Final Three Weeks of Summer Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

August 2, 2011

Publisher's Message

This week's issue will look at how the Awesome American Fork Cavemen and Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings did in their final three weeks of summer baseball. We will also look at the recent Timp Colt League playoffs. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Jordan Plowboys End Awesome AF Cavemen's Baseball Season

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's summer baseball season ended in a big loss to the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, in a 17-under division Utah Baseball Academy League playoff game on the Cottonwood Colts' Murray diamond July 28. The Plowboys defeated the Awesome Cavemen 18-8.

The game was supposed to have been played at Jordan July 27, but a heavy rainstorm rendered the Plowboys' diamond ungameworthy. So the contest got moved to Cottonwood, where the winner of the Jordan-American Fork duel was to play the Cottonwood Colt, AKA the Ponies.

Singling at the start of the game, Morgan "Mo" Flinders soon came home on a one-out single hit by Jason Reynolds. Tyson Heaps and Brock "Mutton" Lamb soon joined Reynolds on base. Pitcher Tyson Swan struck out Dallin Searle, Brock's cousin.

The Cavemen's 1-0 lead vanished in the bottom of the first. On two outs, Al Fife, a "distant cousin" of TV's Barney Fifle, homered in Chris "Beetle" Bailey and Connor Ogden.

The next inning, Swan walked Tyler Gardner and Jaxon Wilson. On one out, Flinders slugged a single that loaded the bases. Sean Hardman singled in Gardner to set of a seven-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen. During the rally, Searle doubled in three runs on two out, but he got stranded at third.

Tanner Barr's two-run triple clipped the lead to 8-5 in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third, Flinders hit a two-out single into right, but he got tagged at the plate. Swan didn't let the Cavemen make any more hits or runs in the game. It proceeded to go downhill for them in the bottom of the third. Hitting a one-out double, Swan came home on a Tanner McCarthy single that started a seven-run rally. The next inning, Fife doubled in three runs that fueled another seven-run rally for the Plowboys. Finally in the bottom of the sixth, Adam Weeks stole home, giving Jordan the win.

PG 15-Under Team Wins UBAL Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings won the Utah Baseball Academy League 15-under division champion during a five-round tournament that they spent playing at home during the Pioneer Day weekend.

Having a first-round bye, the Vikings took on the Skyline Eagles, AKA the Chirppies, in a July 21 game. Pleasant Grove shot down Skyline 11-1 in five innings. In the top of the first, Chippie Ryan Wiscombe hit a one-run single. It went down as the only time that the Chirppies scored in the game.

The Ferocious Vikings pulled ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the third. In the fourth, Spencer Romney, a distant cousin of Mitt Romney, hit a three-round double that set off a nine-run rally. Homer Simpson's "distant cousin" Peyton Simpson and Luke Kaesmeyer each tripled in a run during the rally.

Pleasant Grove Coach Robert Simpson said, "We struggled in the first three innings before our bats came alive. Spencer Romney gave us three great hits tonight. Jade Smoot kept them off balance with his pitching."

In a quarterfinal game July 22, the Vikings found the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA Silverpups, to be tougher than they were during league play. In the bottom of the sixth of that game, the Silverpups commanded a 10-7 lead over the Ferocious Vikings. Bradyn Cox hit a three-run homer to tie the game at 10, and after hitting a double, Smoot stole home to give Pleasant Grove the win.

In 1 p.m. semifinal July 23, the Ferocious Vikings found themselves pitted against the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, who possessed a rich baseball tradition. The semifinal opened with Picker Kade Cloward singling off pitcher Zac Peterson, a stepson of former Awesome Caveman baseball player Tyler Eastman. Peterson didn't let the single get to him, for he soon grounded out Nick Plaga, a grandson of the late Gene Plaga, who had coached the West Panthers, AKA the Black Kittens, in baseball and football. Pleasant Grove then sprang a double play that left the Miners dizzy.

In the bottom of the first, Brody Blackhurst hit a two-out double which scored Kaesmeyer. Chandler May singled in Logan Bullock in the second inning, improving the lead at 2-0.

After hitting his second single during the third inning, Cloward came home on a Plaga double. Tyler Zupan slugged a single that moved Plaga to third. Gene Plaga's grandson the became stranded on base while he watched Zupan get pinched in a hot box play.

