Awesome AF Caveman-Lone Peak Loner Baseball Rivalry

Timp Sports Weekly

April 15, 2014

Publisher's Message

After having devoted the last two issues of this online sports magazine to coverage of Lehi Froggie baseball action, I am now going to devote the bulk of this particular issue to a weeklong series of baseball games between the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, and my Awesome American Fork Cavemen. Some of those contests were downright thrilling like the 12-inning varsity contest at Lone Peak, AKA Loner High. We will also see how the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen's softball team fared at  last Saturday's Provo Invitational. Let's take a look at how those teams' games turned played out.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavemen Post 11-9 Win In JV Action on Lone Peak Loners' Home Field April 10

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In April 10 junior varsity baseball action at Lone Peak, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen posted an 11-9 win over their arch rivals, the Lone Knights, AKA the Loners.

American Fork jayvee coach Jay Holmstead said, "Our pitchers [Sir] Turner Knight, Buster Hardman, and Seth Taylor threw very well. However, we had problems with our fielders backing up our pitchers. Our guys just didn't make some plays could have kept Lone Peak under control. However, they managed to move past their mistakes and keep coming back whenever Lone Peak would snatch the momentum from us. That was especially true when Lone Peak pulled ahead of us in the middle of the  game. We didn't let their lead discourage us."

From the opening pitch, the game displayed the kinds of excitement found in varsity contest. Receiving the game's first pitch from hurler Nick "The Quick" Larsen, Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead doubled into center. That hit turned out to be the first of three straight doubles hit by him during the game. A brother of former Salt Lake Community College Lady Bruiin hoop standout Hayley Holmstead, Speedster soon raced home on a Seth "Needles" Taylor single. A cousin of former Awesome Caveman baseball legend Brock "Legs" Lamb, Dallin Searle batted in Taylor, leaving American Fork with a 2-0 lead at the end of the first inning's top half.

The Awesome Cavemen fell behind during the first's lower half. It opened with Stevie Burraston getting on base through an error at first. The mistake proved to be immediately advantageous to the Loners\. Keenan Kelshaw whacked a left-field double that set the stage for the evaporation of the Awesome Cavemen's first lead. Nate "Phones" Call singled in Burraston and Kelshaw. Call then scord a go-ahead run on a two-out.  Connor Boyd single. American Fork retaliated by pinching Boyd in a fielder's choice play at second.

On two-outs in the top of the second, Mason Warenski singled into right, and Speedster Holmstead joined him on base via a walk. Taylor doubled in Warkenski to tie game at three. Taylor doubled in Holmstead and then came home on a go-ahead single hit by Justin DeMarco, a grandnephew of my former schoolmate Ken DeMarco. American Fork soon loaded the bases, and a Hayden "Chief" Wood walked brought in a run that improved American Fork's lead at 6-3. Pitcher Sir Turner Knight kept it intact by not letting any Loners get on base in the bottom of the second.

The Loners prevented the Awesome Cavemen from scoring any runs in the third, fourth, and fifth, despite a Wood single and a Holmstead second straight double. American Fork's inability to score during those innings enabled the Loners to retake the lead from the Awesome Cavemen. In the bottom of the third, for example, Matt "General" Lee doubled into left, and Riley "Hefty" Whimpey tripled him  in, and then he came home on a Larsen single to cut the lead to 6-5. Third baseman A.J. Jones grounded out Boyd to delay a Loner takeover of the lead. The takeover occurred in the bottom of the fifth. On one out that inning, Whimpsey singled in Seth Corry to open a three-run rally. During it, Lee came home on an error, and Boyd doubled in Whiimpsey to put Lone Peak ahead 7-6.

With Holmtead hitting his third straight double into left field on one out in the to of the sixth, Taylor singled in Colby Willis to tie the game at eight. DeMarco hit a tie-breaking, two-run single. On two outs, Ty "Guard Dog" Gardner singled in two runs that improved American Fork's lead at 11-8.

The bottom of the sixth opened with Burraston singling into center. However, reliever Taylor picked him off at first, and no more Loners could get on base that inning.

