Lehi-Maple Mountain Game and the 2012 AF Grass Relays

Timp Sports Weekly

August 28, 2012

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the overtime football thriller played between the Lehi Pioneers (AKA the Froggies) and Maple Mountain Golden Eagles (AKA the Golden Chirppies) and the 2012 American Fork Grass Relays. As they say in Lehi, let's hop into the reports of those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Eagle Mountain Chirppies Defeat Lehi Froggies 23-16 in Overtime Aug. 24

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publish

The Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies,  came so close to croaking about winning at home against the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles, AKA the Golden Chirppies, in a non-league football game played Aug. 24. The drama of the game was quite riveting -- correction, ribbiting. However, the Froggies couldn't maintain their domination of the contest, and the Golden Chirppies came from behind to win 23-16 in overtime.

During the first quarter, the Golden Chirppies' quarterback, K.J. "Hard Ball" Hall used tailback C.J. Hildebrand as his go-to guy. That Golden Chirppie accumulated a lot of yardage in the first quarter, however, Hilldebrand couldn't score any touchdowns for Maple Mountain in the first quarter.

When the Froggies stopped him at the Golden Chirppie 23-yard line on a fourth-down play in the first quarter, they looked as though they would soon hop onto the scoreboard. However, after Froggie running back Folo Ulukivoaiola carried the ball into the Maple Mountain 20-yard zone, Lehi fumbled away the ball on the Golden Chirppie 5-yard line.

From there, the Golden Chirppies marched clear to the Froggie 1-yard line, where Lehi's defense stopped them cold on a fourth-down play at the start of the second quarter.

Beginning a long march from their own 1-yard line, the Froggies had Ryan Absher, Derek Hastings, and Ulukivoaiola teach take turns at running the ball. A facemasking penalty called against the Golden Chirppies put the Froggies at the Maple Mountain 2-yard line. Taking a handoff from quarterback Derek "Tree Frog" Greenwood, Hasting barged his way through a wall of Golden Chirppies to score the game's first touchdown during 3:37. Ulukivoaiola scored a two-point conversion right afterwards.

Maple Mountain delivered a slash to the Froggies' 8-0 lead. After the Golden Chirppies had squelched another Lehi march, Hall passed 40 yards to wide receiver Connor Ellis in the first half's conlcuding two minutes. A stiff Froggie defense compelled Eagle Mountain to gamble on a field goal attempt. They had ninth-grader Tanner Dayton kick a field goal one second before halftime.

Sticking to the ground in the second half's opening minutes, the Froggies gobbled up much time as they had Ulukivoaiola, Absher, and Hastings do much of the rushing for them. Once again, they reached the Golden Chrippie 6-yard line. Ulukivoaiola scored both a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Lehi seemed destined to hop away with a home win. However, the Golden Chirppie defense tightened and held Lehi scoreless through the rest of the game.

Whereas Hilldebrand had been rendered practically ineffective by the Froggie defense, Golden Chirppie running back Channing Merrill turned out to be fatal to Lehi. In the fourth quarter, he scored on a touchdown on a 38-yard pass from Hall. After a Dayton kicked had tied the game at 16, Maple Mountain's defense squelched a Froggie march just outside the 20-yard zone. That achievement forced the game into overtime. Merrill scored the tie-breaking touchdown.

Awesome AF Cavemen Win Boys' Division at AF Grass Relays Aug. 25
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen won the varsity boys' division at the American Fork Grass Relays Aug. 25.

The achievement marked the third straight year that American Fork had won the varsity boys' portion of the relay. The members of the Cavemen's relay team included Tyson Green, Caleb Thompson, Zach Jacklin, Brayden McLelland, and Connor McMillan.

McMillian said, "Brayden was the one who got us out in front. Until he received the baton, we were in third place. He poured it on and got us our first-place position.

The Awesome Cavewomen took fourth in the varsity girls' division, which Davis won. The members of the American Fork varsity girls' relay team included Emily Orton, Sophie Baird, Diane Leach, Makayla Stepp, and Maddie Beach.

American Fork Coach Bruno Hunziker said, "Our girls ran faster today than they did the year that they won state. We have no seniors on the team. Makayala was a big help for us today. This is the first year she is running cross country, and she's been our No. 1 runner."