Singling off Peterson on one out in the top of the fourth, Brayden "High" Diddle soon got bagged in a fielder's choice play at third. For the bottom of the fourth, May doubled in Romney, but the Bingham defense kept the Ferocious Vikings from making additional runs that inning.

Even though Plaga and Cody Kitchen each hit a single in the fifth, Pleasant Grove kept the Pickers from making any runs that inning. In the bottom of it, Pleasant Grove loaded the bases on one out. Getting hit by a Zupan pitch, Simpson made a walk that set off a eight-run rally. During it, Peterson hit a two-run single and came home on a Romney triple. May doubled in Romney, then scored on an error. Another Bingham error let Cox make the winning run.

In the championship game against the Bountiful Braves, AKA the Li'l Injuns, the Ferocious Vikings won 11-0.

The Li'l Injuns made five hits in the game. in the top of the first, Ryan Stringfellow and Brayden Muir each singled for Bountiful, but got stranded on base. In the bottom of the first, Blackhurst singled on two outs, and he came home on an error. In the second, Cox singled in May to set off a five-run rally, in which Kaesmeyer hit a two-run triple. The third inning saw Romney triple in Gavin "Grizzly" Bahr and score a run on a May single.

In the top of the fourth, Longfellow and Jake Foster each singled in hopes Bountiful could last beyond the fifth inning. A Pleasant Grove double play helped to ruin those hopes. In the bottom of the fifth, Blackhurst doubled in two runs, then came home on a Simpson single.

In the fifth, Li'l Injun Spencer Vincent singled into left, but he got stranded on base. The game then ended.

Awesome AF Cavemen Drain Lehi Froggies 10-5 in July UBAL Action

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen drained the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 10-5 in a 17-under division game during Utah Baseball Academy League action at Lehi July 11.

The Awesome Cavemen led their arch rivals all the way in the game. The game opened with Awesome Caveman Zac Willis singling into left. On two outs, he soon came home. Teammate Riley Otteson then stole home.

Tyson Webster hit a right-field double in the bottom of the first in hopes of getting the Froggies to flood away the Awesome Cavemen's 2-0 lead. However, American Fork didn't let any more Froggies get on base that inning.

In the top of the second, Morgan "Mo" Flinders singled into center, and on one out, Tyson Heaps doubled him in. Austin "Shagadelic" Tidwell singled Heaps in, then circled around to third base where he watched right fielder Andy Paul intercept an Otteson fly for a third out.

On two outs in the bottom of the second, Froggies Kade Evans and Taylor Nielson each singled into right. Hazden "Purple Haze" Smith struck out before Lehi could make any runs that inning.

A "nephew" of TV's Hank Hill, Cade Hill belted a one-out double to drive in Jake Miles. Hill then stole home. Flinders singled into center, but Lehi nailed him in a fielder's choice play at se second, retiring American Fork to the field.

In the bottom of the third, Trevor Jeppson and Ryan Absher both got on base via walks. A Webster single loaded the bases, and Nolan Padilla singled Jeppson in. After Absher got picked off at third, American Fork staged a double play.

Lehi held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the top of the fourth. The bottom of it opened with M'Kay Driggs doubled into left. A Paul double scored him. After pitcher Danny Beddes had grounded out Cody Webb, an Evans sacrifice groundout scored Paul. Singles from Nielson and Smith caused Beddes to be replaced by Jake Miles. The reliever kept the Froggies from delivering any more slashes to the Cavemen's 6-3 lead in the fourth.

On one out in the top of the fifth, Beddes doubled into left, and a Miles double scored him. During the bottom of the fifth, Webster hit a one-out single into left, and Driggs singled him in. Having been walked by Miles, T.J. Griffith soon stole home, cutting the lead to 7-5.

Hitting an infield single in the top of the sixth, Flinders scored a run as the Froggies sprung a double play on the Awesome Cavemen. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Evans singled into left, but he got entangled in a double play resulting from a capture of a Nielson fly ball.

Doubling at the start of the seventh, Beddes came home on a Sean Hardman double. On one out, Jeremy Reynolds singled in Hardman, a brother of former Awesome Cavewoman volleyball player Jenny "Munchkin" Hardman. Even though Flinders hit a fourth straight single in the seventh, Lehi soon shut American Fork down. In the bottom of the seventh, Miles walked two Froggies, but he quickly undid the damage by picking off Jeppson for a third out.

