Timp Sports Weekly
June 29, 2011
Publisher's Message
For this week's issue, we look at the last two weeks of how northern Utah County summer baseball teams have been faring. We're going to be looking at Utah Baseball Academy League play, two Timpanogos Colt League games, and two American Fork Pony League playoff contests. Let's get to those stories.
Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com
Awesome American Fork Cavemen Win 13-7 Over Cottonwood Ponies in 16-Under Division Game In UBAL Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
During a 16-under division game in the Utah Baseball Academy League June 25, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen posted a 13-7 win on the Murray field of the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies.
Spurredon by singles from Sean Hardman and Kody "Koko" Hall, the Awesome Cavemen took a 2-1 lead over the Ponies in the first inning. in the top of the second, Hardman singled in two runners during a three-run rally, improving American Fork's lead at 5-1.. In the third, a Hall single scored Skylar Mounteer. Singling in Zac Willis in the top of the fourth, Milo Abbot improved the Awesome Caveman lead at 7-1.
Doubling in the bottom of the fourth, Nate Gardiner scored on Hunter Smith's sacrifice groundout. American Fork kept Cottonwood from stampeding back during the fourth.
Advanced to third by Eli "Iza Comin'" Aubrey's one-out double, Mounteer scored on a Hall sacririce groundout. The Awesome Cavemen's 8-2 lead received big slashes in the bottom of the fifth. Singling in its bottom of half, Gavin Gurthrie, a "distant cousin" of folk singer Arlo Guthrie, came home on an American Fork error. Jake Marvo singled in another two runs to gas up a five-run rally that put Cottonwood within 8-7. Bubba Taveta grounded out before the Ponies could tie the game at eight.
On two outs during the top of the sixth, Alec Shulz singled in Hardman and moved Abbott to third. However, Koy Dibb struck out before the Awesome Cavemen could go on a rally. They held the Ponies scoreless in the bottom of the sixth.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Andy Bartholemew singled in Aubrey to start a five-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen. Hardman whacked another two-run single to give himself a total of four RBI's for the morning. Willis doubled Hardman in, then came home on an Abbott single.
Pitcher Willis walked Marvo in the bottom of the seventh. Marvo tried stealing second, but he got tagged while trying to steal back to first. That play helped to prevent the Colts from putting any runners on base in the bottom of the seventh.
Loners Drain Lehi 13-6 in UBAL Action June 24
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In a June 24 game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under division, the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, won the Lehi Pioneers' home field by a score of 13-6.
"They [Lehi] gave up three errors to us in the first inning, and we jumped on those things right away to take a 4-0 over them early," said Lone Peak Coach Guy Trowbridge.
AKA the Froggies, the Pioneers never could put together an effective hitting attack against the Loners during the game. Singles from Carson Kelshaw and Braxton Deveraux set the stage for the four-run rally. A Hunter Trowbridge sacrifice groundout scored Kelshaw, and after Braxton Barnes had gotten on base through an error, Tanner "Anvil" Smith singled in two runs, but got forced out at second. J.D. Spencer singled in a run to climax the rally.
In the bottom of the first, Tyson Webster and Andy Paul got on base through walks, but of those Froggies got stranded on base.
The top of the second saw Kelshaw singled in Justin Simpson, a "distatnt cousin" of TV's Bart Simpson. That was the only single that pitcher Cam "Tux" Lux let the Loners make that inning. In its lower half, Mitch "The Switch" Jeppson hit a two-out, solo homer over the right-field fence. After Taylor Nielsen had singled into left, Clint Christofferson grounded out.
With no scoring occurring in the third, the fourth saw the Loners hoping to profit from a Smith single hit into left. However, the Froggies kept Lone Peak from making any kind of gain from the hit.
In the bottom of the fourth, K.J. Griffith singled into right, and Andy Paul tripled him in on no outs. Paul soon came home on a Kade Evans sacrifice fly, sending Lehi hopping within 5-3.
Another extension of the Loner lead occurred in the fifth. In the top of it, Deveraux doubled in Kelshaw, then came home on a Hunter Trowbridge single. Catcher Nolan Padilla put out Trowbridge through a throw to second baseman Jeppson. Singles from Simpson and J.D. Spencer kept the Loner rally going. It climaxed with Casey Lundquist singling in a run. Lux answered that RBI by striking out Kelshaw.
Even though Nielson reached first on a Loner error in the bottom of the fifth, the Froggies couldn't make any runs that inning.
Singling at the beginning of the sixth, Barnes tripled in Deveraux., then home on a double fired by Jeremiah "Bullfrog" Van Dyke. Lehi answered those two Loner sixth-inning runs with two of its own. On the bottom of the sixth, Padilla stole home on one out, and an Evans sacrifice fly.
