Lehi Froggie Volleyball and AF Grass Relays

Timp Sports Weekly

September 3, 2013

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, outlasting the Fremont Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups, in a five-game volleyball match played at Lehi Aug. 29. We also look at how four northern Utah County schools' cross country teams did at the 17th Annual American Fork Grass Relays. As they say in Lehi, let's swim straight to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Survive Ribbiting 5-Match Against Fremont Silverpups Aug. 29

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a non-league volleyball action at Lehi Aug. 29, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, survived a five-game match against the Fremont Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups, by scores of 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 13-25, 15-10.

There could be no doubt that the game turned out to be more riveting -- correction, ribbiting than expected. During the match's first two games, the Froggies capitalized on the Silverpups' problem service errors to hop all over them. However, when Fremont defeated Lehi in the third game, the Froggies realized how extremely hungry for a victory the Silverpups were. Lehi Coach Jamie Ingersoll said, "In the fifth game, we managed to keep the ball in the court, so we could control the tempo all the way through. We played consistent in that game. In the third game, we let them get that early big lead, and we paid for it with having to play five games instead of three."

The first game opened with the Silverpups howling out to a 2-0 lead. Froggie Reesie Tua dumped a shot into Silverpup hole, turning the game into a nail-biting contest. Jessica Quayle, Mandi "Ms. Baad" Lamb, and Kenzie Burrows guided the Silverpups in staying ahead for a little while. Carly Ituma, Cydney Lund, Faitoto'a Faleao, and Rylin Roberts pooled their efforts together to pace the Froggies into leaping past the Silverpups 8-7. Taking a turn at serving, Ituma guided the Froggies into stroking far ahead of Fremont. Lehi  led by as far as 15-9. Lamb, Amanda Wayment, and Whitney Wray battled fiercely late in the first to prove that their Silverpups were still far from being fixed. After Lamb had chopped the Froggie lead down 23-22 on a kill, Makayala Houghton delivered hits that produced a 25-22 win for Lehi.

Ituma's hitting guided the Froggies out to an early 3-1 lead in the second game. Silverpups raced back to take a 4-3 advantage. Frequent service errors made it impossible for them to keep a tight hold on the momentum. As it kept slipping from the Silverpups' paws, the Froggies got an outstanding front-row performance from Houghton. Her hitting enabled the Froggies to stay several points ahead of Fremont despite strong efforts from Wayment, Burrows, Lamb, and Quayle. Houghton's hitting netted the Froggies a 25-17 in Game 2.

By the way the first two games had turned out, the Froggies, on paper, should have had no problem with swishing the Silverpups away in the third game. Even though it opened with Froggie Brynn Christensen registering a kill to give her team a 1-0 lead, Lehi came out flat. Aided by a Burrows ace, the Silverpups set their paws on a 4-1 lead quicker than you could say Ali Lamb Chop. A "distant cousin" of famed British actor Anthony "Tony" Quayle, Jessica Quayle held her own against Houghton, Ituma, and Faleao at the net. Quayle's hitting helped the Silverpups to stay ahead the entire game. In their attempts to catch up with Fremont, the Froggies frequently shot themselves in the fin through committing errors at very critical moments. Lehi finally did tie the game at 24-24. Wray delivered two straight kills that gave the Silverpups a 26-24 win.

The fourth game opened with Lamb registered a kill. Aided by Wayment, Burrows, and Wray, Lamb chopped Lehi to pieces in the game by a score of 25-13.

Despite the bruising loss in Game 4, Lehi put on the kind of performance that save the Froggies from getting dried up by Fremont. Tua, Houghton, Lund, Roberts, Sydney Wright, and Courtney Walker worked together to guide Lehi to a 15-10 win over the Silverpups.

Awesome AF Cavemen Win Varsity Boys' Title at AF Grass Relays Aug. 31

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen won the varsity boys' title at the 17th Annual American Fork Grass Relays, held behind the American Fork High School Aug. 31.

Unlike the cross country meets at which American Fork will be competing this fall, the one last Saturday involved having varsity runners each taking a turn at carrying a baton twice around a one-mile course. Each of the 20 schools competing at the meet field a team of five carriers.

The current state 5-A champs, the Awesome Cavemen showed why they were still a team of highly experienced runners. During the varsity boys' race, American Fork's No. 1 runner, Connor McMillan, built up a wide distance between himself and all of the other guys running in his turn of the race. Despite having to leap over hay bale barricades, McMillan didn't lose ground to his pursuers. With him finishing his turn of the race in first-place, he enabled his relay team's four other runners to stay way ahead of other baton carriers. The other four Awesome Caveman varsity racers included Zac "Zebra" Jacklin, Tyler "Tinker" Bell, Nate Tracy, and Caleb Thompson.

In the overall varsity boys' finishes, McMillan took first and Jacklin fourth. Lone Peak's Jacob Warner took ninth in those overall finishes.

American Fork boys' coach Timo Mostert said, "Dean, there are two kinds of runners: those who race and those who want to race. My guys wanted to race today."

The Awesome Cavemen weren't the only northern Utah County boys' cross country team that proved something at the Grass Relays. The Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, proved something, too. Loner Coach Steve Ravelli said, "The varsity boys did much better than many people thought they would do. Our guys beat a nationally ranked team. Like American Fork, Riverton is nationally ranked, but we still beat the Silverwolves. We finished second in the varsity boys' relay."

Among the other three schools to finish in the varsity boys' relay's top five, Bingham took third, Riverton fourth, and Orem fifth.

The Loner runners in the varsity boys' relay included Warner, Jacob Harmer, Mikey Rossi, Jon Cahoon, and Marcor Peterson.

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings and Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, also fielded teams for the varsity boys and girls' relays. Pleasant Grove's varsity boys' quintet consisted of Zach Slater, Justin Coutts, Ethan Mitchell, Spence Palmer, and Tanner Nelson. The Froggies' varsity boys' quintet comprised of Connor Arnell, Austin Hinckley, Mikey Hinckley, Tom "Cat" Heaps, and Brady "Bunch" Taylor. Pleasant Grove finished 21st in the varsity boys' relay, and it saw Lehi take 22nd.

The Awesome American Fork Cavewomen finished fifth in the varsity girls' relay, which Bingham won. AKA the Pickers, the Bingham Miners took firm control of that race. The best American Fork could do was move from a seventh-place position to a fourth-place spot. The Awesome Cavewomen's varsity girls' relay consisted of Maddie Bench, Sophie Baird, Lexie Green, Diane Leach, and Makayla Stepps. American Fork head coach Bruno Hunziker said, "They've finished fifth in our grass relays practically every year, except that one time when they won first a few years ago. Today showed what they will need to work on, so they can get better as the season progresses.

Lehi took ninth in the varsity girls' relay. The Froggie girls' relay team consisted of Kenzie Draper, Nicole Rich, Emily Anderson, Maddy Kauffman, and Shariss Bevan.  

The Ferocious Vikings and Loners also fielded teams for the varsity girls' relay. The Ferocious Viking girls' team comprised of Annie Henninger, Aspen "Grove" Lucas, Melissa Reid, Faith Olsen, and Michaela Tanner. The Loners' varsity girls' quintet consisted of Emily Morrin, Monica Gividen, Amelia Southwick, and Jessica Smith. Lone Peak finished 10th in the varsity girls' race while  Pleasant Grove took 28th.

The meet opened with four races involving junior varsity runners. American Fork dominated the top 10 finishes in all of those races. 

A "distant cousin" of MASH character Corporal Clinger, Awesome Caveman Casey Clinger won the boys' 9th-10th grade division race. Among the other Awesome Cavemen to finish high in that race, McKay Johns took second, Joe Simmons sixth, and Hagen Hammer seventh. Loner Adam Jensen finished fourth.

In the girls' 9th-10th grade division race, Hannah Kendrick took first, Sophie Stewart second, Katie Bradshaw third, and Sammy Hollingsworth sixth. Loner Amanda Erickson took fifth in that race. Coach Ravelli said, "Amanda Erickson was the biggest surprise of the day with her fifth-place in the freshman-sophomore race. She ran well enough to have a shot at becoming our No. 3 runner on varsity."

Hunziker said, "Hannah Kendrick and Sophie Stewart are ninth graders, and they showed their race today why they deserved a chance at getting placed on varsity."

During the girls' junior-senior jayvee race, Awesome Cavewoman Nikki "Slicky" Smith finished first while teammate Amber "This is Your Night" Bardin took 10th.

American Fork practically swept the top 10 finishes of the boys' junior-senior jayvee race. During it, Awesome Caveman Dan Bentley won first while Spence Herzog took second, Jace Jenson third, Jacob Chase fourth, Luke "Use the Force" Gunther fifth, Connor Hoopes seventh, and Ashton Jensen eighth.

AF Girls' Soccer Win Over Bingham, Lehi Volleyball Season Opener, Lehi Froggie Football Win, and AF Volleyball

Timp Sports Weekly

August 27, 2013

Publisher's Message

With high school fall sports now underway, we will look at stories about the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen's wins in soccer and volleyball last week. We will also take a look at the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, washing away the Brighton Bengals (AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats) in volleyball and the Murray Spartans (AKA the Spear Boys) in football. As they say Lehi, let's stroke straight to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavewomen Kick Bingham Pickers Aside 2-0 in Girls' Soccer Game Aug. 19

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

After having dropped their first two girls' soccer games of the season, the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen finally picked up win Aug. 19 when they kicked aside the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, 2-0 in a preseason game at South Jordan Middle School.