Stepp and Orton both made the Top 15 list of the meet's fastest varsity girl relay runners. Stepp finished eighth and Orton 15th.

All five of the Awesome Caveman ' relay runners made it in the Top 15 of the varsity boys' division. McMillan took second, McClleland eight, Jacklin ninth, Thompton 10th, and Green 15th.

American Fork boys' coach Timo Mostert said, "Our goal is to win both region and state. State competition keeps getting tougher for us, because everybody is gunning for us. We got to be ready to respond to the other schools' efforts to knock us off. Even though we're still nationally ranked, we got to keep working hard to keep our title.

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings and Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, also competed at the Grass Relays.

The members of the Ferocious Viking girls' relay team included Taryn Whetton, Brittney McArthur, Rachel Davis, Valerie Evans, and Nicole Taylor. The member of the boys' varsity relay team included Mike Hodsen, Adam Hodsen, Tanner Nielson, and Tanner Beckstrand.

The members of the Loner girls' varsity relay team included Amanda Southward, Amanda Harvey, Melissa Reid, and Jessica Smith.  The members of the Loners' varsity boys' team included Marc Petersen, Adam Goff, Jon Cahoon, Justin Couts, and Tommy Johnson.

Amanda Harvey represented the Loners among the Top 15 of the fastest varsity girls' relay runners.

In the jayvee races for the 9th-10th grade divisions, Awesome Cavewoman Lexridge Green and Stephen Robbins took first respectively in the girls and boys' division. The 9th-10th grade girls' division   saw Awsome Caaveomen Katie Cornell take third while in the 9th-10th grade boys' division, Awesome Cavemen Jacob Chase took second and Ashton Jensen sixth. In the jayvee boys' 11th-12th grade race, American Fork had three runners finish in the Top 10. Among them, Spencer Herzog took third, Hunter Wilson fourth, and Benson Gunther 10th.

High School Girlls' Preseason Soccer

Timp Sports Weekly

August 22, 2012

Publisher's Message

With the arrival of August comes the commencement of the high school girls' soccer action. This particular issue looks at two weeks' worth of action in preseason games involving the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen, the Lone Peak Knights (AKA the Loners), the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings, and the Lehi Pioneers (AKA the Froggies). As they say in soccer, let's kick this issue into action.

Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lone Peak Loners Open Soccer Season with 1-0 Win on Orem Tiggers' Field Aug. 7

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

AKA the Loners, the Lone Peak Knights opened their girls' soccer season with a 1-0 on the hunting grounds of the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers, Aug. 7.

The exhibition opener marked Heather Dahle's second season as the Loners' head coach. She had taken over the program after her predecessor Mike LaHargoue had gotten fired over a scandal related to the Loners' baseball program over which he had also been the head coach. Prior to her time with the Loners, she had been head women's soccer coach for the Dixie State College Red Storm, AKA the Partyin' Red Storm.

Under her direction in the Aug. 7 game, her Loners pretty much kept the Tiggers in check during both halves of the game. Dahle said, "Our possession of the ball was really good. We created lots of opportunities to score. However, we were unable to finish all but one of them. We'll be working on those opportunities through the next few weeks. Our defense was outstanding. We allowed them to take only two shots on goals. The rest of their attempts to score came on set pieces."

By the way most of the first half went, the game looked as though it might end in a scoreless tie. The contest unfolded with Loners Natalie Lewis and Catie Ritchie leading deep drives into Tigger territory. Full of bounce as usual, the Tiggers put up a stiff show of defense. Guided by Skotie Houle. Emilie Welder, and Kenzie Gomer, they frustrated Lone Peak efforts to find good sites for possible shots. Also, Tigger goal Kenzie Christensen had much spring in her quickness as she intercepted shot after shot kicked by Loners like Jessica Smith and Justina Jarema.

Christensen's long streak of good luck at the goal line bounced away in the first half's final two minutes. Dribbling the ball into the Tigger penalty box during a breakaway play, Smith booted the ball into the goal net. As the Loners celebrated, the Tiggers showed on their faces a strong determination to bounce back to tie the game at one before halftime.

Loner goalie Sara Boley wouldn't let them get their wish. She picked off two shots during the closing two minutes. The Loner goalie continued keeping the Tiggers from making any goals in the second half, despite great offensive efforts led by Tiggers Natalie Smart, Tanyail Wilson, and Sam Reeves. Steals by Jarema, Maddie Wunderli, and Caitlin Wrubell enabled the Loners to spend most of the second half on the Tigger end of the field.