Singles from Simpson and Lundquist set the stage for the last Loner run of the night. Simpson scored it as shortstop Evans turned up a double play. Deveraux struck right afterwards.
Singling on one out at the start of the seventh's lower half, Jeppson soon came home on a Clint Christofferson double. Christofferson then came home on a Hazen "Purple Haze" Smith sacrifice groundout. Lehi's comeback effort collapsed through Webster flying out into center field.
Yankees Force 2nd Game in AFPL Championship Series Against Rockies
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
Played at American Fork's Bus Manning Field June 23, the first game of the American Fork Pony League championship series saw the Yankees win 12-8 over the Rockies, forcing a second game, scheduled to be played June 27.
The first inning opened on a great note for the Rockies. Greyson Gramily singled in Kaleb Greening to open a six-run rally for the Rockies. They also got one-run singles from Louis "Lou" Figueroa and Chris Turners. Bridger "Mountain Man" Brooksby singled in another two runs for them.
On two outs in the bottom of the inning, Yankee Spencer Thomas singled in Jason Nelson. That was the only run that the Rockies let the Yankees make that inning.
The Yankee defense held the Rockies scoreless in the second and third innings. This achievement gave the Yankees a fresh chance for rallying back. Having come from behind to defeat the Pirates, the defending league champs June 22, the Yankees proved again in the bottom of the third that they were a hard time to hold in check. Singling at the start of the third's lower half, Jason Nelson stole home, stirring up a three-run rally, aided by Rocky errors. By the time the Rockies had shut down the rally, the Yankees had charged back wityhin 6-4.
Early in the fourth, Hunter Loveless homered in Brooksby to improve the Rocky lead at 8-4. Despite a Daman Carter single right afterwards, Brooksby's two-run homer failed to give the Rockies the momentum they needed for staying ahead.
On two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Parker Wimmer singled in a run to spark a five-run stampede that put the Yankees ahead 9-8. Taking over pitching duties in the top of the fifth, Dallin Searle, a cousin of Awesome American Fork Caveman baseball player Brock "Mutton" Lamb, held the Rockies scoreless through the rest of the night.
In the bottom of the fifth, Branden "Rambo" Frambro hit a one-run single, and the Yankees picked up two sixth-inning insurance runs on Branden Chambers sacrifice fly and a Jeremy Smith single.
Pirates Scuttle White Sox in AFPL Playoff Game June 16
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In an American Fork Pony League playoff game at Bus Manning Field June 16, the Pirates rebounded from a first-round loss June 14 to scuttle the White Sox 31-6 in a game that couldn't last beyond three innings, because of the Pirates' long rallies.
Pirate Coach Brian "Bucket" Parker said, "We hit it pretty good tonight. The Rockies beat us up 10-8 last Tuesday. We were ahead 10-2 at one point, but we fell apart in that game. It was great to see us do much better tonight."
Being the visiting team, the White Sox experienced frustration in making hits. They couldn't make any until the top of the third. By then, their effort to last another game had become a lost cause. In the top of the first, Harley Greiner was the only White Sox to get on base through a walk. The next White Sox walk occurred in the top of the second, when Zach Lelux got on base. Gunner Lamb produced the first White Sox hit of the game when he doubled into left, and he came home on a steal to produced a six-run rally.
The Pirates unleashed their murderous firepower in the bottom of the first. It opened with Colby "The Coaster" Frost doubling into left. Davis "Big D" Abbott doubled him and Hunter "Special K" Shemensky in to open a 14-run rally. During it, Dalton "D-Man" Nielson whacked a two-run, in-the-park homer. Shemensky and Hunter "Hornet" Hudson each doubled in two runs. The Pirates also got a one-run double from Chance "Seabiscut" Beasley and a two-run single from Nate "Gon" Ellison, and a one-run single from Russ "Red Bull" Carnagie.
Taylor "Huggie Bear" Reece's two-run triple sparked a 17-run rally for the Pirates in the second inning. Abbot hit another two-run double in the second to lead the Pirates with four RBI's for the night.
SF Dons Have Gay Old Time in Soaking Up 6-5 Win at Lehi
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Spanish Fork Dons had a happy time June 15 when they rowed in Lehi and posted a 6-5 win over the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, during a 17-under division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League.
The game's first 2 1/2 innings went down as a gay old time for Spanish Fork as the Dons scored all six of their runs in those rounds.
The game opened with Don Cam Money doubling off Hazen "Haze" Smith. The Don ran merrily home on a passed ball, and two-outs, Connor Johnson singled in Gentry Robinson.
In the bottom of the first, Lehi's Tyson Webster singled off pitcher Money, only to become ensnared in a double play turned up by shortstop Braxton Arygle. First baseman Johnson grounded out M'Kay Driggs, holding Lehi scoreless. The Froggies couldn't put any more players on base until the bottom of the third.