Awesome Cavemen Rally Back to Defeat Timpview Millionaires 15-13 in Scout League Action July 12

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Scout League action at American Fork July 12, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen rallied back to defeat the Timpview Thunderbirds, AKA the Millionaires, 15-13.

AKA Rich Kid High, Timpview dominated the game for most of the first six innings. The Millionaires took a 4-1 lead over the Awesome Cavemen in the first inning. Timpview then tacked on another two runs in the second. American Fork picked up a run in the third, and the Awesome Cavemen went on a five-run rally in the fourth to pull ahead 7-6.

The Millionaires pulled ahead 9-7 in the fifth, then held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the bottom of the fifth.

In the sixth's top half, Franson Brotherson slugged a double that sparked a four-run rally for the Millionaires. They got singles from Steve Lockhart, Tua Fish Longi, and Gin Wynn. In the bottom of the sixth, Baxter "Zee" Cook doubled in two runs for the Cavemen.

They held the Millionaires scoreless in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of it, Caden Davis hit in a one-out single, and he stole home, stirring up the Cavemen's comeback rally. It saw Jake Laycock triple in Nick Christensen, then come home on a Seth Taylor single. After Taylor came home on a passed ball to tie the game at 13, Jackson Draper hit a one-run single to win the game for the Awesome Cavemen.

American Fork Coach Jeff Thomas said, "We used three pitchers in the game: Seth Taylor, A.J. Jones, and Jackson Draper. Our last pitcher threw strike for us. It took him a while to get a feel for Timpview's hitters. Once he got used to them, he held them scoreless in the final inning."

Cook produced a double and two singles for American Fork. Laycock came up with a double and triple. Davis registered three singles. Kody "Koko" Hall slugged a double and single for American Fork. Timpview got triples from Hurricane McKee and Gin Wynn.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Fremont Silverpups 4-1 in UBAL Action July 13

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

During Utah Baseball Academy League action at American Fork July 13, The Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Fremont Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups, 4-1 in a 17-under division game.

In the top of the first, pitcher Nate Andrus, a "distant cousin" of Hollywood actress Ursula Andrus, struck out Tom Wilson, then caused Brody Rich to ground out to second baseman Sean Hardman. Lloyd Stevens singled off Andrus, but third baseman Ky Clayton grounded out Brandon Borla.

Walked by pitcher Rich in the bottom of the first, Zac Willis got singled in by a Morgan "Mo" Flinders fly ball hit into left. Pitcher Rich didn't let the Awesome Cavemen score again until the fourth, even though he did give up third-inning singles to Tyson Heaps and Austin "Shagadelic" Tidwell.

In the top of the second, Cole "Shep" Shepherd and Ian Dominguez each singled for Fremont, but both Silverpups got stranded on base. Andrus' pitching kept the Silverpups scoreless in the game's first six innings, despite Fremont getting single from Preston Nelly in the fifth and Garrett "Poochie" Gooch in the sixth.

During the fourth's bottom half, Danny Beddes doubled on one out into left, and a Clayton double reeled him in. Sean Hardman singled Clayton in. Awesome Caveman Morgan "Mo" Flinders slugged a sixth-inning into left, and Jeremy Reynolds' one-out single brought him in.

In the top of the seventh, Borla singled into left, and Dominguez batted him in. That RBI caused Andrus to be replaced on the bump by Cade Hill, a "distant cousin" of TV's Hank Hill. Hill struck out Jake Hobbs to end the game.

Awesome Caveman Coach Corey Clayton said, "We made some great defensive plays that kept them scoreless until the last inning. I was pleased at how we executed on slashes and bunts. We ran ourselves out of chances for runs in some innings. Still, I prefer that we error on the side of aggressiveness. We three RBI's made on two outs each."

Pleasant Grove Cardinals Dry Up Lehi Red Sox 20-0 in Timp Colt League Playoff Action July 14

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Timp Colt League playoff action at American Fork's Rotary Park July 14, the Pleasant Grove Cardinals dried up the Lehi Red Sox 20-0.

Lehi didn't have a prayer in the game, because of what happened in the first inning,. Two singles from Wes Alder powered a nine-run rally for the Cardinals. During the rally, Pleasant Grove also got singles from Jesse "Jeb" Smith and Joe Sabado. The rally began with Alder stealing home on out.