Awesome AF Cavewomen Post 11-0 Shutout Win Against Granger Stickers in Aug. 9 Game

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavewomen opened their home season with an 11-0 win against the Granger Lancers, AKA the Stickers, Aug. 9.

The shutout was a followup to a 5-1 win that they had posted in a road game against the West High Panthers, AKA the Black Kittens, Aug. 7.

The Aug. 9 showdown between American Fork and Granger pretty revealed how way different the two teams' communities were from each other. The team that American Fork fielded in that game comprised entirely of White Native American girls. The Granger team consisted of Hispanics, Polynesians, Bosnian imigrants, and White Native Americans. These contrasts made the action on the field interesting to watch.

American Fork demonstrated from the start that it had high experienced players. Granger, on the other hand, showed it had players quite young in soccer-playing experience. American Fork showed the Stickers what they would need to work on in order to become competitive by the opening of league play.

Awesome Cavewomen Kierstie Newman, Aurora Mobley, Lakin Flinders, and Lizzie Newman frequently stole the ball and lead deep attacks into the Stickers' territory. Taking an assist from Hannah George, Lizzie Newman scored the game's first goal. It became the first of eight swift, hard blows that put the  Stickers in danger of becoming toast 10 minutes into the second half.

Stickers like Vilma Garcia, Casandra Diaz, and Cinali Talaveria attempted to stir up offensive efforts for Granger. However, no Sticker could get the ball past Awesome Cavewoman goalie Kenzie Jorgensen.

When the first half ended with an 8-0 for the Awesome Cavewomen, the Stickers knew they would be granted only 10 minutes in the next period to score at least one goal to keep the game going. However, in the second half, American Fork let Granger spend very little time on the Awesome Cavewoman side of the field. Furthermore, Jorgensen didn't let any shots get past her in the half. In the 10-minute second half, the Awesome Cavewomen scored another three goals.

Emily Houston led American Fork with two goals. American Fork's other nine goals were made by Mobley, Flinders, Marrissa Bailey, Alicia Robinson, Tammy Wagstaff, Chelsea Orton, Kenzie Walker, and Audry Searle, a daughter of former Awesome Cavewoman soccer player Ali "Lamb Chop" Searle.

American Fork Coach Margie Stringam said, "My girls were really aggressive today. They all wanted to score. Ten of them did do that. At the West game, we scored all five of our goals in the first half. We ran out of gas in the second half, and we missed easy scoring opportunities. That was why West scored their two goals.

Ferocious PG Vikings Win 25-1 on Nesting Grounds of Salem Hills Sky Tweeties Aug. 10

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings won 5-1 on the nesting grounds of the Salem Hills Sky Hawks, AKA the Sky Tweeties, in non-league girls' soccer action Aug. 10.

After having opened their season with a 2-1 win at home against the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles, AKA the Chirppies, Aug. 9, the Ferocious Vikings rowed down to Salem Hills to do battle with the Sky Tweeties. Plesaant Grove found Salem Hills in the first half to be as tough as the Sky Tweeties' arch rival, Maple Mountain, based in nearby Spanish Fork, AKA Gaytown because of it being such a joyful place to live.

Sky Tweeties Lexi Van Tassell, Kenzie Cowden, and Madisyn Koagines kept much pressure on the Ferocious Viking Center as they tried repeatedly to sneak the ball past PG goalie Kenedii Williams. She held them scoreless long enough for the Ferocious Vikings to make two goals first. Taylor Kirk scored the first Pleasant Grove goal on a breakaway play. Kris Reynolds scored the next goal on a penalty kick.

Salem Hills dealt a nasty slash to the Ferocious Vikings' lead shortly before halftime. Seconds before the referee blew hard on his whistle twice, Sky Tweetie Miranda Martin scored a goal.

In the second half, both teams spent equal amounts of time on the other's end of the field. For a spell, Salem Hills looked as though it would indeed tie the game at two. However, Ferocious Viking Megan Ann Call erased that possible scenario by scoring a goal. Kirk scored the fourth PG goal a few minutes later. Shortly before the game's end, Naomi Anderson booted in the fifth goal to put the game away for the Ferocious Vikings.