A Froggie error in the second inning allowed Morgan Nelson and Zach Slaymaker tear home. Robinson singled in Money to put the lead at 5-0. Logan Jensen doubled in Johnson in the third to conclude Spanish Fork scoring for the night. Spanish Fork's Jason Money singled in the top of the fourth, but got put out by catcher Terry Pxoton's throw to second baseman Cody Webb. The fourth saw Cort Nielsen single into left, but he picked off at first. Although Cam Money hit a one-out single in the seventh, he became stranded at third.
On two outs in the bottom of the third, Cole Christofferson singled in left, and a Smith single drove him home. That run began Lehi's comeback. Doubling in the fourht, Driggs came home on a Webb sacrifice fly. In the sixth, Driggs doubled in two runs, then came home on an Andy Paul single. Despite a Clint Christofferson single in the seventh, the Froggies couldn't catch up with Spanish Fork.
Ferocious Vikings Defeat Awesome Cavemen 1-0 in UBAL Season Opener June 13
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings won 1-0 on the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's home diamond in a June 13 season opener for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under division.
The contest went down as an outstanding pitching duel between Awesome Caveman Danny Beddes and Ferocious Viking Tyler Harmon. Beddes fanned four Pleasant Grove hitters while Harmon scattered American Fork's five hits in the game.
It opened with Riley Erickson doubling off Beddes, who then struck out Bryce Jones and Bradon King. Right fielder Sean Hardman picked off a Harmon fly ball.
In the bottom of the first, Zach Willis and Beddes each hit a two-out single off Harmon, but a fielder's choice play at second kept American Fork scoreless.
In the second inning, Colt Sheriff singled on Beddes, but a throw from catcher Willis to second baseman Morgan "Mo" Flinders put the Ferocios Viking out. On two outs in the bottom of the second, both Ky Clayton and Hardman each singled, but they got stuck on base. After Tyson Heaps hit a one-out single for American Fork in bottom of the fourth, the Awesome Cavemen couldn't make any more hits for the night.
Getting on base through a fourth-inning walk, Erickson scored the game's only run through an overthrow past second. Though that was American Fork's only error for the night, it still proved to be fatal to the Awesome Cavemen.
"We played great defense tonight against a team that had finished second at the recent state tournament," said Ferocious Viking Coach Darren Henry. "Tyler threw tonight a total of 76 pitches, the number thrown in a bullpin. That's a great number to win a game within ."
PG Cardinals Defeat AF Yankees 11-2 in Colt League Play June 14
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Timp Colt League action at American Fork's Rotary Park June 14, the Pleasant Grove Cardinals defeated the American Fork Yankees 11-2.
Getting on base through a first-inning walk, Cardinal Wes Alder soon stole home. That was the only run of the inning.
In the top of the second, Penny Gassman tripled in two runs, then stole home, improving Pleasant Grove's lead at 4-0. Yankee Austin Smith produced a triple of his own in the bottom of the inning, but he got stuck on base.
With Matt Corsley doubling in a run in the top of the third, the Cardinals went on a four-run rally. It got answered in the bottom of the third when Josh Smith doubled in Jacob Ingerson and Carson Buckner. Josh's hit was the only time that American Fork could score runs in the game.
In the fifth, Alder doubled into left, and C.J. Stubbs singled him in. Stubbs came home on a Branson Carter double. Carter later got forced out at home.
AF Shuts Out Skyline Little Birdies 5-0 in UBAL 17-Under Division Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Utah Baseball Academy League action at American Fork June 20, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen posted a 5-0 win over the Skyline Eagles, AKA the Little Birdies, in a 17-under division game.
The Awesome Cavemen allowed the Little Birdies to make only one hit in the game. That hit was a Luke Meyers single slugged in the top of the second.
Stung by a first-inning double play, the Little Birdies couldn't put together an effective offense throughout the entire game.
Miles Abbot doubled in Zach Willis and Jeremy Reynolds in the bottom of the first. In the third, Willis doubled in B.J. Eldredge on two outs, then came home on a Reynolds single. Singling into left during the bottom of the fourth, Morgan "Mo" Flinders reeled in Beddes for the final Awesome Caveman run for the night.
American Fork ended the game by belting the Little Birdies with a double play.
American Fork Coach Corey Clayton said, "We turned up a couple of double plays that that stopped them cold, and we we came up with some timely hits that allowed us to win 5-0 tonight."
Jordan Plowboys Defeat Ferocious Vikings 11-10 in UBAL Play June 22
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Utah Baseball Academy League action at Jordan June 22, the Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, Defeated the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' 17-under division team 11-10.
With pitcher Tyler Swan allowing no Ferocious Viking to get on base in top of the first, the Plowboys got to enjoy securing the first lead in the bottom of the inning. Singling into left, Tanner Barr soon came home on Swan's two-out single.