Pleasant Grove didn't let the Red Sox make a single hit in the blowout. Only four Lehi players could get on base: Gavin Willis, Eli Lewis, Tyler Richins, and Stayton Gray. Richins and Lewis got on base through walks. Willis got on base via a third-inning error. Gray got beaned by a fourth-inning pitch.

Lehi held Pleasant Grove scoreless in the second. In the third, Alder singled into left, and he came home on a sacrifice fly smacked by Quinton Wilson, a nephew of former Pleasant Grove Viking softball coach Jeff "Donuts" Wilson.

With a fourth-inning error letting Cardinals Jared Miguel and Matt Horseley come home, Pleasant Grove went on a 10-run rally that put the game away.

PG Dodgers 'Beat' AF Cardinals in Colt League Playoff Game July 15

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Pleasant Grove Dodgers "defeated" the American Fork Cardinals in a Timp Colt League playoff game at American Fork's Rotary Park July 15.

Pleasant Grove forfeited the game, because it had only six players show up. In fact, the Dodgers borrowed to Timpanogos Timberpup players for the contest.

Even though the Cubs got singles from Jay Whitaker and Jake Esklesen in the third, they couldn't make any runs in the game, which lasted three innings.

In the bottom of the first, Hayden Wynn singled in D.J. "Mr. Hollywood" Argyle, and Cody Clairburn doubled in another two runners. The Dodgers went on a four-run rally in the second.

In the third, Pleasant Grove clubbed the Cubs with a double play, and in the bottom of the bottom of the inning, Riley Smith scored a run as American Fork turned up a double play. The game got called after the third.

Even though the Cubs did go on to qualify for a berth in the championship game, they forfeited it, because of various distractions.

PG 17-Under Team Lose at Home to Layton Stickers

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Utah Baseball Academy League action at Viking Field July 18, the Layton Lancers' 17-under division team defeated the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings 9-8.

AKA the Stickers, the Lancers made a run in the top of the first. Pleasant Grove answered with a four-run rally in the bottom of the first.

A lightning storm prolonged the second inning's top half for 45 minutes. When play renewed, Weston "Senor" Hyde singled in Jaden Trujillo. Shortstop Braden King grounded out Frankie "Flies to Hollywood" Aguilar to keep the Stickers at bay.

Kaleb Harpo's pitching held the Ferocious Vikings scoreless in the second and third innings, making those rounds the game's turning points. In the top of the third, a Logan Greenhalgh single loaded the bases on two outs. Greenhalgh soon stole home, setting off a six-run rally, which saw singles hit by Cody Moss, Quintin Marcelliln, and Dexter Piaz.

Singles from Braden King and Jake Barnhart gave the Ferocious Vikings hope for coming back in the bottom of the third, but shortstop Aguilar turned up a double play that ended the inning.

Moss' fourth-inning sacrifice fly scored Marcellin. The Ferocious Vikings didn't let Layton make any more runs after that. In the bottom of the fourth, McKay Lewis doubled into right, and he soon stole home. Walked by Harpo, Parker Bullock scored on an error.

In the fifth's lower half, Easton Walker singled into left, but got stuck on base. The next inning, Rylan Peterson doubled in Micah Merrell and Zac "Fighting Chicken" Hicken to cut the lead to 9-8, but Layton kept the Vikings from catching up with them.

PG Vikings' 16-Under Team Grounds Skyline Chirppies 11-1 in UBAL Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a first-round game of the Utah Baseball Academy League's 16-under division playoffs July 21, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings grounded the Skyline Eages, AKA the Chirppies, 11-1 at Viking Field.

Ferocious Viking Coach Heath Stevenson said, "We had great pitching from three guys we had put on the mound tonight: Bryce Jones, Colson Rich, and Chandler Bice. We had some great hits, especially in the first inning."

During the top of the first, Jones grounded out Jake Van Ammin. With third baseman Aiden Newanswander grounding out Anj Birrgeos, Jones K'd Ryan Clark, keeping the Chirppies from putting any runners on base.

Singling into right at the start of the first's bottom half, Bradyn Cox tried scoring on a Ty Stevenson single, but catcher Jake Debecki tagged him at the plate. With Jones doubling Stevenson, a McKay Lewis single moved him to third. Aiden Newanswander doubled them in.