With the Loners holding the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the top of the seventh, Lone Peak. One out in the bottom of the seventh, Whimpey singled into left, and he came home on a Larsen single. When the Loners loaded the bases, American Fork pitching coach Sir Brock Knight had Buster "Bunny" Hardman take over at the mound. He caused Avery Goeckeritz to hit into a double play."

Awesome AF Cavebatters' Varsity Squad Defeats Lone Peak Loners in All 3 Games of Spring Break Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's varsity team spent its recent spring break defeating the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, in all three games played between the two schools last week. In the April 8 game at Lone Peak, the Awesome Cavemen had to go eight innings. in order to pull out a 3-2 win over the Loners. At American Fork April 9, the Awesome Cavemen subdued the Loners 7-1 in just the seven regulation innings for high school games. Two days later at Lone Peak, however, American Fork had to spend nearly four hours to beat the Loners 11-10 in a 12-inning game that  almost got suspended because of fading light.

Both of the Salt Lake City newspapers and the Provo rag sent reporters to cover games in the series. Those sportswriters' trips to those games proved to be worth their time. because of the excitement that they saw out on the diamond. Why those three dailies gave series so much ink was because it was a battle for sole possession of first in Region Four standings. Both the Awesome Cavemen and the Loners brought just one region loss into the series.

The one league loss that American Fork had suffered the week before was quite humiliating for the Awesome Cavemen, because it had been dealt to them by the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, coached by Jason Ingersoll, the little brother of American Fork head baseball coach Jarod Ingersoll. Although the Awesome Cavemen did atone for the loss by drying up Lehi in the other two games of their series against the Froggies, American Fork still had to accept the fact the defeat had the series against Lone Peak all more the more critical.

Game 1 of the series opened with Loner pitcher Grant Lyman striking out American Fork leadoff hitter Emmett Green. The pitcher then walked Kody "Coco" Hall. That walk turned out to be a great break for the Awesome Cavemen. A Koy Dibb sacrifice fly scored Hall. Loner second baseman Jake "Hoff" Bateman grounded out Austin "Shagadelic" Pitcher to retire the Awesome Cavemen to the field.

Selected by Jarod Ingersoll to threw for the Awesome Cavemen, Pitcher proved that he had the kind of hurling arm that could stay reliable for eight consecutive innings. Ingersoll said, "His first pitch was as good as his 120th one today. The body language that he showed on the bump proved that he could do the job."

The younger brother of American Fork sports legend Ryan "Load the Dishwasher" Pitcher, Shagadelic Pitcher hurled only eight pitches in the first inning to prevent any of the first three Loner batters to get on base. After the first inning ended with No. 3 Loner hitter Hunter Christensen striking out, the game grounded down into a defensive battle. Even though the Awesome Cavemen did put runners on base through each of the following six innings, they couldn't bring home any runs. Occurring during those innings, American Fork singles hit by Hall, Logan Flinders, and Andy Batholomew filled Awesome Caveman fans with optimism about their team soon picking up runs. However, with Lyman holding the Awesome Cavemen scoreless until the sixth, the Loners became certain that they would produce a home win against their arch rivals, thereby convincing their fans that their first-year coach Matt Bezzant was someone worth keeping around for a long time to come.

On one out in the bottom of the second, Nate "Phone" Call and Ty "Rapid Fire" Thompson each clubbed a single, worrying American Fork fans to no end. Keeping his composure on the mound, Shagadelic Pitcher caused Sterling "Silver" Larsen to fly out into left field, ending the inning before the Loners could tie the score atone.

Doubling into center on one out in the bottom of the fourth, Lyman came home on an error at first, to tie the game at one. American Fork came really close to breaking the 1-1 tie during the top of the sixth. It opened with Pitcher singling into center. Pinch runner Buster "Bunny" Hardman tried stealing home on one out, but catcher Larsen tagged him at the plate.

On two outs in the top of the seventh, Hall doubled in Green. American Fork's 2-1 lead couldn't prove to be fatal to the Loners. In the bottom of the seventh, a Christensen, left-field single moved Trevor La Hargoue to third base. A Lyman sacrifice fly scored La Hargoue, tipping the game into extra innings.