Pleasant Grove Coach Caitlyn Young said, "They [PG] stepped up, and they did what we asked them to do. They possessed the ball better in the second half than they in the first half. In the Maple Mountain game, Lucy Borland and Ashley McBee scored our two goals."

Pleasant Grove posted two wins on the road the following week. The Ferocious Vikings won 2-0 on the Murray Spartanettes' home field Aug. 16, and on Aug. 17, Pleasant Grove shut out the Pine View Panthers, AKA the Kittens, 1-0.

Ferocious PG Vikings Collar Hillcrest Puppies 2-0 in Aug. 11 Non-League Soccer Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings collared the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies, 2-0 in a non-league game played at Pleasant Grove Aug. 11.

The win marked the first time that Pleasant Grove had posted a 3-0 record in girls' soccer play in recent memory. The game also served notice that the Ferocious Vikings might not turn out to be a Region Four door mat for league powerhouses such as the Lone Peak Knights (AKA the Loners), Bingham Miners (AKA the Pickers), and Riverton Silverwolves (AKA the Silverpups).

The Puppy-Ferocious Viking game was supposed to have been played on the home field of the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA the T-Pups. However, because field had to be watered on the morning  of Aug. 11, the game got switched back to Pleasant Grove.

The Puppies and Ferocious Vikings had to play in temperatures 90 degrees and higher. That circumstance necessitated both halves to have interruptions, so that the players on both teams could be guzzle down lots of water.

Throughout the first half, neither Hillcrest nor Pleasant Grove could score a goal. The scoring dry spell proved especially frustrating for Puppies Taryn Pritchett, Rilee Miller, Torrey Wyatt, and Halah "Genghis" Khan who led deep drives into the Ferocious Vikings' territory. Ferocious Viking goalie Alicia Daniels skippered an amazingly strong Pleasant Grove defense, strongly supported by Ashley McBee and Taylor Kirk.

The scoreless deadlock continued until midway through the second period McBee scored on a 20-yard kick. Pritchett tried tying the score at one several minutes later when she booted a shot from barely outside the top of the Ferocious Viking penalty box. A group of Ferocious Vikings blocked the shot. The Puppies never got another chance to tie the game at one. Shortly before the game's final whistle, Kirk kicked in a goal to put the game's final score at 2-0.

Ferocious Viking Coach Caitlyn Young said, "The girls were quite motivated to play against Hillcrest. Hillcrest's players were quite physically aggressive. So we had to be more aggressive ourselves for the ball. We moved it quite quickly in the second half. Our win today leaves us with a 3-0 record, a first for Pleasant Grove girls' soccer in a long time."

Murray Spartanettes Defeat Awesome AF Cavewomen 2-1 in Double OT Aug. 14
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavewomen suffered their first loss of the girls' soccer during non-league play at American Fork Aug. 14. AKA the Spartanettes, the Murray Spartans marched into town that day and defeated the Awesome Cavewomen 2-1 in overtime action.

American Fork Coach Margie Stringam said, "We let go of the simple rules of soccer in the second half. That's why they wore us down in that half. Our goalie, Kenzi Jorgensen, had some great saves in the second half.  She didn't touch the ball at all in the first half, because we kept the ball on Hillcrest's half of the field most of the time."

The last time that the two teams met, they battled to a scoreless tie on a field at Murray Park in August 2011. By the way the Aug. 14 game's first half went, the Awesome Cavewomen and Spartanettes looked as though they would finished their rematch in a second straight scoreless tie.

The daughter of former Awesome Cavewoman soccer player Ali "Lamb Chop" Searle, Audrey Searle pooled her talents together with those of teammates Kora Jewell, Kierstie Newman, and Alicia Robinson in keeping American Fork on Murray's side of the field for much of the game. However, the Awesome Cavemen found out that the Spartanettes weren't going to be patsies like the West High Black Kittens and Granger Stickers. Spartanette Vicky Riches, for one, frequently stole the ball from Awesome Cavewoman Marissa Bailey.

Though the game's first half ended in a scoreless draw, fans did get to see scoring occur in the next period. In the second half's early minutes, American Fork prevented Murray's Tara Furlong from scoring on an indirect kick. The Awesome Cavewomen then took control of the ball, and they took turns at dribbling down into the Spartanette penalty box. Robinson scored the game's first goal.