Second baseman Lewis grounded out Griffiin "Griffy" Clayton and Abe Yaggi at the start of the second inning. Sam Ericson singled off Jones, and Danny Stevens soon joined his fellow Chirppie on base through a walk. Before Ericson could score a run, Lewis tagged Stevens in a fielders' choice play.

In the bottom of the third, Ty Stevenson slugged a hit that should have been a triple, but he got called out, because he did not touch first base. In spite of that setback, Pleasant Grove still loaded the bases, and they scored two runs on a walk and an error.

Singling at the top of the fourth, Birrgeos came home on a Clark double. It turned out to be the only Chirppie run for the night. For the rest of the game, Rich and Bice didn't let the Chirppies make any more hits.

In the bottom of the fourth, Easton Walker hit a single to third, and Cox triple brought him home. Cox scored on a Stevenson sacrifice fly. The next inning, Brody Blackhurst singled in Jameo Carr, who had doubled. The Chirppies pinched Blackhurst in a hot box play near second. Pitcher Jake Van Ammin struck out Peyton Simpson, a "distant cousin" of TV's Lisa Simpson. In response, Luke Kaesmeyer doubled off Van Ammiin, only to see Easton Walker ground out to shorstop Clayton.

After they had clobbered Skyline with a double play in the sixth, the Ferocious Vikings finally terminated the Chirppies in the bottom of the inning. Help from a Cox infield single enabled Stevenson to whack a one-run single that set off the game-ending, three-run rally. During it, Lewis doubled in Stevenson, and Newanswander batted in Jones for the winning run.

PG Reds Win Timp Colt League Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Pleasant Grove Reds won the Timp Colt League Tournament last week. They were supposed to have played the American Fork Cubs for the championship at Pleasant Grove's Discovery Park July 21. The Cubs forfeited the game, however.

Showing up for the forfeited contest, the Reds received their awards for taking the tournament by default.

Red Coach Eric Jensen said, "In the two games we played at Discovery last night [July 20], we defeated the PG Cardinals 11-4 and Herriman 5-4. In the game against the Cardinals, the score was tied at 4-4 in the fifth when we made seven runs. In the Herriman game, we had Jesse De St. Jour and Cade Wilkes pitch. Cade hit a two-run triple that tied the game at four, and then he raced home for the winning run."

During tournament action at American Fork's Rotary Park July 19, the Cardinals defeated the Pleasant Grove Dodgers 12-5 and the Reds erased the American Fork Yankees 20-8.

A Bronson Carter double and Jesse "Jeb" Smith triple spurred the Cardinals on to take a 7-0 lead over the Dodgers in the first inning's top half. In the bottom of it, Bronson Lewis and Sam Norton each scored a run for the Dodgers..

In the third, the Cardinals improved their lead at 10-2 during a three-run rally. In the bottom of the third, Lewis singled in one run on two outs. Dave Stevens homered him in to cut the lead to 10-5. In the fourth inning, Brendan Ivie and Smith each tripled in a run for the Cardinals, who held the Dodgers scoreless for the rest of the game.

In the other July 19 game, singles from Jared "J-Dog" Jensen and Tee Hatch spurred the Reds into taking a 5-0 lead over the American Fork Yankees in the top of the first. In the bottom of it, Colton Hale hit a one-out single, but the Reds kept American Fork from gaining anything from it.

With the Reds held scoreless in the top of the second, Yankee Todd Healey tripled into left during the inning's lower half. Adam Tate singled him in, but got forced out at second.

In the third, Connor Albrecht came home on a Hatch single. Doubling into left in the bottom third, Braxton Jex came home on a Healey triple that set off a five-run rally, which evened the game at six.

De St. Jour scored a tie-breaking run on a Taylor Allred sacrifice groundout in the fourth, and Albrecht singled in a run to improve the lead at 8-6.

In the bottom of the fourth, Carson Buckner singled in Tate, who had doubled into left. Buckner then came home on a Hale to single tying the game at eight. American Fork soon loaded the base, and Healey came up to bat. American Forkers anticipated that he would knock in the winning run. However, he struck out, and the game's outcome was not decided until the seventh.

"That inning, we scored 12 runs," Eric Jensen said. "Everybody on the team got a hit that inning."