In the top of that inning, Pitcher singled off Lyman, causing Thompson to take over at the mound. The pitching change couldn't save the Loners. Flinders singled in Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead. Ingersoll said, "In going 2-4 at the plate today, Logan Flinders came through for us in making that game-winning hit. Shortstop Hall clutched the game for us by turning up a double play in the bottom of the eighth to win the game for us."

Unlike the April 8 thriller at Lone Peak, AKA Loner High, the April 9 rematch at American Fork did not require an extra inning an extra inning to determine a winner. One big reason was Awesome Caveman Craig Brailsford, a nephew of my former schoolmate Bill Brailsford Junior. Craig's pitching prevented the Loners from scoring any runs during the game's first five innings. Also, during those same five innings, Loner High could produce only two hits against him.

Craig gave the Loners a taste of what they would be in for during that Wednesday afternoon. The Awesome Caveman pitcher opened the game by striking out Trevor La Hargoue. Craig then caused Goeckeritz and Christensen to pop out to shortstop Hall, keeping the game a scoreless tie.

In the bottom of the first, Emmett Green hit a ground ball, and he barely beat a throw from shortstop
Christensen to first baseman Tate Hansen. After ninth-grade pitcher Seth Corry struck Hall out, Green raced home on a Dibb sacrifice fly. In walking Pitcher, Corry pledged not to let him also score a run. The ninth-grader made good on the pledge by striking out Bartholomew, a nephew of AF wrestling legend John "Superstud" Bartholow and a son of former state grappler champ Rick "Dr. Death" Bartholomew.

Despite being a ninth-grader, Corry established his credibility as a varsity pitcher by holding the Awesome Cavemen scoreless during the second and third innings,  even though he walked four batters during those innings.

The Loners came really close to tying the score in the top of the second. Slugging a right-field single in that inning, Grant tried scoring a tying run during Sterling "Silver" Larsen's hitting a groundball. However, Bartholomew tagged Grant at the plate to end the second's top half. Lone Peak would not receive another chance to score a run until the top of the fourth.

In the meantime, the Awesome Cavemen's lead grew. Flinders had to try twice to score the Awesome Cavemen's second run. On his first attempt. Flinders got tagged while trying score the second run in Inning 2. However, in the fourth inning, Flinders stole home to turn the American Fork scoring machine on. On two outs, Green tripled in Winter to improve the Awesome Caveman lead at 3-0.

Earlier in the fourth, Hunter hit a center-field double that gave the Loners a fine chance of least tying the game at one. However, Craig Brailsford turned up a double play that robbed the Loners of a golden chance for a run.

In the bottom of the fifth, Trevor Lomelli replaced Corry at the mound. Dibb singled off the reliever, and that Awesome Caveman soon came home on a Flinders' sacrifice fly.

A grandson of East German-American sports enthusiast Claus Goeckeritz, Chandler Goeckeritz singled into left, and Lyman doubled him in. That turned out to be the only Loner run for the game.

With Christensen replacing Lomelli at the mound in the bottom of the sixth, Dibb singled in Green to start a three-run rally that put the final score at 7-1.

A cousin of recently retired American Fork baseball player Gunner "Bells" Lamb, Dallin Searle took over pitching duties in seventh. Searle allowed only Stevie Burraston to get on base. That Loner got stranded at second as he watched Hall intercept a La Hargoue line fly to end the game.

"We had some good quality at-bats today," said Ingersoll. "We found more holes today than we did at Lone Peak yesterday. Brailsford kept Lone Peak under control during the six innings that he spent on the mound, and Dallin Searle did a real good job as a closer today."

 Even though the April 9 game had left the Awesome Cavemen in sole possession of the first in the region, the Loners treated the April 11 rematch as if it would give them a chance to tie American Fork for the No. 1 spot in the league. The determination showed by the Loners helped to make the game one of the longest contests played during Spring Break. The game lasted until about a quarter to 8 p.m.

The game unfolded with Green getting on base through an error made by pitcher Goeckeritz. The Loner chucker quickly made up for his goof by grounding out Dibb and causing Hall to fly out to left fielder Seth Hanneman, a close relative of former Loner baseball start Jacob Hanneman.