"We have beaten Bingham before, but this is the first time that we have won at their place," said American Fork Coach Margie Stringam. "We played very good defense against them. Kenzie Jorgensen did really good in the goalie position. We applied today what we had learned from our loss at home to Hillcrest last Thursday, and unlike in that last game, we made sure today that once we got on the board we stayed ahead all the way. Bingham has a lot of seniors. So I told my girls to come out playing really hard against them."

Sydney "The Sly Sloth" Olsen, Caitlyn "The Mark" Stainbrook and Marly Olsen led frequent Picker penetrations deep into American Fork territory. However, the Pickers encountered much resistance from Jorgensen, Jenna Shepherd, and Audrey Searle, the daughter of former American Fork girls' soccer star Ali "Lamb Chop" Searle. 

Fans saw many nail-biting moments involving Awesome Cavewoman Lizzy Newman and Benson battling for the ball. More often than not, Newman would manage to dribble past Benson.

Ten minutes into the game, Awesome Cavewoman Brooklyn Voglesberg scored the first goal from the top of the Picker penalty box. The game then grounded down into a classic goal-keeping duel between Jorgensen and Bingham's Ashlee "Duchess" Palmer.

The game got so intense that a referee ejected an American Fork dad from the field. However, the two teams' players and coaches managed to keep their cool, so none of them got shown the door like that one father had been.

The game's second goal occurred in the final two minutes of regulation play. Receiving a corner kick from comic strip character Beetle Bailey's "distant cousin" Marissa Bailey, Shepherd scored the goal.

Lehi Froggies Leap Past Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats in 4-Game Volleyball Aug. 22
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a non-league volleyball match at Lehi Aug. 22, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, leaped past the Brighton Bengals, AKA the Bad Old Puddy Tats, in a four-game match by scores of 18-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18.

Game 1 gave the illusion that the Bad Old Puddy Tats would rip the Froggies apart in three games. Yes, the opening game did go down as an unhappy -- correction, unhoppy experience for Lehi. Even though the Froggies, led by Faitoto Falaeo and McKayla Houghton, did hop back to the tie game at eight, they couldn't pull ahead of those Bad Old Puddy Tats. Jenna "Orange Bear" Markey, Shannon "Don't Worry, Be Happy" McPherron, Nana "The Sea" Mariner, and Montana "Poison" Ivey dominated the net all the way through the opening round. Nevertheless, the Froggies kept battling back, pulling within one point thrice. However, the Froggies had jumped within 19-17, the Bad Old Puddy Tats proceeded to pull away.

In the second game, Brighton and Lehi battled to a 2-2 draw. Suddenly, the Froggies capitalized on some Bad Old Puddy Tat violations and took control of the moment. Even though the Bad Old Puddy Tats tied the game at six, Froggie Ashley "The Adventuress" Robbins registered a kill that stirred up momentum for Lehi. Despite the Bad Old Puddy Tats tying the game at eight, they couldn't pull ahead this time. A Faleao kill sent Lehi hopping ahead. Soon, the Froggies commanded a 14-7 lead. Despite desperate efforts from Dani "Miss Meow" Barton and Orange Bear Markey, the Bad Old Puddy Tats couldn't claw their way back into the game. Once a Robbins ace put the Froggie lead at 21-11, doom had become inevitable for Brighton. With a Reesie Tua kill winning the game for Lehi, the Bad Old Puddy Tats couldn't help but groan, "Thutherin' Thucatsh!"

The third game opened with a Tua kill sending the Froggies stroking out to a 4-0 lead. Barton and Markey guided an effort that enabled the Bad Old Puddy Tats to tie the game at five. However, some key Faleao hits sent Lehi ahead 9-6. Houghton and Rylin Roberts, a niece of Mountain View Teddy Bear sports legend Josh Roberts, guided the Froggies in keeping ahead of the Bad Old Puddy through the rest of the game. Tua's hitting late in the third game enabled the Froggies to clutch the round.

Even though the Bad Old Puddy Tats got their paws on a 1-0 lead in the fourth game, Tua, Roberts, and Houghton combined their efforts to produce a 9-3 lead for Lehi. Markey and Barton guided their Bad Old Puddy Tats back to take a 12-11 lead on a Kassidy "Butch" Siddoway kill. However, Lehi tied the game at 12 on a double block, and Roberts' hitting earned the Froggies a 14-12 lead. Though Brighton tied the game at 14, Courtney Walker registered a kill that gave Lehi momentum to pull ahead. Sydney White's serving tightened the Froggies' hold on the momentum, and a bad Brighton bump gave them the match point. As Brighton's arch rivals, the Alta Tweeties, would say, those poor Bad Old Puddy Tats didn't know what got them.

Lehi Coach Jamie Ingersoll said, "We couldn't build big momentums in the first game. In the second and third game, we had some big serving runs. In the fourth game, we mainly went through the motions."

Houghton posted 11 kills and Roberts added another 10. Robbins served up six aces while Digger Lund came up with 24 digs.

Lehi Froggies Open Football Season With 60-20 Win Over Murray Spear Boys Aug. 23
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, opened their football season with a 60-20 win at home over the Murray Spartans, AKA the Spear Boys, in preseason action Aug. 23.

The game gave the Froggies' much frustrated fans hope about them hopping all the way to a state 5-A title this November. While we wait to see whether Lehi can swim away with that accomplishment, I will have you know that the Froggies are going to be spending this Labor Day weekend in Saint George, playing the Dixie Flyers, not to be confused with the Dixie University Partyin' Red Storm.

Lehi Coach Dave Hastings said, "I think we played really good defense, especially when they got into the red zone in the game's early minutes. When they fumbled the ball on our 1-yard line, that gave us a real big break."

The game opened with Froggie Ryan Absher returning the ball to the Lehi 28-yard line. Guided by quarterback Derek Beeston, the Froggie offense stroke all the way to the Murray 45-yard line. The Spear Boy defense stopped the Froggies there. Soon, Murray running back Mason Burnett rushed the ball clear to the Froggie 13-yard line. Teammate Taylor Liston, an "extremely distant cousin" of famed boxer Sonny Liston, then carried the ball to the Lehi 1-yard line. The Froggies suddenly appeared destined to get stomped like they had been in nine of their games last year. However, Murray fumbled away the ball, and Froggie Daeton Taylor recovered it on the 5-yard line. The turnover led to Froggie Caden Calton scoring a touchdown. Lehi tried for a two-point conversion, but failed to score one.

Lehi's 6-0 lead couldn't last long. During an 80-yard march from the Spear Boy 20-yard line, quarterback Riley Richmond connected a six-yard pass to Burnett for a tying touchdown. Cordell 'Winkie" Martindale kicked a PAT to put the Spear Boys ahead 7-6.

During the first quarter's final two minutes, Beeston fired a 24-yard pass to running back Spence Blackham. That big pass soon led Lehi to getting inside the Spear Boys' 10-yard zone. On a fourth-down play, Absher caught a 19-yard touchdown pass. Though Lehi failed to score another two-point conversion, the Froggies commenced turning the game into a contest that they would croak proudly about for weeks to come.

Early in the second quarter, Froggie Colton Sampson sacked Richmond for a five-yard loss, prompting Murray to punt to the Froggie 37-yard line. A 38-yard pass from Beeston to Austin Wetzel and a Murray personal foul put the Froggies inside the Spear Boys' 10-yard zone. Taking a handoff from Beeston,  Derek Hastings scored touchdown on a five-yard carry. Hayden Hunt kicked in an extra point for the Froggies. While attempting to recovering from that Froggie TD, Murray funmbled away the ball on the Froggie 19-yard line. Though Maxs Tapi sacked Beeston for a five-yard loss, Lehi recovered quickly in time for Calton to score his second touchdown during a nine-yard carry. On a 95-yard kickoff return, Spear Boy Mitch Rasmussen scored a touchdown, but the Froggies didn't let Murray score an extra point.

In the third quarter. the Froggies drenched Murray in a scoring rally. Early that quarter, Wetzel returned a punt 50 yards into the Murray end zone. Beeston's long passes to Dyreke Terrell and Ryan Absher resulted in Hastings scoring a TD on a 12-yard run. Froggie fans then croaked excitedly as they watched Absher picked off pass and race the interception 15 yards into the Murray end zone. Absher's Colton topped it with a 36-yard touchdown rush. Rasmussen gave Murray fans something to cheer about when he caught a  28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Cash. That play turned out to be the last successful Murray drive of the game.

The Spear Boys didn't let the Froggies trample them in the final quarter, but Murray couldn't recover from the third quarter. At 3:03 in the last quarter, Brandon Kopinksy recovered a Murray fumble in the Spartan end zone for Lehi's final touchdown.

Awesome AF Cavespikers Defeat South Summit Mountain Kitties and Bonneville Barnacles Skyline Volleyball Tournament
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

On Aug. 24, the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen finished their final day of the Skyline Volleyball Invitational by defeating the South Summit Wildcats (AKA Mountain Kitties) and the Bonneville Lakers (AKA the Barnacles).

The South Summit match opened with a Shalae Steinbridge ace putting the Mountain Kitties on the board first. Before long, the Mountain Kitties commanded a 3-1 lead. Cassidy "Butch" Roberts, Whitney "Herman" Hess, and Maddie "Colonel" Sanders guided an Awesome Cavewoman comeback effort. After American Fork had tied the game at six, Sanders swatted a kill that put the Awesome Cavewomen ahead 7-6. South Summit tied the game at eight, but American Fork pulled back out in front again. Jensen Meyers, Lexie "Locked" Hatch, and Jamie "How Do You Do" McNeil paced the Mountain Kitties in keeping close to the Awesome Cavewomen. However, American Fork never let South Summit slip ahead of it again. A Hess ace won gave American Fork a 23-17 win in the first game.

