singled for Pleasant Grove in the bottom of the sixth, the Ferocious Vikings couldn't make any more runs in the game.

 Cottonwood tried to come back on singles hit by Rowan and Will Jensen in the sixth and seventh resectively, but Lewis and reliever Henry kept the Ponies in check.

Mini Baseball Tournament at Jordan

Timp Sports Weekly

March 10, 2015

Publisher's Message

With high school basketball now history until this coming November, we now must focus on spring sports such as boys' soccer and baseball. This week's issue concerns a recent weekend mini baseball tournament that the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, hosted. The Awesome American Fork Cavemen and the Taylorsville Road Warriors played in it. My Awesome Cavemen won the tournament, by the way. That tourney also saw an outstanding performance of former Awesome Caveman Alex Baeza, who's now a Plowboy. We will look at his performance later in this issue. In the meantime, let's look at how my Awesome Cavemen shined in the tournament.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavebatters Open 2015 Baseball Season with 9-4 Win Over Taylorsville Road Warriors

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen opened their 2015 baseball season with a 9-4 win over the Taylorville Road Warriors at a mini tournament hosted by the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys.

The game opened on a worrisome note for the Awesome Cavemen, for the Road Warriors grounded out American Fork's first two batters: Kody "Coco" Hall and Quick Mick Madsen. Suddenly, No. 3 hitter Hagen "Speedster" Holmsted rifled a single into center. A nephew of American Fork sports legend Matt Lamb, Dallin Searle belted an infield single, and a throwing error let Holmstead score. Sir Turner Knight singled in Searle, but despite a Seth "Needles" Taylor single, pitcher Cole "Logs" Firecoat prevented American Fork from going on a long rally in the first inning. Moreover, Logs Firecoat held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the second and third, despite a third-inning single hit by Madsen.

The Road Warriors picked Tyler "Guard Dog" Gardner off base in the second and brained American Fork with a double play that same inning. The next inning, Madsen got put out on a throw for home plate to second base.

While American Fork stayed stuck on its 2-0- lead, the Awesome Cavemen prevented Taylorsville from capitalizing on a second-inning error committed by them. After pitcher Searle grounded out Austin "Butts" Buttenda. American Fork sprung a double play. It helped American Fork to hold the Road Warriors scoreless until the fifth's lower half.

After Firecoat struck out Sir Turner in the top of the fourth Taylor singled off him, and then came home on a Jake Norton triple. Norton scored on a Gardner sacrifice groundout.

Despite Searle striking out Luke "Bananas" Jacketta and Logan "Ewell" Gibbons, the Road Warriors still managed to load the bases on three walks. Second baseman Holmstead picked off a Nate Hess fly ball to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Madsen belted a one-out single, and Holmstead doubled him in to start a five-run rally. During it Searle and Norton singled in a run.

When the Road Warriors loaded on the bases on no outs and three walks in the bottom of the fifth, Searle got replaced at the mound by Justin DeMarco, a grandnephew of my former schoolmate Ken DeMarco. Almighty Kasey Gaal singled in Isaac "Flicker" Candelaria for the first Road Warrior run of the game. Ken DeMarco's grandnephew prevented the Road Warriors from going on a long rally that inning.

The game's score stayed a 9-1 until the bottom of the seventh. On one out the inning, Buttenda homered in three runs to cut the lead to 9-4. After reliever Taylor had struck out Hess, Gibbons got pinched in a fielder's choice play, ending the game.

Former Awesome Caveman Paces Jordan Plowboys to 5-3 Win Over Taylorsville Road Warriors
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In the first game of a mini baseball tournament hosted by the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, March 7, a former Awesome American Fork Caveman paced Jordan a 5-3 win over the Taylorsville Road Warriors.

Having played baseball for the Awesome American Fork Cavemen last summer, Alex "Cross" Baeza held his own as a pitcher against the Road Warriors during the 4 2/3 innings that he threw for the Plowboys.

 Baeza did have a shaky first inning against Taylorsville. The game opened with Road Warrior Chase "Strong Stuff" Huff singling off Baeza. Though Huff got tagged by catcher Bretton Randall in a fielder's choice play at home, the Road Warriors still secured on a 2-0 lead on an Austin "Butts" Buttenda walk and a Nate "Wildfire" Hess one-run single.

Opening the bottom of the first on a single, Plowboy Cody Davis scored a run on an error at third base.

The game's score stayed at 2-1 until the top of the third. That inning opened with Bobby "Saint" De Benidictis tripling into left. That Road Warrior then came home on a passed ball. Baeza held the Road Warriors scoreless for the rest of his time on the mound.

Davis doubled in the bottom of the second, and he came home on a Jackson Bolingbroke double. The next inning, Plowboy Noah "Ark" Henninger singled into left, and he scored on Sir Caleb Knight's sacrifice groundout to tie the game at three.

Though Bolingbroke replaced Baeza at the mound in the top of the fifth, the former Awesome Caveman still played a pivotal role in the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Baeza tripled in Davis on one  out, and then he came home on a Seth Butterfield triple to conclude the game's scoring.

The Plowboys' 5-3 win over Taylorsville earned them a berth in the mini tournament's championship game against American Fork.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Jordan Plowboys 5-4 in Mini Tournament Championship Game March 7
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, 5-4 in the championship game of a mini baseball tournament hosted by Jordan March 7.

The two teams battled to a scoreless tie in the first inning of the game, despite a two-out single hit by Awesome Caveman Hagen Holmstead in the bottom of the first.

With Seth Butterfield hitting an left-field single at the start of the second inning, the Plowboys grabbed a 2-0 lead on an infield error. Jordan's lead grew to 3-0 in the third inning when an Alex "Cross" Baeza sacrifice fly scored Jackson Bolingbroke soon after Drew "The Disk" Lisk had hit a double.

In the bottom of the third, a Kody "Coco" Hall single moved Jake Norton into scoring position. Mick Madsen's sacrifice groundout scored Norton, and Hall came home during a fielder's choice play at second, cutting the lead to 3-2.

On two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Ty "Guard Dog" Gardner came home on an error to tie the game at three. Hall singled in a run to give the Awesome Cavemen a 4-3 lead. It didn't last long. The next inning, Bolingbroke scored on an American Fork error to tie the game at four during two outs.

A twin brother of Awesome Cavewoman soccer player Audrey Searle, Dallin Searle singled into left during the bottom of the fifth. On one out, Seth "Needles" Taylor doubled Searle in. Neither team could score any more runs after Tayor's double.

American Fork Coach Jarod "Prankster" Ingersoll said, "We threw a lot of good pitches today. We gave several pitchers a chance to show what they would be able to do for us at the Red Rock Classic in George this coming weekend. All of our pitchers did a good job."

American Fork will be taking a 2-0 preseason record to the weekend tournament.