A famous "distant cousin" of Hollywood actress Ursula Andress, Ryan Andrus had a rough inning as a pitcher. First, he gave up to Christensen a left-field, solo homer that angry American Fork fans declared to be a foul ball. The home run set off a four-run rally, fueled by a Goeckeritz single and a Phones Call single. In creating a 4-0 lead through four hits, the Loners appeared destined to defeat American Fork so severely that it would have nothing to grunt about after the end of the afternoon's action. Despite going through an embarrassing first inning, Andrus managed to hold the Loners scoreless in both the second and third innings. American Fork pitching coach Sir Brock Knight did replace him with Searle in the bottom of the fourth, though. By then, though, American Fork had already gotten back into the game.

Now in the top of the second, Andy Bartolomew got on base through center fielder Hanneman's error. A Flinders double moved John "Superstud" Bartholomew's nephew to third. Bartholomew then came home on a Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead sacrifice fly. American Fork soon loaded the bases on one out. After Goeckeritz struck out Seth Taylor, Hall singled in two runs to juice up a seven-run, gassed up by additional singles hit by Dibb and Pitcher.

Though held scoreless in the third, the Awesome Cavemen still took a 7-2 lead into the fourth inning. That round, Dibb singled in Green on one out and then scored on an error at third base. Dibb's fourth-inning handiwork almost got wiped away by the Loners. In the bottom of the fourth, Christensen doubled into left, and La Hargoue tripled him in to begin a six-run rally, fueled by doubles from Lyman and Goeckeritz. Tate Hansen contributed a single to the comeback that whittled the Awesome Cavemen's lead down to 9-8.

Taking over pitching duties for the Loners in the top of the fifth, Ty Thompson soon found himself with a Taylor single enabling the Awesome Cavemen to load the bases on one out. A Hall sacrifice fly scored Winters.

The bottom of the fifth opened with La Hargoue grounding out to Bartholomew. With center fielder Green picking off a Lyman fly ball right afterwards, Lone Peak seemed certain of quickly retiring to the field. However, Hansen's center-field double revived the Loners' cause, and they scored two runs on an error and a passed ball, tying the game at 10.

Aided by a Flinders' right-field single, American Fork loaded the bases on two outs in the top of the sixth in hopes of breaking the 10-10 tie. However, Taylor popped out to left fielder La Hargoue. That catch paved the way for the game to stay tied 10 through the next six innings. In the seventh's lower half, Holmstead turned up a double play that brought on the string of five extra innings.

As each of the following extra innings ended with the score still tied at 10, sunlight diminished. The plate umpire declared at one point, "If it's still tied at 10 by 7:45, we're calling the game."

Dibb saved them the need for doing that. In the top of the 12th, he came home on a Holmstead single. Pitcher tried scoring on that same hit, but he got tagged at the plate. In the bottom of the 12th, Green snatched a Goeckeritz fly balll, and second baseman Holmstead grounded out Thompson. Phones Call singled in left, only to see Jack "Hoff" Bateman fly out to third baseman Flinders, ending the game.

Ingersoll said, "It's good for the team to have games like that 12-inning one we played at Lone Peak. That particular game taught them well how to play under the pressure of extra innings.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Lone Peak Loners 12-11 In 9-Inning JV Baseball Thriller
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen pulled out a 12-11 win at  home against the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, in a nine-inning, junior varsity rematch at American Fork April 12.

Before any of you assume that the game had to go into extra innings in order to determine the winning team, you need to know something. Long before the opening pitch was made, the two teams had agreed to play their rematch as a nine-inning affair instead as a doubleheader, as it had originally been formatted as. With that matter now completely explained, let's switch to the focus of the nine-inning contest.

On one out in the top of the first, ninth-grader Seth Corry singled in Stevie Burraston. Corry then moved into scoring position on Slick Nick Larsen's two-out single. However, Matt "General" Lee grounded out to second baseman Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead, retiring the Loners to the field.

During the first's lower half, Dallin Searle launched a two-out single into left to bring Seth Taylor home. A grandnephew of my former schoolmate Ken DeMarco, Justin DeMarco singled in two runs to put the Awesome Cavemen ahead 3-1. American Fork's first lead did not survive the second inning's top half.

Smacking a one-out single into left, Riley "Hefty" Miller quickly came home on a Boyd Connor double. A very close relative of Channel 13 News Anchor Bobby Evans, Mikey Evans singled Connor in two outs. Pitcher Hayden "Chief" Wood answered that one-run single by striking out Stevie Burraston.