The second game opened with the Awesome Cavewomen rolling ahead 8-1 on Sanders and Roberts' hitting. Great front-row efforts from Kylee Buckner, Afton Law, Tristan Tusinga, Jessie Akin, Abby Ensign, and Ohanna Lenz helped American Fork build up a 20-10 lead. The Awesome Cavewomen cruised to a 25-13 win, sweeping their match against the Mountain Kitties.

American Fork had to go three games in its match against the Barnacles. Bonneville dominated the Awesome Cavewomen. A niece of BYU football legend Junior "Puncher" Filiaga, Sam Filiaga guided the Barnacles out to an early 5-1. Hess, Whitehead, and Sanders stirred up a comeback try that enabled the Awesome Cavemen slip ahead 10-9, but a Taylor Anderson kill tipped the momentum back to the Barnacles' favor. Courtney Porter, Ellie "Mae" Jensen, and Bailey Balaich registered kills that kept Bonneville narrowly ahead the rest of the game. When an Anderson kill gave the Barnacles a 25-23 win in Game 1, the Awesome Cavewomen looked as though they would be sunk quickly like ships.

Despite a Filiaga kill giving Bonneville an early 1-0 lead, Kills by Law and Sanders sent American Fork ahead 3-1. Sanders' hitting enabled the Awesome Cavewomen to stay narrowly ahead. Strong serving helped American Fork to keep the Barnacles at bay, even though Bonneville did cruise within 15-13. An Ensign kill powered American Fork to pull away at that point. A Law kill gave the Awesme Cavewomen a 25-18 win.

In the third game, the two teams battled to an 8-8 tie. A Sanders kill broke that deadlock. The Barnacles pulled within 10-9 and 11-10, but a Tusinga kill staved them off, and American Fork went on to win 15-11.

Awesome AF Cavewomen's Loss to the Hillcrest Puppies in Girls' Soccer

Timp Sports Weekly

August 20, 2013

 Publisher's Message

This week's issue deals with the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen's preseason soccer campaign with a particular attention on their  2-1 loss at home to the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies, on August 15. Let's get to the story of that exciting game.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavewomen Suffer a 2-1 Loss to the Hillcrest Puppies in Preseason Overtime Thriller

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In opening their girls' preseason soccer schedule last week, the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen  got defeated 2-1 by the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies, in an overtime thriller played on American Fork High's softball field Aug. 15.

The Awesome Cavewomen has had a long history of getting clobbered by the Puppies in girls' soccer. However, in the latest game, American Fork kept playing well enough to have a strong chance, even in the overtime portion, of pulling out a win.

Puppy Rosa Cortez initiated the first deep attack of the game. Hillcrest moved the ball really deep for a chance to get a good shot selection. However, Awesome Cavewoman goalie Kenzie "Take Off For the Great White North" Jorgenson picked off a Puppy shot.

The twin sister of Awesome Caveman baseball player Dallin Searle and the daughter of American Fork girls' soccer legend Ali "Lamp Chop" Searle, Audrey Searle initiated a strong Awesome Cavewoman attack up through the Puppy center. Defender Amy Cyr guided a strong Puppy effort that delayed American Fork from scoring the first game's first goal.

Ten minutes into the game, Awesome Cavewoman Anna Stevenson kicked in the afternoon's first goal. In fact, it was American Fork's very first goal of the season. (The Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowgirls, had defeated American Fork 2-0 Aug. 13.) Stevenson's successful shot created the impression that the Awesome Cavewomen would finally score their first win over the Puppies for the first time in the history of the two teams' 21-year rivalry.

The Puppies didn't let American Fork enjoy its 1-0 lead for long. After Cyr had rebuffed one Awesome Cavewoman attack, Puppy Makayle Hill, a "distant cousin" of Fox cartoon character Hank Hill, delivered a kick that sent the ball deep into American Fork's territory. Soon, fellow Puppy Jenna Hansen kicked in a goal on an angle shot.

The game then grounded down in a deadlock that saw great defensive efforts by both the Awesome Cavewomen and the Puppies. Awesome Cavewomen Laken Flinders, Taylor "T.J." Thompson, and Tin Lizzie Newman stepped forward to come up with some thrilling steals from quick-moving Puppies like Emily "Flaming" Sorge, Halah "Chaka" Kanh, Sadie "Hawkins" McLachlan, and Karra "Pretty Face" Gourley. Puppy goalie Nicole "The Foal" Jessen gave Cyr strong backup clear into the game's overtime portion.

Early in the overtime, the Awesome Cavewomen had some great shot selections. However, none of them could get any kicks to fly past Jessen.

When the Puppies took control of the ball, they put a quick end to the game. From the top of American Fork's penalty box, Skye "Pilot" Jefferies booted in a successful shot.

While the Puppies howled joyfully about their thrilling win, the Awesome Cavewomen slowly cleared the field for a post-game meeting with their head coach, Margie Stringam, wore a defected look. It was why I did not bother interviewing her after the game.

I did talk to the Puppies' head coach, Megan Beckstead, though. Wearing a tiny, diamond stud on her nose, Beckstead said, "They [the Puppies] played really hard until the final shot in overtime. They never gave."

The Final Two Rounds of the UBAL 17-Under Age Division Playoffs

Timp Sports Weekly

August 6, 2013

Publisher's Message

As a very biased sports journalist, I must sadly report that my Awesome American Fork Cavemen fell a round short of winning this year's Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under age division state pennant. That honor went to their arch rivals, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings. So as they celebrate their first state baseball title in years, I will present two stories about last week's final two rounds of the UBAL's 17-under age division playoffs. The first account will deal with Pleasant Grove sinking my Awesome Cavemen in a nine-inning semifinal. The second account touches on how the Ferocious Vikings buried the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, 11-1 in the championship game. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Awesome AF Cavemen 6-5 in 9-Inning Semifinal July 29

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's dreams of a summer state baseball pennant sank in a nine-inning Utah Baseball Academy League semifinal played on the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' home field July 29. With the 17-under age division state title on the line, the Ferocious Vikings defeated the Awesome Cavemen 6-5.

By the way the first inning went it, the game promised that American Fork would have its hands full, but the Awesome Cavemen would still take home a close victory, despite aggressive hitting from the Ferocious Vikings.

The game opened with Awesome Caveman Emmett Green singling into center. After the Ferocious Vikings had pinched Green in a fielder's choice play at second, pitcher Jade Smoot walked Austin Pitcher. Koy "Squeeze Toy" Dibb doubed in Kody "Coco" Hall and Pitcher. A nephew of American Fork wrestling legend John "Superstud" Bartholomew, Andy Bartholomew smacked a standup double that drove Dibb in. A Logan Flinder sacrifice groundout scored Bartholomew, but through intercepting a Riley Winter fly ball, center fielder Zach Peterson shut down the Awesome Cavemen's rally.

Peterson followed up that interception through doubling in Ben Eldredge during the bottom of the first. After pitcher Craig Brailsford struck out Easton Walker, Smoot doubled in Peterson. A grandson of Pleasant Grove wrestling coaching legend Daryl "The Anchor" Henry, Payton Henry hit into a double play that stopped Pleasant Grove.

With Smoot not letting any Awesome Cavemen get on base in the top of the second, the Ferocious Vikings came out blasting with hits in the bottom of that inning. Its lower half opened with Brody "Blackie" Blackhurst and Chase Merrell whacking singles deep into the outfield. Soon a Chanzt Cook sacrifice groundout scored Blackhurst. Brailsford grounded out Matt "Bub" Wilde, and Green caught a Brandon Coombs fly ball, preserving American Fork's 4-3 lead.

Smoot frustrated the Awesome Cavemen's attempts to widen their lead during the third and fourth innings. In the third, for example, Pitcher singled off Smoot, but the chucker put him out at second a few minutes later, ruining American Fork's best chance for getting a run that inning. In the fourth, Smoot retired two batters while third baseman Wilde grounded out Bartholomew to keep the score at 4-3.

Finally in the fifth's top half, Green doubled into left to spur American Fork into loading the bases on one out. Green scored a run, but Pleasant Grove socked the Awesome Cavemen with a double play. Third baseman Flinders turned up a double play himself to end the fifth with American Fork still leading 5-3.

In the sixth, Bartholomew singled into center one out, giving American Fork hopes of scoring more insurance runs. Pleasant Grove kept him chain on base, however.

Doubles from Walker and Smoot gave the Awesome Cavemen big worries in the bottom of the sixth. Those worries came true, for a Payton Henry sacrifice groundout scored Walker while a Merrill single brought Smoot for a tying run.

In the top of the seventh, Smoot posted two strikeouts, and shortstop Walker snared a Hall fly to keep American Fork scoreless. With Cook getting beaned by a Hall pitch in the bottom of the seventh, the Awesome Cavemen seemed done for. Suddenly, reliever Hall got Cook out in a fielder's choice play at second. Soon, Coombs hit into a double play that forced the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Pitcher hit an infield single, but he got stuck at second, costing American Fork another golden opportunity. Reliever Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead held the Ferocious Vikings scoreless in the bottom of the eighth while posting two strikeouts.