Awesome Cavemen Defeat Layton Stickers in 17-Under Division Game July 22

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a 17-under division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League July 22, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Layton Lancers, AKA the Stickers, 13-6.

Cranking out eight hits in the top of the first, the Stickers took a 5-0 lead. It should have demoralized the Awesome Cavemen, but it did not. They proved in the bottom of the inning that they, too, could go on long scoring rallies. During the first's lower half Danny Beddes hit a knocked in three runs through hitting two doubles to spark American Fork's thrilling comeback. Miles doubled Beddes in, then came home on a Jeremy Reynolds double. By the time Layton had finally shut down the rally, the Awesome Cavemen commanded a 9-5 lead.

"For us to score nine runs after being down 0-5 shows what we're capable of doing," said Awesome Caveman Coach Jared "The Prankster" Ingersoll.

Pitcher Beddes held Layton scoreless during the next three innings. Ingersoll said, "I challenged him to be a fighter. He had a six-pitch inning in the sixth."

When American Fork loaded the bases on two outs in the second, Alece "Sargent" Shultz singled in Reynolds. Layton held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the third, but in the fourth, they loaded the bases on singles from Reynolds, Schultz, and Sean Hardman. A Skyler Mounteer sacrifice fly scored Reynolds, setting off a three-run rally. In spite of a sixth-inning single hit by Morgan "Mo" Flinders, the Awesome Cavemen couldn't make any more runs after fourth.

In the top of the fifth, Logan Greenhalgh doubled in Corby Phelts, and he then got stranded on base. American Fork held Layton scoreless after that inning.

PG 16-Under Team Defeats Awesome Cavemen 3-0 in 2nd Round Action of UBAL Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings sunk the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under division team 3-0 in UBAL playoff action at American Fork July 23.

The game was a second-round contest. Being a higher-seeded team, American Fork had a second-round bye, and with the Awesome Cavemen coming into the tournament with a strong record, they stood a good chance of reaching the title game for a second time in two years. The Ferocious Vikings brought with them into the game memories of the terrible beating that American Fork had administered to them in a doubleheader last summer. So Pleasant Grove was anxious to settle the score with the Awesome Cavemen.

In the top of the first, pitcher Sean Hardman walked Rylan Peterson. Moved into scoring position by a Ty Stevenson single, Peterson came home on a Luke Kaesmeyer sacrifice fly.

While American Fork held Pleasant Grove scoreless during the next three innings, Viking pitcher Aiden Newanswander held the Cavemen hitless until the fourth. Viking Coach Heath Stevenson said, "Aiden Newanswander threw a lot of strikes, keeping them from making a lot of hits."

The second inning opened with Hardman striking out Jameo Carr. After Peyton SImpson, a "distant cousin" of the famous Homer Simpson, got on base through an error, American Fork pulled off a double play.

In the bottom of the second, Milo Abbott reach first on an error there. After Koy Dibb flew out to second baseman Gavin "Grizzly" Bahr, Abbott tried stealing second. Catcher Peterson connected a throw to Bahr to put the Awesome Caveman out. Another setback beset American Fork when Alec "Sargent" Schultz hit into a double play that ended the bottom of the third.

Newanswander singled on one out in the top of the fourth, but he got stranded on base.

In the bottom of the fourth, Hardman singled into left, and he soon stole second. Newanswander walked Zac Willis, and Abbott made a sacrifice bunt to move the two Awesome Cavemen into scoring position,. Suddenly third baseman Simpson grounded out Dibb, and Skyler Mounteer struck out.

Hitting a one-out double in the fifth, McKay Lewis came home on Stevenson double. The next inning, Newanswander singled into left, and Jameo Carr tripled him. In retaliation, the Cavemen produced a double play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hardman and Willis each hit a one-out single. Newanswnader kept them stuck on base through his retiring Abbott and Dibb. American Fork allowed no Ferocious Vikings on base in the top of the seventh. That kept American Fork's season hopes alive. In the bottom of the seventh, Mounteer and Austin Pitcher each singled into right. After Jason Nebekker struck out, Pitcher got nailed in a fielder's choice play at second. Teammate Kyle Poulson, ending the Cavemen's season.

The Ferocious Vikings' season ended on July 27 when the West Jordan Jaguars, AKA the Pussy Cats, defeated them 5-1 in a third-round game at West Jordan.