In the bottom of the second, American Fork loaded the bases on two outs, and Seth "Needles" Taylor doubled in Kolby "Watacha Talkin' About" Willis and Jake Norton to put American Fork back out in front 5-3. The Awesome Cavemen improved their lead at 6-3 through DeMarco doubling in Sir Turner Knight in the bottom of the third. The Awesome Cavemen were to stay ahead 6-3 until the fifth.

Despite a third-inning single from General Lee, the Loners, too, couldn't pick up additional runs until the top of the fifth. During it, Larsen doubled in Corry and Tate "Peelings" Hansen to put the Loners within 6-5. They went on to hold the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the fifth's lower half.

Hefty Whimpey opened the top of the sixth by hitting a left-field double. Whimpey soon moved to third as Connor Boyd grounded out to Holmstead. After Evans got on base through an error, R.J. "Purple" Hazen singled in Whimpey to tie the game at six. Corry then slugged a two-run, tie-breaking single to put his Loners out in front 8-6. A.J. Jones therefore replaced Wood on the mood.

The pitching change failed to avert a three-run rally that Lone Peak staged in the seventh. The rally began with singles from Lee and Twister Miller. A Hazen one-run single unleashed the rally. When the seventh's upper half ended, the Loners commanded an 11-6 lead.

Doubling into left during the bottom of the seventh, Holmstead scored a run on an error. Wood doubled in Taylor and then came home on a Ty "Guard Dog" Gardner triple. On two outs, DeMarco batted in Gardner to cut the Loner lead to 11-10.

American Fork held the Loners scoreless in both the eighth and ninth innings. Jones hit a one-run single  to tie the game at 10 in the bottom of the eight. In the bottom of the ninth, Gardner singled in Taylor to win the game 12-11 for the Awesome Cavemen.

Loss to Provo Mars Softball Tourney Record for Awesome AF Cavewomen
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavewomen's softball team had a great experience at the Provo Invitational last April 12 -- until the Provo Bulldogs, AKA the Bullpuppies, defeated them 10-1 in American Fork's last game of the tournament.

The Awesome Cavewomen took into the Provo game a tournament record of 3-0. In the first game, American Fork defeated the Timpanogo Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, 7-3. In that game, Hailie Jackson, Bri Peterson, Akaila "KK" Rasmussen, and Anna Vargson each hit a double for American Fork. In the Awesome Cavewomen's 10-5 win over the Timpview Thunderbirds, AKA Millionaires, Rasmussen whacked a double while Jamie "Ham" Hamilton produced an infield homer for American Fork. During American Fork's 8-2 win over the Kearns Cougars, AKA the Kittens, Rasmussen and Allie Winter each posted a double.

American Fork's streak of good luck ended in the Provo game. Bullpuppy pitcher Emile Allman, a "distant cousin" of the Allman Brothers, who're very famous Southern rockers,  held American Fork scoreless in the first four innings, even though she did give up a single to Rasmussen in the fourth.

American Fork and Provo battled to a scoreless tie in the first inning. In the bottom of the second inning, though, Kelly "Cow Bell" Ormsby doubled in two runs to set off a four-run rally, fueled by singles from Allman, Koryn Gustaffson, Callli Kassel, and Haley Kassel.

In the third inning, Ormsby' doubled in Natalie Geronimo to improve the lead at 5-0.

During the top of the fourth, Rasmussen hit an infield single, and Vargson batted her in. That turned out to be the only RBI for American Fork during the game.

A daughter of Mountain View Teddy Bear sports legend Julie the Wilde Girl, Calli Cassel smacked a left-field single, and she then scored on an Abbie "Lane" Maio single to set off a five-run rally for the Bullpuppies.

The fifth inning opened with Hannah Lind grounding out to Calli Kassel. After Hailie Jackson popped out to Allman, Hamilton got on base through an error. However, she got stuck on base as she watched teammate Shadow Robinson strike out, ending the game.