On two outs in the top of the ninth, Green hit an infield single. He then tried stealing second, but a throw from catching Henry to second baseman Ben Eldredge put the Awesome Caveman out.

The ninth's lower half opened with Smoot singling into center, and a Henry, left-field double moved him to third. Blackhurst singled him in for the winning run.

"The game with AF was a baseball classic," said Ferocious Viking Coach Darren "That's Bush League" Henry.

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Bingham Pickers 11-1 for UBAL State Pennant

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Publisher

Although still the defending state 5-A baseball champs, the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, got served a reminder July 30 how easily they could come out losing in a championship game. In the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under age state championship game at Pleasant Grove that day, they got hammered 11-1 by the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings.

During the game's five innings, Picker fans looked on with horror as Ferocious Viking pitcher Brandon Coombs held Bingham to four hits and one run throughout the entire contest. Who would have thought that Coombs would have pulled off such a feat with a team known for having produced baseball legends like George Sluga and Brian "Axel" Hardy, who had wisely rejected a pro baseball contract in favor of a BYU baseball scholarship? Coombs' incredible feat earned Pleasant Grove its first state baseball championship title in a generation.

During the top of the first, Picker Cody "Frying Pan" Kitchen tripled off Coombs, and Kyle "Sunflower" Fleischman singled him. After catcher Payton Henry lobbed a throw to second baseman Zach Peterson to put Fleischman, Coombs struck out Ty Zupon and then grounded out Sean "Senator" Keating.

In the bottom of the first, pitcher Kitchen beaned Ferocious Viking leadoff batter Ben Eldredge. Suddenly Peterson flew out to first baseman Keating, who then tagged Eldredge to complete an unassisted double play. Pleasant Grove quickly recovered from it. Also beaned by a Kitchen pitch, Easton Walker got moved to third on a Jaden Smoot double. Henry doubled in Walker and Smoot. Kitchen struck out Brody "Blackie" Blackhurst.

The next inning opened with Kitchen striking out Colin "Gordy" Gordon. The pitcher then grounded out Connor Goff and Nick Plaga, a grandson of prep baseball legend Gene Plaga, who had coached the West High Panthers, AKA the Black Kittens, a generation ago. The second inning pretty much summed up how the rest of the game went for Picker hitters. The Ferocious Vikings practically plugged up all possible holes for Bingham batters to hit into. Zupon did single off Coombs at the start of the fourth, but that Picker got stuck on base. In the fifth's top half, Brayden "Fiddle" Diddle singled on one out, but got  put out at second. Diddle's single turned out to be the last Bingham hit for the game. Meanwhile, Coombs posted five strikeouts in the game.

Despite Coombs slugging a second-inning single, Pleasant Grove's lead stayed at 2-1 until the bottom of the fourth. With it opening on a Blackhurst single hit into center, one-run doubles from Chase Merrell and Chantz Cook unleashed a three-run rally for Pleasant Grove. After Matt "Bub" Wilde singled in Coombs, Bingham shut down the rally, but the Ferocious Vikings stayed aggressive.

In the fifth's lower half, Henry singled off reliever Plaga to score Walker, setting off another scoring rally. During it, Blackhust doubled in Smoot to give Pleasant Grove more momentum. One-run singles from Chase Merrell and Chantz Cook drove Bingham into a corner that it could not escape from. With bases loaded, Logan Bullock hit a two-run double that ended the game.

 Ferocious Viking Coach  Darren "That's Bush League" Henry said, "That was the best Coombs has thrown for us this year. We were going to have a guy relieve him in the top of the sixth, but the game got over before we could send in our reliever. Coombs pretty much kept Bingham in check after the first inning. We hit the ball very well. We had 11 hits in today's game. Though Bingham is the defending state champion, today's game shows that for them to win region and state next year, they're going to have to get through us."

Awesome AF Caveman Wins at Skyline

Timp Sports Weekly

July 30, 2013

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's road wins against the Skyline Eagles, AKA the Chirpers. We will also look at Utah Baseball Academy League playoff games involving my Awesome Cavemen. As they say at Skyline, let's swoop in on the stories of those games. 

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavemen Quiet Skyline Chirpers 11-0 in 5-Inning Game July 22

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In recent Utah Baseball Academy League action, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen quieted the Skyline Eagles, AKA the Chirpers, 11-0 in a 17-under age division played at Skyline. 

If the Chripers losing to the Lehi Froggies the week before was nightmarish, they found out that getting clobbered by American Fork was even worse. The combined pitching Craig Brailsford and Austin Pitcher held the Chirpers scoreless through all five innings, and Skyline made only three hits in the game. Those two hits were singles hit by Riley "Sky" Hennings, Bridger "Beaver" Nielson, and Dimitri "Gummy Bear" Sak.

The game unfolded with Emmitt "Greenie" Green and Kody "Coco" Hall each slugging a single. Pitcher knocked in Green, but Hall got thrown out in a fielder's choice play at second. Pitcher scored on a passed ball.

In the second inning, Green tripled in two runs, and in the third, Pitcher scored on an error. The Chirpers used a double play to hold the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the fourth.

A nephew of American Fork High wrestling John "Superstud" Bartholomew, Andy Bartholomew doubled in Koy "Squeeze Toy" Dibb to set off a decisive scoring rally. During it, Logan Flinders singled two runs. Riley tripled in two Awesome Cavemen, and he came home on a Green single to end American Fork scoring. In the bottom of the fifth, reliever Pitcher struck out Adam "Sweet Swede" Beckstead. Sak and Frenchie Andy Bourois flew out, ending the game early.

AF Caveman 16-Under Team Wins 10-4 at Skyline July 23

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 16-under age division team finished their regular season with a 10-4 win at Skyline during Utah Baseball Academy League action July 23.

AKA the Chirpers, the Skyline Eagles controlled the game for only the first two innings. In the top of the first, Awesome Caveman Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead singled in Kastan Rasmussen for the game's first run. Loading the bases on one out in the bottom of the first, Skyline tied the game at one on a Saint Nick Scott walk. The next inning, pitcher Scott struck out Ryan "Rhino" Thompson and Gunner Lamb while forcing Jaden Fox to ground out. During the bottom of the second, Hunter Wack singled in Ethan "Digger" Ritchie to put the Chirpers ahead.

In the top of the third, Greg Knight bunted a single that loaded the bases on no outs. Rasmussen singled in Spencer "Rooney Shelton to set a five-run rally for American Fork. During the rally, Holmstead singled in two run, and he came home on a Jaden Fox sacrifice groundout. Right afterwards, Gunner Lamb chopped a single, and he stole into scoring position, but the Chipers got him stuck at third.

Singles from Sammy Chapman and Kyle Evans enabled the Chirpers to load the bases, but center fielder Rasmussen intercepted a Ritchie fly ball to end the inning. 

The Awesome Cavemen held the Chirpers scoreless during the next four innings. For in example, in the fourth, right fielder Buster "Bunny" Hardman's catch of a Wack fly ball kept Brenden Lacey stuck on base after he hit a two-out single.

Meanwhile, American Fork extended its lead. In the fourth, a Jace Ibarra sacrifice fly scored Kelly Sobotka. In the fifth, a Knight single scored Thompson, who had singled on two outs into left. In the sixth, Lamb chopped a second straight single to bring home Ibarra who had doubled on one out. Thompson knocked in Fox to complete American Fork scoring for the night.

In the bottom of the seventh, Wilson "Corporal" Battle doubled in a run, and then came home himself while American produced a double play that ended the game.

Awesome AF Caveman Varsity B Team Drops UBAL Playoff Game to Bingham Pickers July 25
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's varsity B team couldn't survive the first round of the Utah Baseball Academy League's postseason tournament July 25. In a 17-under age division playoff game in South Jordan that day, the Bingham Pickers buried them alive by a score of 4-2.

Both teams played extremely good defense, knowing that any small mistake could cost them a chance for their age division's age state pennant.

During the top of the first, Awesome Cavemen Hayden "Chief Woody" Wood and Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead got on base through a walk and an error respectively. Bingham kept them stranded on base, however.

On one out in the bottom of the first, Picker Landon "Wally" Walbeck singled into right, but the Awesome Cavemen pinched him in a forceout at second. Second baseman Holmstead grounded out Sean "Senator" Keating to end the opening inning in a scoreless deadlock.

Efforts to break the 0-0 tie proved futile in the second inning. Awesome Jake Norton, for example, whacked a two-only single into left, only to see pitcher Walbeck ground out Seth "Needles" Taylor. Bingham got a one-out single from Makord Larsen in the bottom of the second, but the Awesome Cavemen kept him stuck on base.

The scoreless deadlock continued until the bottom of the third. Having bunted a one-out single, Picker Brayden "Fiddle" Diddle came home on a two-out single that Walbeck blasted into left. Tyler "Zipper" Zupon tripled in Walbeck to send the Pickers with a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning.

In the fourth, Sir Turner Knight slugged a one-out single to move Taylor "Guard Dog" Gardner to third. After reliever Keating accidently beaned A.J. Jones, Justin "Time" DeMarco singled in Gardner. Keating averted an American Fork rally by retiring Mic Madsen and grounding out Norton.

Through his throws to first base, Holmstead didn't let any Pickers get on base during the fourth's lower half.

In the top of the fifth, a Gardner single and a Kolby Willis walk gave American Fork a chance to slip ahead. However, the next three Awesome Caveman batters all got out before their team could score a run that inning.

Singling into center field during the bottom of the fifth, Beardon came home on a balk called against reliever Jones. Diddle came home on a Cody "Frying Pan" Kitchen sacrifice fly.