Ferocious Vikings Beat Davis and Cottonwood, but Lost to Bingham in 17-Under Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings lasted three games in the Utah Baseball Academy League's state tournament for the 17-under division teams. Pleasant Grove destroyed the Davis Darts, AKA the Tarts, 14-1 in a first-round game at American Fork July 28, and the Ferocious Vikings outlasted the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, 7-5 in a July 29 game at Cottonwood. However, in the semifinals, played in Spanish Fork, July 30, the Bingham Miners caved them in 13-3.

Viking Coach Darren Henry said, "We were supposed to play Davis at our place, but an underground water pipe exploded on our playing field around 3:45 a.m. Thursday. So the game got moved to American Fork. We scored 10 runs in the third inning to put the game away early."

Having eliminated the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, the July 28, the Ponies gave the Ferocious Vikings a good scare in the first two innings. In the top of the first, Bradyn Cox singled into right, but he soon got thrown out at home plate during a fielder's choice play.

A son for former Ferocious Viking baseball player Brian Hangsen, Ely Hangsen singled into right, then scored on an error that let teammate Marty "Chag" Chagovich get on base. Tyler West doubled in Chag.

Cottonwood enjoyed its 2-0 until the top of the third. Despite a McKay Lewis double in the top of the second, Pleasant Grove continued looking at possible end of its season until Kyler Harmon singled in Zac "Fighting Chicken" Hicken and Braden King in the third inning. Harmon's tying single kept the Vikings' morale high as they held the Ponies scoreless in the third and fourth innings.

Singles from Peyton Simpson and Bradyn Cox set the stage for the game's turning point in the fourth. Hicken doubled in Simpson. King hit a two-run single, and Harmon homered him in.

In the bottom of the fifth, an error let Jeff Barton reach first base. Skyler Sylvester singled him in, then moved into scoring position on a Hangsen single. Hangsen tried turning his hit into a single, but an umpire called him out interference. Mark Salorio singled Sylvester in, and pitcher Harmon struck out Jake Atkinson to prevent a Pony rally.

The Ferocious Vikings couldn't put any runners on base in the top of the sixth. With West singling off Harmon in the sixth, Pleasant Grove had Sage Peacock take over at the mound. The pitching change didn't stop West from scoring on an error in right field. Barton singled into left, and he soon got thrown out at home during double play. Barton's collision with catcher Parker Bullock almost caused a brawl between the two teams. The umpires and coaches kept the Ferocious Vikings and Ponies from going at each other's throats.

Despite singles from Jake Barnhart and Braden King, Pleasant Grove couldn't pick up any runs in the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, Peacock struck out Dave "D-Will" Williams and caused Hangsen to ground out to third baseman King. After the pitcher walked Chag, he struck out Salorio.

Coach Henry said, "We pitched lots of strikes today. This game showed that we don't back down, and we can compete with anybody."

Played at Spanish Fork's Russ Swensen Park, the semifinal game against Bingham did not turn out to be a rerun of the semifinal that the Pickers' 15-under team had lost to Pleasant Grove the week before. Now after holding the Vikings scoreless in the top of the first of the July 30 game, the Pickers loaded the bases on no outs in the bottom of the inning. Riley Hansen doubled in three runs.

Pleasant Grove caught up with the Pickers the next inning. After it started with a Jake Barnhart double, Parker Bullock hit a two-run double, and Cox singled him in to tie the game. In the bottom of the second, Parker Green slugged a one-run single to break the 3-3 tie and set off a four-run rally that caused pitcher Peacock to be yanked from the mound.

In the third, King singled into right, and Bingham kept him stuck on base. During the third's bottom half, the Pickers picked up two runs on two passed balls. With Hansen's one-run double starting a three-run rally for the Pickers in the fourth, the Vikings' state title hopes stood little chance of serving, in spite of a Luke Kaesmeyer single hit during the top of the inning.

P.J. Gaugh single resulted in Bingham loading the bases on out in the bottom of the fifth. With the score now reading 12-3, the Vikings prayed that the occurrence of something small would doom them. Something tiny did, though. It was a passed ball that allowed Daxton Dabauche to come home for the winning run.

Henry said, "We learned this summer that we can beat any team. Bingham was the only team from our new region that we lost to this summer. Now that we've played them, we'll know how to deal with them when we play them again this spring."