The Cavewomen enjoyed their 1-0 lead until they drew a foul in their penalty box. Furlong tied the game at one. American Fork made strong efforts to break the tie before end of regulation play. American Fork's Kelsi Shuler kicked a shot into the Spartanette goal net, but the goal got canceled out by a handball violation called against the Awesome Cavewomen. The cancellation of Shuler's successful shot sent the game into overtime.

Neither team could score in the first overtime. Two minutes into the second overtime, Vicky Riches scored a goal on a breakaway play.

Lehi Froggies Win 2-1 at Home Against Logan Baby Mama Grizzlies Aug. 17
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

After getting dried up 5-1 in a road game on the field of the Herriman Mustangs, AKA the Pretty Little Ponies, Aug. 14, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, won 2-1 at home against the Logan Grizzlies, AKA the Baby Mama Grizzlies, in non-league girls' soccer action Aug. 17.

Lehi Coach Brett Bergholm said, "Logan is always tough. Last year, we had to beat them in overtime. Playing on grass this year was a challenge for them. They usually play on Astroturf in their home games. In going against Logan today, we played much better than we did at Herrimann. We weren't as fired up in the Herrimann as we were in this one. We provided ourselves with a lot more scoring opportunities. When Logan scored first, we didn't throw our hands up and quit. We became more aggressive out on the field. That paid off through the two goals that we made."

The Froggies had much difficulty against Baby Mama Grizzly Tawni Smith. She carried out a string of breakaway plays that were quite alarming to Lehi fans. Froggie defensive player Justine Burningham did her share of keeping Smith from racking up goals. Smith still managed to get a shot into the Froggie goal net. Ten minutes into the game, Smith dribbled within 25 yards  of the penalty box and kicked in a shot before goalie Julie Gibson could reach her.

The Baby Mama Grizzlies enjoyed their 1-0 lead until Froggie Abbie Foster  scored on a corner kick booted by Jadedee Slaugh during 30:12.

A long goal-keeping duel ensued between Gibson and Baby Mama Grizzly Emily Davis. Both goalies kept shots from flying past them -- until late in the second half. Midway through the final period, Slaugh received a corner kick and scored a goal.

Led by Smith, Becca Godfrey, and Macayle Daniels guided the Baby Mama Grizzlies in keeping the ball on Lehi's side of the field for much of the game's final 20 minutes. Katie Clark, Kierra Jackman, Maddy Kauffman, and Megan Kauffman registered kicks that would send the Froggies dribbling the ball deep into Logan's territory. However, after Slaugh's goal, the Froggies couldn't make any more goals. Still, their defense proved to be strong enough for them to hop out of the game with a 2-1 win.

Viking Summer Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

August 6, 2012

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at recent summer baseball games played by the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings and the Vicious Viewmont Vikings. We will also look three summer state tournament baseball games involving the Awesome American Fork Cavemen, and we will have two accounts about Pleasant Grove taking state in the Utah Baseball Academy League's 15-under and 16-under divisions. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

Ferocious PG Vikings' 17-Under Division Team Sinks Vicious Viewmont Vikings 4-1 July 20

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Utah Baseball Academy League finale for the 17-under division July 20, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Vicious Viewmont Vikings 4-1.

Pleasant Grove Coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry said, "We had great pitching and defensive play. We didn't make a single error in the game. Brayden King came up with a two-run double that broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning, enabling us to pull out this tight game."

The game's first three innings went down as a scoreless deadlock. In posting seven strikeouts during the course of the game, Pleasant Grove's Aiden "Newey" Neuenswander didn't let the Vicious Vikings put any runners on base during the first three rounds.

Pleasant Grove, on the other hand, did put runners on base during the first three innings. Easton Walker, for one, doubled a fly ball into center during two outs. Before he could come home, however, he saw King pop out to catcher Nick Pierce. Ferocious Viking Brody Blackhurst singled off pitcher Brendon Jensen on one out in the bottom of the second. Viewmont kept Blackhurst chained on base. 

The scoreless deadlock finally ended in the top of the fourth. That inning opened with Vicious Viking Hunter Roybal doubling off Neuenswander. Advanced to third by Nate Remmington's right-field single, Roybal came home as the Ferocious Vikings pulled off a successful fielder's choice play at second. The Vicious Vikings' 1-0 lead didn't survive the bottom of the fourth. In that inning's lower half, Walker got on base through a walk. Moved into scoring position by King's right-field single, Walker scored a tying run as Viewmont staged a double play.