With Knight singling into center during the top of the sixth, Jones batted him in, only to become ensnared in a double play that undermined the Cavemen's attempt to catch up to the Pickers.

Keating opened the sixth's lower half with a left-field single. However, like Jones, he got ensnared into a double play, which also claimed Colin "Gordy" Gordon. Right afterwards,  Jones struck out Tanner Burr, a "distant cousin" of Canuck actor Raymond Burr, who played TV attorney Perry Mason in the late '50's and early '60's.

Walked by Keating at the start of the seventh, Madsen had a good chance of getting a rally going for his Awesome Cavemen. However, Madsen got called out when a Norton single beaned him in the left leg as he made a run towards second. The Pickers exploited that fatal single by getting the next two Awesome Cavemen out.

Awesome AF Cavebatters Survive Taylorsville Road Warriors in 2nd Round of UBAL Playoffs
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a second-round game of the playoffs for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under age state title, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen came from behind to triumph 3-2 at home against the Taylorsville Road Warriors July 26.

American Fork Coach Jarod "The Prankster" Ingersoll said, "We didn't execute like we should have early in the game. We did get some good bunts that turned the game around for us near the end."

The Road Warriors were supposed to play the Alta Hawks, AKA the Tweeties, in a first-round game July 25. However, the Tweeties chickened out rather than dare to go against the Road Warriors. In having won the first-round contest by default, Taylorsville had its top pitcher Jordan "GoGo" West fresh and ready to do battle against the Awesome Cavemen on the 26th.

The game opened with pitcher Craig Brailsford striking out Darius Sisneroes. Things turned scary for the Awesome Cavemen as Brailford walked Nate "Fabio" Cook and gave up a single to Kenny Atwood. Shortstop Kody "Coco" Hall grounded out Jordan West, and Brailsford retired Ryland "Bedrock" Shimrock.

Pitcher West didn't let a single Awesome Caveman get on base in the bottom of the first. In fact, he didn't let American Forkers make any hits until the bottom of the third. In the meantime, a strong Awesome Caveman defense prevented the Road Warriors from capitalizing on a Grayson Johnson double slugged in the top of the second.

On two outs in the bottom of the third, Hall slugged a center-field single that moved Emmett "Greenie" Green to third. In trying to pick Hall off, West lobbed a bad throw past first base. Green zipped home.

American Fork's lead didn't last for long. In the top of the fourth, the Awesome Cavemen slipped behind Taylorsville quicker than you could say Ali Lamb Chop, for Pat Oaf batted a fly ball deep into left, letting West and Shimrock race home on two outs.

The Road Warriors' 2-1 lead turned the game into a desperate battle of survival for the Awesome Cavemen. Unlike Utah High School Activities Association baseball tournaments, UBAL playoffs follow a single-elimination format. So with their backs against the proverbial wall, the Awesome Cavemen staged a valiant comeback try.

Though American Fork didn't let the Road Warriors put any runners on base in the top of the fifth, its lower hall saw West hold the Awesome Cavemen scoreless. The situation became more desperate for American Fork in the bottom of the sixth. The Awesome Cavemen didn't snap under the immense stress of that inning. An error by first baseman Cook let Koy "Squeez Toy" Dibb get on base, and Brailsford bunted a single that moved his teammate into scoring position. A close relative of American Fork High wrestling legends John "Superstud" Bartholomew and Rick "Dr. Death" Bartholomew, Andy singled in Dibb and Brailsford. Although West shut American Fork down right after that big hit, he couldn't repair the damage done by Bartholomew's single.

In the top of the seventh, reliever Autstin Pitcher struck out Johnson, Oaf, and Nate "Herman" Hess to seal the win for American Fork.

During the quarterfinals the next morning, the Awesome Cavemen came out with a 5-2 win at home over the Spanish Fork Dons. The Don players made a convincing case in the quarterfinal that Spanish Fork boys were as manly as their town's girls. (Spanish Fork girls are so masculine that messing with them is risking a week's stay in a hospital.) Anyhow,  American Fork Coach Scott Jeppson said, "We were ahead 2-0. Suddenly, Spanish Fork scored two runs in the fifth to tie the game. We scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to win the game.

"Austin Pitcher threw the first six innings for us. Hayden Wood then threw for us in the seventh. Wood struck out two guys, gave up a single, and made a batter pop out.. Craig Brailsford knocked in three RBI's for us, including a one-run single and a two-run, double clear to the center-field fence. Koy knocked hit a one-run double for us."

Awesome AF Cavemen's 16-Under Team Squeezes Out 1-0 Win Over Vicious Viewmont Vikings In Second-Round UBAL Action July 27
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Even though the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 5-2 win over the Spanish Fork Dons in a 17-Under Age Division quarterfinal was thrilling, it's excitement could not surprise the 1-0 win that American Fork had posted over the Vicious Viewmont Vikings' 16-under team in a second-round game of the Utah Baseball Academy League's playoffs.

The game was so tight that its outcome had to be decided by an error and a passed ball in the fourth inning.

Having sunk the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings the night before, the Vicious Vikings showed up at American Fork on July 27 ready to make short work of the Awesome Cavemen. However, Viewmont got served a surprise when pitcher Buster "Bunny" Hardman proved to be way more difficult than the Vicious Vikings had expected. Hardman didn't let them make any hits until the top of the third. That inning, Vicious Viking Ashton "The Electric Organ" Hammond hit an infield single. Although Hammond did steal second, he became stranded on base.

The opening of the third's lower half opened with a strong hope of Gunner Lamb chopping a hit deep into left. However, he flew out, and Viewmont kept denying him chances for chopping a big hit for the rest of the game.

In the top of the fourth, Jake "Blackie" Marks got on base through an error in left field. The error could have proved fatal to American Fork, but Hardman grounded out Alex "Al-Rod" Rodiguez, and then caused the next two Vicious Vikings to fly out into deep field.

During the bottom of the fourth, Awesome Caveman Kastan Rasmussen got on base through an error at first. A Hardman sacrifice bunt moved Ramussen to third. On two outs, Rasmussen came home on a passed ball. Teammate Scotty Hughes also got on base through an error, but the Vicious Vikings kept him stuck on base.

The next three innings became nerve-wracking moments for fans as they watched to see which team would make a fatal mistake or register a big hit. Both teams played incredibly great defense during those last three innings. In the fifth, for example, speedy outfielders intercepted fly balls that Jake "Bang Bang" Bangeter and Bulldog Connor hit in hopes of reeling in Brayden Hearse, who Hardman had walked that inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Mike Hugley smacked a left-field single for the only Awesome Caveman hit of the game. Although the Vicious Vikings prevented American Fork from capitalizing on Hugely's hit, Rasmussen had already done the damage to end Viewmont's season. It concluded with American Fork pinching Bo Ty in a squeeze play between first and second.

Ferocious PG Viking Win Over Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats

Timp Sports Weekly

July 30, 2013

Publisher's Message

With the Utah Baseball Academy League's summer season winding down, we're going to be looking at  some of the games played in the last full week UBAL action. One of the ones that stand out in my mind is the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' 12-2 win at home over the Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats. While we also be looking at some other game stories from the past week, Pleasant Grove's win over Brighton will be our cover article. Let's get to that story.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Ferocious  PG Vikings Win 12-2 Over Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats July 19

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a 17-under age division game for the Utah Baseball Academy July 19, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Bad Old Brighton Puddy Tats 12-2.

In the top of the first, pitcher Easton Walker gave up one hit to the Bad Old Puddy Tats, but he held them scoreless. In the bottom of the first, Walker knocked in a run to start off a five-run stampede for his Ferocious Vikings. During that scoring rally, Peyton Henry and Brody Blackhurst each doubled in two runs.

Walker gave up a single to Bad Old Puddy Tat Taylor Prokopis, but he continued keeping Brighton from picking up runs. The Ferocious Viking pitcher held those Bad Old Puddy Tats scoreless until the sixth, even though Brayden Bagley singled off him in third and C.J. "Papa Goose" Orchard hit a fourth-inning double off Walker.

In the meanwhile, the Ferocious Vikings continued building up their lead. In the second, Walker hit one-run double, and he then came home on a Jade Smoot single. Gavin "Grizzly" Bahr hit a solo omer in the third, and in the fourth, Walker singled Matt Wilde in.

The Bad Old Puddy Tats held Pleasant Grove scoreless in the fifth. In the sixth, Prokopis and Zach Conner each hit a two-out, one-run single for Brighton. Its comeback attempt collapsed with Adam Wright flying out to center field.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wilde clubbed two-out single into center. Walker singled him in. Soon, Jade Smoot tripled in Walker and Peterson to win the game for the Ferocious Vikings.

Lehi Froggies Corral Cottonwood Ponies 10-2 in UBAL 16-Under Age Division Game July 20
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a 16-under age division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League July 20, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, corralled the Cottonwood Colts, AKA the Ponies, 10-2 at home. The game closed out the Froggies' home season.

The Ponies kept the game close during the first two inning. In the top of the first, for instance, Jeff "Matador" Borguez singled into right, and on one, McKoy "Do the Hustle" Williams singled him in. Before the Ponies could improve their 1-0 lead, pitcher Zane Longman, a brother of Lehi baseball Dakota Longman, caused Drew "Clue" Staley to put out to second base and Chris "Ginzu" Okamato to ground out.