Walked by Swan in the top of the second, Riley Erickson soon stole home, setting off a four-run rally for the Ferocious Vikings. All of the Viking runs that inning occurred through steals.
Singling in two runs in the bottom of the second, Augie Anderson sparked a seven-run rally for the Plowboys. They pulled ahead 5-4 on a two-run single hit by Al Fife, a "distant cousin" of TV's Barney Fife.
With Bryce Jones homering off Swan in the third, the Ferocious Vikings made a valiant comeback attempt. Braden Cox's singling Jake Barnhart during the third put Pleasant Grove within 8-6. Tanner Ogden's one-run double improved the Plowboy lead at 9-6, but in the fourth, Viking McKay came home on a Parker Bullock sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 9-7.
In the fourth's bottom half, Morgan "Mo" Gomez stole home, and Tanner doubled in run. Pleasant Grove didn't let the Plowboys make any more runs after the fourth. In the sixth, Erickson's two-run double sparked a three-run rally for Pleasant Grove, but the Ferocious Vikings couldn't catch up with Jordan.
Awesome Cavemen Defeat WJ Pussy Cats 8-3 In UBAL Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Awesome American Fork Cavemen Defeated the West Jordan Jaguars, AKA the Pussy Cats, 8-1 in a 17-under division game during Utah Baseball Academy League action at American Fork June 18.
The Awesome Cavemen held the Pussy Cats scoreless in the first three innings. American Fork got its first run when Ky Clayton singled in Jeremy Reynolds in the bottom of the second. In the top of the fourth, Zach Draper singled in Vigill Cruz to tie the game at one, and the Pussy Cats soon loaded on two outs. Before they could pull ahead, pitcher Clayton grounded out Danny Cruz. West Jordan couldn't score again until the seventh.
In the bottom of the fourth, Danny Beddes tripled in Willis, then stole home. On two outs in the fifth, Nate Andrus, Ursula Andrus' "distant cousin" singled in Alec Shultz, and in the sixth, Zac Haws hit a two-run single to spark a four-run rally that proved to be a life-saver for the Awesome Cavemen.
In the top of the seventh, Cord Briggs tripled into left, and he stole home. After Danny Cruz also stole home on two outs, first baseman Beddes grounded out Keaton Asay to win the game for the Awesome Cavemen.
AF Yankees Defeat PG Yankees 10-6 in Timp Colt League Play June 23
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Timp Colt League action at American Fork's Rotary Park June 23, the American Fork Yankees defeated the Pleasant Grove Yankees 10-3.
American Fork led the entire game. In the top of its first inning, American Fork's Josh Smith and Adam Tate each singled. After Smith stole home, Austin Smith doubled Tate in, and he came home on a Colt Hale single. Hale scored on a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the inning, Pleasant Grove cut the lead to 4-2 on one-run singles hit by Mitch Houston and Glenn Palmer. Suddenly Ashly Shulz hit into a double play that ended the inning.
Getting on base through a second-inning walk, American Forker Carson Buckner scored during a fielder's choice play at second. The third inning saw Hale and Kolton Healey each single in a run for American Fork. With the bases loaded on one out in the bottom of the third, Houston stole home. Pleasant Grove then loaded the bases. However, Shulz and Corby Johnson each struck out.
Getting on base through an fourth-inning error, Dan Ingerson soon stole home, setting off a four-run rally for American Fork, highlighted by Josh Smith's one-run single. In the bottom of the fourth, Hayden Sanderson singled in Hunter Cannon, setting off a four-run rally for Pleasant Grove. With Houston hitting into a double play, the rally soon shut down, ending Pleasant Grove's last real chance for victory.
Awesome AF Cavemen's 16-Under Team Defeat Riverton Silverpups 7-2 June 18
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
In Utah Baseball Academy League action at American Fork June 18, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Riverton Silverwolves 7-2 in a 16-under division game.
American Fork Coach Mark Willis said, "Sean Hardman pitched really good all seven innings. We turned up four double plays that hurt them a lot."
American Fork scored a run in the first inning and another one in the third. During the fourth's top half, the Silverpups scored a run. Kody "Koko" Hall batted in a run for the Awesome Cavemen in the fourth's lower half.
With the Awesome Cavemen holding the Silverpups scoreless in the top of the fifth, the inning's bottom half saw American Fork get one-out singles from Hardman and Milo Abbot.
In the sixth's lower half, Jason Nebekker and Hall each singled into left. The son of former Awesome Cavewoman athlete Ali "Lamb Chop" Searle, Dallin Searle singled in Nebekker to start off a four-run rally. Hardman smacked a two-run single, then came home on an Abott double.
The seventh opened with Mason Harkin singling into left. After Trevor Peterson singled, American Fork sprung its fourth double play. Joe Barlowe singled in Peterson for the game's final run.