The Vicious Vikings counted on Travis Henderson and Josh Ritchie's fifth-inning singles to give them a golden chance to pull ahead. However, while Henderson raced home, the Ferocious Vikings turned up a double play that canceled out his run.

Hitting a two-out single in the bottom of the fifth, Jimmy Carr hoped to make a tie-breaking run that inning. Before Carr could score, he saw Jensen strike out Eldredge.

On two outs in the top of the sixth, Vicious Viking Justin Beachert singled into left. However, left fielder Braydon Cox snatched a Davis Manson fly ball.

On one out in the bottom of the sixth, Jensen walked Walker and McKay Lewis. King doubled his two teammates in, and he came home on a Blackhurst single.

A "distant cousin" of movie start Ursula Andrus, Vicious Viking Will Andrus singled into left in the top of the seventh, giving Viewmont a final chance of rallying back. However, second baseman Ty Stevenson grounded out Ritchie.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Alta Tweeties 11-1 in 2nd Round Game of UBAL 16-Under Division Playoffs

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a second-round game of the Utah Baseball Academy League's 16-under division state playoffs, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Alta Hawks, AKA the Tweeties, 11-1 July 23.

Awesome Caveman pitcher A.J. Jones scattered five hits and posted six strikeouts as he guided American Fork to victory in the six-inning game. Although Jones walked leadoff Tweety batter Josh Scott at the start of the game, he didn't let the Tweeties make any hits in the first inning.

The bottom of it opened with Hayden "Chief" Wood doubling into right. Turner Knight doubled him to set off a four-run rally. The son of former American Fork three-sport athlete Ali "Lamb Chop" Searle, Dallin Searle singled in two runs, and he then came home on a Jones single.

Singling into left during the top of the second, Jax Matthews, a "distant cousin" of famous White African-American rocker Dave Matthews, stole home as teammate Sammy Cransavage struck out.

In the bottom of the second, Hagen Holmstead slugged a two-out single to drive Jake Norton in. In response, second baseman Connor Josss grounded out Knight.

Alta came really close to staging a rally when the Tweeties loaded the bases on one out in the top of the third. However, Joss got nailed in a fielder's choice play at home, and third base Cousin Jackson Draper  grounded out Matthews.

Neither team could score runs in the third and fourth innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Wood hit a two-out double, and he tried stealing home, but catcher Dallin Woods tagged him at the plate.

Hitting a one-out, fifth-inning single, Knight came home on an error.

The Awesome Cavemen loaded the bases on two outs in the bottom of the sixth. A Cody Willis walk scored a run to set off a six-run rally that doomed the Tweeties. The rally ended with Jones whacking a one-run single that prompted the plate umpire to end the game.

The next night, the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, came to American Fork and defeated the Awesome Cavemen 6-3.

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Park City Snow Bunnies 10-0 in Championship Game of UBAL 15-Under Division

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Played at Viking Field July 25, the Utah Baseball Academy League's 15-under division state championship game saw the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings melt away the Park City Miners, AKA the Snow Bunnies, 10-0.

The game marked a second straight year that a Ferocious Pleasant Grove Viking team had won the 15-under division state championship. The Ferocious Vikings had won the division's state title on their own field last year.

During the six-inning game, Ferocious Viking pitcher Bryson Griffin, a "distant cousin" of Family Guy character Peter Griffin, posted two strikeouts and gave up only two hits. The Snow Bunnies made both of their hits in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the first, the Ferocious Vikings loaded the bases on no outs. Griffin came home on a passed ball, starting a four-run rally. It saw Oakley Craighead double into left and Austin Butler single him in.

Park City reliever Austin Cart kept the Ferocious Viking lead stuck at 4-0 until the bottom of the third when Peyton Henry, son of Pleasant Grove varsity head coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry, singled in Kolby Casey.  

Despite a third-inning single from Butler and a fifth-inning double from Griffin, the Ferocious Vikings couldn't pick up additional runs until the sixth. Meanwhile, in the top of the fourth, the Snow Bunnies got two-out singles from Scotty Stokes and Parker "Smitty" Smith. Before Park City could capitalize on those hits, Griffin struck out Maverick "Mav" Berglund.