The Froggies hopped all over the Ponies in the bottom of the first as everyone on the Lehi batting order took a turn at the plate that inning. A Kayden Henderson single resulted in Lehi loading the bases on no outs. Ty James doubled Henderson and Logan "Wazzy" Wassmer in. On two outs, Mouse Russon singled in Broc Hansen, and then scored Lehi's fourth run on a passed ball.

Hit by a Longman pitch in the second inning, Cam "Big Bam" Barlowe soon came home on one out. That turned out to be the closest that the Ponies could get to the Froggies, even though Cottonwood did hold Lehi scoreless in the bottom of the second. In retaliation for Barlowe's theft of home plate, Longman caused Beanie Feeney to ground out and Donnie Corley to strike out. Cottonwood did continue making hits in the game, though. Okamato produced a single at the start of the fourth. Staley singled for the Ponies in the sixth, and so did Sarge Carter in the seventh.

Meanwhile, the Froggies continued hopping way ahead of the Ponies. In the third inning, for example, Longman stole home while a Henderson single reeled in Stockton "Stock" Birch. In the fourth, Kelton Higgins doubled in Hansen, who had hit a right-field single at the start of the inning's lower half. The Froggies' next two fourth-inning runs came on a Russon sacrifice groundout and a passed ball. In the fifth, Lehi scored its 10th and final run as shortstop Staley turned up a double play.

The Ponies held the Froggies scoreless in the sixth to prolong the game to the seventh. The prolonging couldn't save the Ponies from getting corralled by their croaking hosts.

Lehi Coach Rick Russon said, "Our key are our fielding and hitting. We have a lot of good hitters, and when we field the ball good, we can hold our ground. Our fielding kept Cottonwood at bay."

Lehi's Hopes for a 15-Under Division State Title End on a Baad Note, Thanks to Highland Lambs
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

After having to stay home from the Utah High School Association's 5-A baseball tournament last spring, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, were counting on making up for the lost opportunity through doing awesome in the Utah Baseball Academy League's post-season playoffs for the 15-under age division pennant.

However, the successful season that they had enjoyed this summer couldn't turn out to be the springboard that the Froggies needed for hoping all the way to the 15-under age division state championship game. In an opening-round game at Lehi July 20, the Highland Rams, AKA the Lambs, butted Lehi out of the tournament by a score of 7-3.

The Froggies had to be given credit for playing some great defense. During the course of the playoff, they slapped the Lambs with a grand total of three double plays that all ended at home plate.

During the top of the first, the Lambs got singles from E.J. "Big Swig" Parkin and Nate "Rippin' Roddy" Rodderick. Lehi pitcher Trent Rigby struck out three out of the next four Lamb batters to hold Highland scoreless that inning.

On out in the bottom of the first, Kayden Henderson singled into right. He soon attempted to score on a Broc Hansen double. However, Henderson got tagged at home. As the Highland Lambs would declare, that play at home went down as a baad omen for the Froggies.

Doubling into left at the start of the second, Abe Olsen soon came home on a Parkin single. Lamb pitcher Trent "Stingray" Gregg held Lehi scoreless in the first two innings. Finally in the bottom of the third, Braden Olsen, a "distant cousin" of Superman comic book character Jimmy Olsen, singled into left, and on two outs, River "Chivalry" Chivera singled him in.

Parkin answered that RBI by slugging a one-run single right after Lehi had slugged the Lambs with a fourth-inning double play.

In the top of the fifth, Poppin' Jaden Brown slugged a left-field double, but the Froggies snagged him in a double play. Reliever Tanner Russon struck out Wooly Brent to retire the Lambs to the field. Highland kept Lehi from capitalizing on fifth-inning singles hit by Chivera and Trent.

Holding the Lambs scoreless again in the top of the sixth, the Froggies finally caught up with them in the bottom of the inning. Singles from Russon and Birch raised Lehi hopes for hopping from behind. Braden Walker singled them on no outs. Brown promptly took over pitching duties at that point, and he kept the Froggies scoreless for the rest of the game.

The Lambs loaded the bases on no outs in the top of the seventh. Brown singled in two runs, setting off a four-run rally that broke Lehi's efforts to pieces, despite a right-field single that Chivera slugged in the bottom of the inning.

Lehi Froggies' Croakin' 8 Defeat Skyline Chirpers 17-12 in UBAL 17-Under Age Division Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Despite having eight players turn out for a road game at Skyline July 17, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, still hopped past the Skyline Eagles, AKA the Chirpers, 17-12.

It took the Froggies, AKA the Croakin' Eight, four innings to take control of the game. Despite a first-inning slugged by Froggie Cam Grace, Lehi couldn't pick up any runs in the first two innings. Meanwhile, the Chirpers built a 2-0 lead in those two opening innings. In the first inning's lower half, Chirper Abe "Black Bear" Yagi slugged a two-out single to drive in Jake "The Jumpin' Dutchman" Vanamen. The next inning saw Chirper Levi "Mummy" Mumford single in Nick "Great" Scott.

The Croakin' Eight finally caught up with the Chirpers in the top of the third. On one out that inning, Ryan Absher tripled in Caiden "Diggin's" Higgins. A Grace single scored Absher for a tying run. Skyline flew back out in front 3-2 through Yagi doubling in Demitri "Gummy Bear" Sak.

The Chirpers' 3-2 lead could not survive the heat of the fourth inning's top half. It opened with Terry Paxton singling into left. After Grant Dixon flew out to center fielder Riley "Big Sky" Hennings, Higgins singled in Paxton to unleash a six-run rally for Lehi. It had much to croak about that inning. What were some of the things that made the Froggies croak proudly about it? Well, there was a Ryan Barnes, one-run double. There was also Ty James' two-run single that occurred right after Lehi had loaded the bases on one out. Finally, a two-out, one-run single hit by Dixon created an 8-3 lead that left Lehi quite happy -- correction, quite hoppy.

Skyline had to be given credit for tying to make a comeback after getting drenched in a flood of Lehi runs that inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Bridger "Valley" Nielson doubled into left, and he soon stole home. A Chris "Rugs" Shraegh sacrifice fly scored Scott. Lehi prevented the Chirpers from making any more runs in the fourth.

In the sixth, Barnes doubled in James on one out to unleash another six-run flood for Lehi. During that rally, Higgins singled in a run and Absher tripled in another two.

The Chirpers made sure that the Froggies' 14-5 lead would not spell an early end for Skyline. After soon as the Chirpers had loaded the bases on two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Hennings tripled in three runs, and he came home on a Nielsen single. Nielsen soon stole home to cut the lead to 14-10.

In the sixth's top half, James singled into left, only to get pinched in a fielder's choice play at second. On two outs, Barnes scored on an error at first. Lehi soon loaded the base afterwards, and Absher knocked in a run. Skyline didn't let the Croakin' Eight make any more runs after the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, one-run singles, hit by Vanamen and Sak, moved the Chirpers within 17-12. The next inning, they loaded the bases through a Yagi double, a Nielson single, and a Scott walk. Just as the Chirpers appeared destined to stage a fly-from-behind win, Brock "Four Tops" Kennick flew out to center field, ending the game.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Lone Peak Loners 8-3 in UBAL 17-Under Age Division Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Utah Baseball Academy League game for the 17-under age division, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, 8-3 at American Fork July 15.

During the top of the first, the Awesome Cavemen turned up a double play that held the Loners to one hit and scoreless. In the bottom of the fourth, the Awesome Cavemen went on a four-run scoring run.

In the top of the second, Tate Hansen rifled a single in hopes of setting off a Loner comeback. The Loners did deliver a big slash to the Awesome Cavemen's lead that inning. Nick "Buzzer" Larsen singled in Mikey Evans, and he scored a run on an error. In the bottom of the second, Emmitt Green slugged a single in hopes of getting another Awesome Caveman rally going, but the Loners kept him stuck on base.

American Fork chucker Austin "Oh, Yeah, Baby" Pitcher held the Loners scoreless during the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. That didn't stop Chandler Goeckeritz and Connor Boyd from whacking a third-inning single and a fifth-inning double respectively.

In the bottom of the third, an Andy Bartholomew single moved Koy "Squeeze Toy" Dibb into scoring position. Dibb soon scored a run while Bartholomew got tossed out during an attempted steal to second.

The Awesome Cavemen didn't pick up any more runs until the bottom of the sixth. Aided by a Dibb single, American Fork went on a three-run rally through Logan Flinders, Riley Winter, and Bartholemew each singling in a run.

One of the two Gockeritz triplets playing for the Loners, Brooks Gockeritz scored an seventh-inning run while the Awesome Cavemen beaned Lone Peak with a double play. Larsen flew out to center before his Loners could score any more runs in the seventh.

Bingham Pickers Dig Out 15-4 Win Against Awesome AF Cavemen in July 15 UBAL Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen got caved in 15-4 by the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, in a July 15 game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under age division. Played at American Fork, the game showed why the Pickers had maintained a long tradition of quality baseball.

That fact was shown in the top of the first. Ty Zupon singled in Cody Kitchen to set off a four-run rally for the Pickers that inning. One-run singles from Sean "Senator Kenny" Keating and Colin "Gordy" Gordon kept the rally going strong. By the time, the Awesome Cavemen finally shut down the rally, they could be seen scratching their heads in figuring out how to club their way back into the game.

Pitcher Kitchen held them scoreless in the bottom of the first. The next inning, though, Mic Madsen doubled in Taylor "Guard Dog" Gardner and Coleman "Lantern" Shearer. Though an A.J. Jones double enabled American Fork to load the bases soon afterwards, the Pickers didn't let the Awesome Cavemen deliver any more cuts to Bingham's 4-2 lead.