The bottom of the sixth opened with Peyton Henry singling into left. Craighead singled him in, setting off a five-run rally. With the score reading 9-0 at one point, Griffin whacked a single to load the bases. Suddenly an error allowed Austin Butler to race home for the winning run.

Pleasant Grove Coach Randy Hicken said, "Our base running was absolutely superb, and our defense committed no error.

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Syracuse Midgets 4-1 in 16-Under Division State Title Game July 26

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In the state championship game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 16-under division title July 26, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Syracuse Titans, AKA the Midgets, 4-3.

During the top of the first, Midget Sawyer "Brown" Morin tripled off pitcher Easton Walker on two outs. However, the pitcher stuck out Caiden Craig to keep Morin stuck on third.

Even though Pleasant Grove got a single from Zach Peterson in the bottom of the first, pitcher Morin kept the Ferocious Vikings from making the first run.

The game stayed a scoreless deadlock until the top of the third when Craig doubled in Chase Bowerly. 

In the bottom of the third, Peyton Henry, son of Pleasant Grove head varsity coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry, singled in two runs.

The next inning, the Ferocious Vikings scored two runs on a Kolby Waycasey sacrifice fly and Jade Smoot's two-out single. In revenge, Morin struck out Zach Peterson to retire Pleasant Grove.

After the fourth, the Ferocious Viking couldn't make any more hit or runs. Still, their defense continued to shine, even though Craig singled for the Midgets in the fifth, and Kaiden King hit a left-field single for them in the seventh. The game ended with pitcher Easton Walker striking out Morin. Walker posted six strikeouts in the game.

Pleasant Grove Tyler Eastman said, "These kids were really unselfish during this season. They were willing to sacrifice themselves for the team."

Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats Defeat  PG's  17-Under Team 9-6 in 8-Inning UBAL Playoff Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

After taking state in the Utah Baseball Academy League's 15- and 16-under age division, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings looked as they might win the state title for the league's 17-under age division. However, the Brighton Bengals, AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats, prevented that from occurring through winning 9-6 on the Ferocious Vikings' home field July 26.

In the top of the first inning, Bad Old Puddy Tat Gabe Farrer hit a two-out triple into right, but he got stuck on base as he watched teammate T.J. "Apple" Orchard fly out to right.

In the bottom of the first, pitcher Orchard walked Easton Walker on two outs. Walker tried stealing home a short time later, but he got thrown out at home plate.

The next inning, Brighton's Trey Brimhall doubled into left, but he got forced out at third. Defensive plays like that forceout kept the game a scoreless tie until the bottom of the third.

During the third's bottom half, three straight singles paved the way for Pleasant Grove to grab a 3-0 lead. The first Ferocious Viking to hit the first of those singles, Jade Smoot came home on a McKay Lewis single. The Ferocious Vikings picked up their next two third-inning runs on a sacrifice groundout and an Aiden Neuenswander single.

In the top of the fourth, two-out singles, hit by Farrer and Trey Brimhall, tipped the game to the Bad Old Puddy Tats' favor. A distant relative of extremely liberal Salt Lake Tribune political cartoonist Pat Bagley Brayden Bagley hit a two-run double for the Bad Old Puddy Tats.

Pleasant Grove worked quickly to repair the damage done by Bagley's double. In the bottom of the fourth, Jimmy Carr got on base through a Bad Old Puddy Tat error, and a Jade Smoot double moved him to third. Carr scored on Easton Walker's sacrifice fly. The Bad Puddy Tats turned up a double play right afterwards.

In the top of the fifth, Logan McGregor doubled in Taylor "Pop Gun" Propokis on two outs, cutting the Pleasant Grove lead to 4-3. In the bottom of the fifth, Brayden King and Ty Stephenson hit singles that paved the way for Neuenswander to knock in a run on one out. Pitcher Orchard got even by striking out  Peyton Simpson, a "distant cousin" of TV character Bart Simpson.

The Ferocious Vikings' 5-3 lead didn't faze the Bad Old Puddy Tats, for in the sixth, a Bagley one-run single put them within 5-4. Pleasant Grove turned up a double play that delayed Brighton from tying the game that inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bad Puddy Tats kept the Ferocious Vikings from picking up an insurance run.

In the top of the seventh, Quick Nick Wagner doubled in Propokis to tie the game at five. That RBI proved to be one of two factors that saved the Bad Old Puddy Tats that inning. The other factor was Brighton's strong defense. Aided by a Zach Peterson double, the Ferocious Vikings loaded the bases on two bases in the bottom of the seventh. However, Carr got out before Pleasant Grove could score a tie-breaking run.

The Bad Old Puddy Tats scored three run in the top of the eighth, and they gave up only one run to Pleasant Grove in the bottom of the inning. The loss left the Ferocious Vikings having to wait until 2013 for another shot at a state baseball title.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Bountiful Little Injuns 7-6 in UBAL 17-Under Division Playoffs
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

At American Fork July 27, The Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Bountiful Braves, AKA the Little Injuns, in the second round of the Utah Baseball Academy's 17-under division playoffs.

Although Awesome Caveman Sean Hardman hit a two-out single in the bottom of the first, neither team could score a run in the opening round.

In the top of the second, Little Injun Kevin "Kevy" Byington hit a one-out double into center, and Tanner Redding's left-field single advanced him to third. Byington came home on Ricky Medrano's sacrifice fly.

Through singles hit by Craig Brailsford, Justin Pitcher, and Milo Abbott, the Awesome Cavemen loaded the bases on no outs in the bottom of the second. A sacrifice fly, hit by Andy Bartholemew, nephew of former Awesome Caveman wrestler John "Superstud" Bartholemew, drove Brailsford in, setting off a three-run rally. During it, Pitcher scored on an error, and Kody "Coco" Hall doubled in Abbott.

The next inning saw pitcher Hardman strike out the first two Little Injun batters sent up against him. Zach Muir doubled off Hardman and came home on a Redding single. Hardman grounded out Medrano before Bountiful could tie the game.

In the bottom of the third, Zach Haws doubled into left, and Hardman singled him in. American Fork soon scored a second third-inning run on a passed ball.

American Fork kept its 5-2 lead intact in the top of the fourth, and in the bottom of that inning, the Awesome Cavemen picked up a sixth run on a passed ball.

After Hardman had fanned two straight Little Injun batters in the top of the fifth, Ben Fowers singled off him and scored a run on a Ryan Curtis double. Hardman retaliated by striking out Zach Muir.

Getting on base through a fifth-inning error, Awesome Caveman Skylar Mounteer scored on another goof. That turned out to be the last run for American Fork in the game.

In the sixth, the Little Injuns proved they were still far being finished when Jordan Hayes' two-run double put them within 7-5. In the seventh, they loaded the bases on one out. Redding knocked in a run, giving American Fork the willies. Once shortstop Hall snatched a Medrano pop fly, Hardman struck out Hayes to end the game.

American Fork Coach Jay Holmstead said, "We were extremely aggressive on our base-running tonight. We got in a couple of forced plays that saved us. Sean threw really well tonight."

Vicious Viewmont Vikings Ends Awesome Cavemen's Season
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's hopes of adding a state 17-under division title to their list of baseball accomplishments this year vanished in an third-round Utah Baseball Academy League playoff game held at American Fork July 28. The Vicious Vikings eliminated the Awesome Cavemen 6-3.

The first inning opened on a promising note for American Fork. Walked by pitcher Austin Pitcher, Vicious Viking Weston Sandbury got tagged by catcher Andy Bartholmew in a fielder's choice play at home. Shortstop Kody "Coco" Hall turned up a double play that kept Viewmont from scoring.

In the bottom of the first, Skylar Mounteer doubled in Sean Hardman on one out to put American Fork ahead 1-0. American Fork stayed stuck on its 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth when a Hall sacrifice fly scored pinch runner Hagen Holmstead. In response, pitcher Jensen Brenden struck out Turner Knight.

American Fork's state title hopes took a terrible beating in the top of the fifth when Parker Taggart hit a one-run single that set off a four-run rally for Viewmont. Justin Beachet singled in two runs, and he came home on a Travis Henderson single.

Viewmont held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless until the bottom of the sixth. That inning, two Vicious Viking errors let Holmstead steal home. The Vicious Vikings didn't let the Awesome Cavemen make any more runs.

In the seventh, Beachet doubled in Taggart, and Henderson singled in Mikey Steinke to conclude the game's scoring.