The Pickers prevented American Fork from making any runs during the next four innings, despite a Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead double in the sixth.

In the third, Keating singled in Zupon, only to get stuck on base. On one out in the fourth, Parker Littlewood doubled into center, and a Bridger Jensen double brought him home. Jensen then came on a Spencer "Summer in the Streets" Esty single.

American Fork kept the Pickers from scoring any runs during the fifth and sixth innings. The Pickers made up for the two-inning scoring drought in the seventh's top half. Singling at the start of it, Zupon came home on a Gordon sacrifice fly to set off an eight-run rally, which saw Kitchen whack a grand slam.

Despite the thumping administered to them in the top of the inning, the Awesome Cavemen still managed to pick up runs in the bottom of the seventh. On one out, Madsen doubled in Gardner, and Shearer scored on a Jake Norton sacrifice fly. The rally collapsed through Hayden "Chief Woody" Wood striking out.

'Baad' Weather Forced Loner-AF 16-Under Age Division Game to End in Scoreless Tie
By Dean Von Memmott 
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

As Lone Peak Coach Rob Lamb might say,  a case of baad weather forced the July 16 Awesome American Fork Caveman-Lone Peak Knight game to end in a scoreless tie.

Played at American Fork, the game saw the Awesome Cavemen unable to make any hits during the four full innings that the action lasted. American Fork made up for that problem by playing great defense each inning.

In the top of the first inning, for example, the Knights, AKA the Loners, got singles from Kennon Kelshaw and Seth "I'm not Richard" Correy. Nevertheless, pitcher Jaden Fox stuck out Caden Lundquist and Jackson McChesney. Ben "Buckshot" Rasband flew out to left Gunner Lamb, who couldn't chop any hits in the game.

Gunner's cousin Talmage Lamb chopped a second-inning single, but he got pinched in a double play turned out by shortstop Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead.

When the fourth inning ended in a scoreless deadlock, heavy rain set in and made the field unplayable. The contest will not be replayed until next year.

Awesome AF Cavemen's 16-Under Team Suffers Home Loss to Spanish Fork July 18
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Even though it's easy to dismiss the Spanish Fork Dons' boy athletes as being very girly, it has to be remembered that they have been known to be as tough as their town's manly girls. (Hey, never mess with a Spanish Fork girl. Very muscular, she will knock you out cold with just one punch.)

The Dons showed their toughness in a 16-under age division game that they played on the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's home diamond during Utah Baseball Academy League action July 18. Spanish Fork defeated American Fork 6-2 in the game.

Walked by pitcher Jace Ibarra in the top of the first, Don Nick Harrison scored the game's first run on a Quickly Nolan Golish sacrifice groundout. American Fork received a great chance at erasing the Dons' 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Singles from Buster "Bunny" Hardman and Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead put the Awesome Cavemen in fine position that innning, but third baseman Colt Creer grounded out Jaden Fox to end the inning with the Dons still ahead 1-0.

Pitcher Zak Harrison held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the second and third innings. Ibarra kept the Dons from extending their 1-0 lead until the top of the fourth. It opened with Reno "Needle" Rivera  doubling into left. Zak Harrison doubled him in, and then game home on a Golish single.

Getting on base through a fourth-inning walk, Awesome Caveman Kastan Ramussen moved to third on a Hardman double hit into right field. A Holmstead sacrifice fly scored Rasmussen. Hardman came home a Mikey Hughes sacrifice fly. Zak Harrison grounded out Fox before American Fork could tie the game at three.

In the fifth's top half, Luke Kendrick singled in Riley Daniels on one out. The Dons extended their lead further the next inning when Golish hit a two-run double into left.

American Fork came really close to staging a rally in the bottom of the sixth. That inning, the Awesome Cavemen loaded the bases on singles clubbed by Rasmussen, Hardman, Greg Knight. Shortstop Devin Jamison grounded out Hollmstead, ending the inning before American Fork could at least a third run. The Awesome Cavemen never got another chance to score any more runs.

Lone Peak Loners' 5-4 Win Over Jordan Plowboys

Timp Sports Weekly

July 16, 2013

Publisher's Message

Our cover story for this week's issue will be the 5-4 win that the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, posted on the Sandy diamond of the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, in a 17-under age division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League. Let's take a swing at that story.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lone Peak Loners Plow Jordan Plowboys Under 5-4 in 17-Under Age Division Game for UBAL July 8

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Although the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, are still figuring out where they are going to get their next head baseball coach for the 2014 season, they already know that they have a squad of good hitters and fielders quite capable of pulling off dramatic come-from-behind victories at any unexpected time. 

The Loners proved that July 8 when they came from behind to win 5-4 over the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys, in a 17-under age division game for the Utah Baseball Academy League. Played at Jordan, the game took various surprising turns during the course of its seven innings.

The Loners found Plowboy pitcher Drew "The Disk" Lisk quite a challenge during the innings that he threw against them. In the top of the first, for instance, he struck out Trevor LaHargoue and Lord Sterling Larsen while causing Grant "Plymouth Rock" Lyman to ground out. Though Lisk walked Hunter Christensen that inning, the pitcher still held the Loners scoreless.

In the bottom of the inning, Lisk flew out to center fielder LaHargoue. A "distant cousin" of Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway and Beverly Hillbillies character Jane Hathaway, Kale Hathaway singled hit a one-out single into left field. Before the Plowboys could profit from that hit, shortstop Christensen turned up the first of three double plays that he initiated in the game.

The Loners received a golden chance for getting on the board first when they loaded the bases on two outs in the second's top half. However, Austin Walker got pinched in a fielder's choice play at second, retiring Lone Peak to the field.

The second's lower half opened with third baseman Lyman intercepting a Seth "Coconut" Butterfield line fly. In response, Cody Davis singled off pitcher Jack "Hammer" Bateman. A "distant cousin" of late US Senator Everett "Ev" Dirkson, Jake "The Rake" Dirkson doubled in Davis, and then scored a run himself just before the Loners nailed teammate Hunter "Safari" Jones in a squeeze play between first and second.

The Plowboys' newly created 2-0 lead received a big slash in the top of the third. Smacking a one-out single into left, Christensen soon came home on a two-out Larsen single. Larsen tried turning his hit into a double, but the Plowboys tagged him second, retiring the Loners to the field.

In the bottom of the fourth, Hathaway and Seth "Coconut" Butterfield smacked singles off Bateman. Christensen's second double play damaged the Plowboys' chances for extending their lead that inning. It ended with left fielder Zach Hales catching a Davis fly ball.

The Plowboys finally lost their lead in the top of the fifth. On two outs that inning, Larsen doubled in LaHargoue, who had belted a left-field single a few minutes before. Larsen then raced home on a passed ball to put his Loners ahead 3-2.

Having hit a one-out, infield single in the bottom of the fifth, Dirkson scored a tying run, courtesy of a Cade "Prince" Butterfield double. Cade got stuck at second, because of Hales' catch of a Lisk fly ball.

The sixth opened with Braden Harris singling into center. Harris soon came home on a Hales sacrifice fly. The Loners' 4-3 lead stayed intact through Bateman not letting any Plowboys get on first base during the bottom of the sixth.

Singling into left at the start of the seventh, Lyman got forced at second. With LarHargoue grounding out to Lisk, the Loners seemed certain of not being able to pick up an insurance run. Singles from Christensen and Larsen kept alive the Loners' hope of gaining a fifth run. That hope came true, because Bateman knocking in Christensen. Bateman tried to turn his one-run single into a double, but the Plowboys forced him out at seecond.

After singling into left during the bottom of the seventh, Davis soon scored a run on a passed ball. With Parker Anderson waiting on base, the Plowboys seemed certain of at least forcing an eighth inning. Christensen prevented the occurrence of an extra inning. First, he grounded out Dirkson. Christensen then snared a Jones pop fly to turn up his third double play for the night.

Lone Peak Coach Roger Lyman said, "The defense we played tonight was exception. We kept focused on catching flies and recovering groundballs. We made three double plays in very crucial moments. Jack is not our usual pitcher, but he did really good in throwing strikes tonight. He kept throwing pitches that were solid and smooth. He stayed consistent on the mound."

Jordan Plowboys Harvest 9-8 Win Over Ferocious PG Vikings' 16-Under Age Division Team UBAL Play July 9
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

AKA the Plowboys, the Jordan Beetdiggers harvested a 9-8 win at home against the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' 16-under age division team in Utah Baseball Academy League play July 9.

Though the Ferocious Vikings scored a run in the top of the first, they lost complete control of the game in the bottom of second. Spurred on by Cade "Prince" Butterfield's double, the Plowboys went on a four-run rally in the second inning. They picked up two runs in the third inning and another three in the fourth.

Held scoreless in the second and third innings, the Ferocious Vikings finally scored their second run in the top of the fourth. A two-out single hit by Iron Reed Norman in the top of the fifth gave Pleasant Grove a chance of going on a rally, but Tristan "Bacon" Makin flew out to left field.

Though Plowboy Brett Randall got on base at the start of the fifth's lower half, he got stuck on base as he watched Skeeter Layton fly out to center field while  Beverly Hillbilllies character Jane Hathaway's "distant cousin" Tate "Meteor" Hathaway got grounded out with Austin Zacherson.

Having kept the Plowboys' 9-2 lead from swelling in the bottom of the fifth, the Ferocious Vikings proceeded to slash away at it in the top of the sixth. It opened with Cam Howe hitting a single, only to get pinched in a fielder's choice play at second. That setback didn't stop Derek Wall from doubling Jake Jensen, starting a long rally. During it, Staley Hangsen singled in Wall on two outs. Ethan Coombs and Iron Reed Norman each slugged a two-run double to put the Ferocious Vikings within 9-8. Suddenly, Makin struck out, stopping Pleasant Grove's shocking comeback cold.

Ferocious Viking Coach Mark Norman said, "In the sixth, their pitcher couldn't stay on his mark with his throwing. That allowed us to make big hits into deep pockets, making it possible for us to come back within one run."

Awesome AF Cavebatters Dig out a 4-2 Win Over Bingham Pickers in UBAL 17-Under Age Division Game July 10
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 17-under age division B team posted a 4-2 win over the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, in a Utah Baseball Academy League game at South Jordan's Bailey Santisvan Field July 10.

If things had gone the way I had planned that Wednesday, I would have been covering at American Fork a baseball doubleheader. The first game was supposed to have the Awesome Cavemen's 15-under age division team against the Lehi Froggies' No. 2 team. The doubleheader was to close out with a showdown between the Awesome Cavemen's 17-under age division A team against the Vicious Viewmont Vikings. Guess what happened. When I showed at the Awesome Cavemen's baseball diamond around 3:30 p.m., neither Lehi nor American Fork's 15-under age division teams were present. The only players there were varsity Awesome Cavemen getting in some batting practice.

An American Fork granny showed up at the facility in hopes of watching her 15-year-old grandson play in the first game of the supposed doubleheader. She left with a disappointed look.

Rather than wait around for the American Fork-Viewmont contest, scheduled for 6 p.m., I went with members of the Awesome Cavemen's varsity B team to South Jordan for a game against the Pickers.
When we got within a few blocks of Bingham High, American Fork assistant varsity coach Jay Holmstead, an uncle of high school baseball umpire Slim Holmstead, received a call on his cell phone. After Jay got down talking, he said to me, "It's a good thing you came with us. That was Viewmont's head coach. He said he couldn't get enough guys together to come down to play our older varsity team."

The backstory I've just presented demonstrates how life can spring surprises. The Pickers found that out  in their July 10 game against my Awesome Cavemen. Bingham led American Fork for the first five innings, creating the impression that the Pickers would post a narrow win. However, a four-run rally staged by the always Awesome Cavemen shattered Bingham's victory hopes in the sixth. Since you're itching for all of the exciting details of the game, I am going to delve into them right now.

For one thing, the game went down as an amazing pitching duel between Awesome Caveman AJ Jones and Picker Jaden Anderson.

Even though Anderson gave up a single to Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead in the top of the first, the Bingham pitcher struck out Hayden "Chief Woody" Wood and Justin DeMarco while causing Seth Taylor to ground out to third baseman Connor Goff.

Singngling into right during the bottom of the first, Hayden "Hay Bales" Cloward soon came home a two-out single rifled by Trevor "Tremor" Carlile. Third baseman Colby Willis grounded out Tait Trevor to retire the Pickers to the field.

In the top of the second, Mic Madsen hit a single and Buster "Bunny" Hardman a double for American Fork, but both Awesome Cavemen got stuck on base. Jones didn't let any Pickers get on base during the bottom of the second.

On the two outs, Speedster Holmstead hit his second straight single in the top of the third, only to see DeMarco pop out to first baseman Carlile.

Cloward's two-out double couldn't stir up a rally for the Pickers in the third, for Jones struck out Goff to end the inning.

The problem of leaving runners on base continued plaguing both teams through the course of the game. That proved particularly frustrating for Picker Austin "Super Spy" Flores, who opened the fourth's lower half with a left-field single, and the next three Bingham players all got out before he could score the Pickers' second run of the night.

Although Wood's two-out, fifth-inning single failed to generate a scoring rally for the Awesome Cavemen, that hit still proved to be a source of encourage for them. Finally in the sixth, they staged a decisive rally. It began with Madsen singling in Taylor on one out. Hardman double in Madsen, and then came home on a Jones single. A Jace Ibarra single brought Jones in for the final Caveman run.

American Fork continued holding Bingham scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. Unable to have picked up an insurance run in the top of the seventh, the Awesome Cavemen hoped to make short work of the Pickers in the bottom of the inning. Its lower half unfolded with Jones striking out Tanner Burr and right fielder Taylor picking off an Anderson fly ball. Just as the Pickers appeared done for, Sam "Mont" Montmorcy and Ward Larsen each singled off Jones. Montormorcy came home on a passed ball.  It scared American Fork fans. Center fielder Wood saved American Fork's tail, though, catching Cloward fly ball to end the game.

Awesome AF Cavebatters Defeat Bingham Pickers' 16-Under Division Team in UBAL Play July 11
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Playing in  light rain on their home field July 11, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers, 6-5 in a game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 16-under age division.

A "distant relative" of Riverton Silverpup girls' basketball legend Morgan Littlewood, Parker Littlewood got on base through a walk. After pitcher Buster "Bunny" Hardman struck out Parley "P" Yazzie, Nolan "Thunder" Anglebauer singled Littlewood in. First baseman Ryan Thompson grounded out Logan "Bullwhip" Leatherwood and Stockton "Stock" Clark, keeping the Picker lead stuck at 1-0.

In the bottom of the first, American Fork got off to a bad start. No. 1 hitter Jaden Fox grounded out to shortstop Tanner "Big Max" Maxfield, and No. 2 hitter Hardman flew out to right fielder Yazzie. Jace Ibarra and Mikey Huegley each rifled a single in hopes of getting a two-out rally going. Pitcher Brock Beardon sabotaged that effort through striking out Spencer "Rooney" Shelton.

The Pickers stayed ahead for the first 2 1/2 innings. American Fork did receive a good chance at getting onto the scoreboard when Gunner Lamb chopped a second-inning double on one out. However, Lamb became stuck on base as he watched Beardon strike out Greg Knight and caused Kaleb Greening to fly out to left fielder Anglebauer.

On two outs in the top of the third, Anglebauer doubled in Parker "Silver" Hammer. A Leatherwood single moved Anglebauer to third, but catcher Shelton grounded out Clark to prevent a long Picker rally.

During two outs in the bottom of the third, Beardon walked Hardman and Ibarra. Huegley doubled in his two teammates, and he then scored a go-ahead run on a Shelton double.

Bingham tied the game at three through Porter Richards coming home on an American Fork, third-inning error at first. The 3-3 deadlock lasted until the bottom of the fifth. Its lower half opened with Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead singling into left. A Hardman sacrifice bunt scored Holmstead. Huegly singled in Ibarra, and he then came home on a Shelton single.

The next inning, Clark and Richards each singled. Their hits soon gave American Fork much worry, for both Clark and Richards soon raced home, putting their Pickers within 6-5.

Bingham held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh, Yazzie and Taylor "Chiller" Burr each slugged a single, giving the Pickers a chance of at least forcing the game into an eighth inning. However, Shelton tagged a pinch runner at home to end the game. The pinch runner threw his helmet down in anger immediately after the tag, and Bingham Coach Big Bill McDonald shouted at him, "You pick your helmet up!" The pinch runner complied reluctantly.

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Vicious Viewmont Vikings 14-4 in 16-Under Age Division Game For UBAL
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Utah Baseball Academy League play at Pleasant Grove July 13, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings defeated the Vicious  Viewmont Vikings 14-4 in a 16-under age division game.

The Vicious Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. For the bottom of that inning, Ferocious Viking Tait Briggs doubled into center, and Cade Caldwell singled him in on two outs. Caldwell tried stealing second, but got put there.

Hitting a one-out double in the bottom of the second, Hayden Veenker, the son of former Pleasant Grove Review sportswriter Todd "The Flying Dutch Scribe" Veenker, came home on a single slugged by Derek "Banger" Wall.

The Ferocious Vikings' first lead vanished in the top of the third. With no outs, Austin "Midas" Steinke doubled in Josh "Quite Tall" Hansen and then scored a go-ahead run on Branden Varley's sacrifice groundout. Singles from Mikey Van Orden and Jake Stevens gave the Vicious Vikings hope for lengthening their 3-2 lead over Pleasant Grove. However, Pleasant Grove forced Van Orden out at second to end the third's top half.

Singling into left at the start of the third's lower half, Ethan Coombs soon came home on a Ty Wells single. Briggs tripled Wells in, and he then scored a run on a Coleman "This is Your Life" Edwards single.

In the top of the fourth, Pleasant Grove prevented a Taylor Jones double from launching a scoring rally. After having held the Vicious Vikings scoreless in the fourth's upper half, the Ferocious Vikings proceeded to thump them in the bottom of the inning. Getting on base through a walk,  Tristan "Tristy" Makin soon stole home, launching a six-run fueled by singles from Justin Francis, Logan Hooley, and Briggs.

In the top of the fifth, Steinke tripled in Hansen, but got stuck on base as he watched the next three Vicious Viking batters all get out. Because of the thumping that they had received in the fourth, the Vicious Vikings attempted to keep the game going until at least the seventh. However, Veenker delivered a devastating blow by doubled in Edwards and coming home on a Makin sacrifice grounded out. Walked by reliever Matt Nordell, Wall scored the game-ending run on a Francis single.

Pleasant Grove Coach Mark Norman said, "Our bats made up for the disappointing loss that we had at Jordan last Tuesday. We put lots of groundballs into play, and we found some good, deep holes to hit into."