Awesome AF Caveman-Lehi Froggie Rivalry in Baseball and Soccer

Timp Sports Weekly

April 8, 2014

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at two games that demonstrate why the huge rivalry between the Lehi  Pioneers (AKA the Froggies) and my Awesome American Fork Cavemen is still very much alive after four generations. The two games in question were a soccer game and a junior varsity baseball one played at Lehi last week. As they say in Lehi, let's stroke straight those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavebatters Soak Up 12-8 Over Lehi Froggies in JV Game April 5

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a nine-inning junior varsity game at Lehi April 5, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen soaked up the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 12-8. 

The April 5 showdown had originally been intended to be a doubleheader. However, the Froggies and the Awesome Cavemen decided to have the contest reduced to a nine-inning affair. American Fork Jayvee Coach Jay Holmstead said, "It afforded us a chance to see what we could do in extra-inning games. We didn't a very good job in our performance in the last two innings. During our final two at-bats, we didn't come through well with our hitting. In the bottom of the ninth, we made some defensive mistakes that Lehi capitalized on. We can't have the kind of stuff go on."

Throwing for the Awesome Cavemen during the first three innings, Hayden "Chief" Wood held the Froggies scoreless, even though he did give up singles to Kaden "Kaddy" Higgins and Poncho "Chuvas" Henderson.

The Awesome Cavemen picked up two runs in the top of the first. The next inning, Sir Turner Knight doubled into left, and he soon scored a run on Jake Norton's sacrifice fly. 

Though Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead opened the third inning with a center-field single, the Froggies pinched him in a fielder's choice play at second. After springing that play, the Froggies held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless during the third and fourth innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, Kelton Higgins and Henderson each slugged a two-out single.  Colby Paige doubled them in, but he got thrown out at third while trying to turn his hit into a triple.

In the top of the fifth, Dallin Searle, a nephew of American Fork baseball legend Matt Lamb, tripled in two runs, and he then scored on an error to improved the Awesome Caveman lead at 7-2.

Getting beaned by a pitch in the bottom of the fifth, Froggie Jason James tried advancing into scoring position, but American Fork threw him out in a fielder's choice play at second. On two outs, Camryn Grace hit an infield single, but he became stuck at first as he watched teammate Ty James strike out.

The sixth opened with Wood doubling into left, and he got ensnared in a double play that Lehi swatted American Fork with. in the bottom of the sixth, Kelton Higgins singled in his brother Kaddy Higgins. American Fork retaliated with a double play. Although Paige singled right afterwards, the Froggies couldn't pick any runs in the sixth.

The Awesome Cavemen went on a scoring spree in the top of the seventh. After Mason Warenski, a distant cousin of former preacher  Mike Warenski, stole home, Justin DeMarco, a distant relation to my former schoolmate Ken DeMarco, hit a two-run double. Soon, Scotty Hughes singled in Searle and DeMarco. Sir Turner batted in Hughes to improve the Aweseome Caveman lead at 12-3. Lehi shut the Awesome Cavemen down after the seventh, even though Hughes did club a ninth-inning single.

With Devin Smith doubling into left at the start of the ninth's lower half, the Froggies capitalized on errors, loading the bases on no outs. Andy "Zimmy" Zimmerman singled in two runs to set off a four-run rally. The Froggies scored their seventh and eighth runs on passed balls. American Fork managed to shut the Froggies down before the Awesome Cavemen's lead could diminish any shorter.

Lehi Froggies Outlast Awesome AF Cavekickers 4-3 in Ribbiting Boys' Soccer Action April 4
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In  Region Four boys' soccer action at Lehi April 4, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's road game against the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, showed why the rivalry between their two schools would never die. Both sides showed so much determination that the game stayed riveting -- correction, ribbiting until Lehi had won the game 4-3 on a shot in the final 10 minutes of play.

Despite taking a losing record into the game, the Awesome Cavemen quickly demonstrated to their web-footed hosts that they had to be taken seriously. In adapting themselves well to Lehi's Astroturf field, the Awesome Cavemen wasted no time in getting onto the scoreboard first. Guided by Mikey and Matt Brown, the American Forkers kept the ball on the Froggies' end of the field for most of the game's first 10 minutes. On a breakaway play, Matt Brown booted a shot past Froggie goalie Tanner "Muncie" Munson as the game clock read 32:00.

For the next 18 minutes, the Froggies couldn't do anything to tie the game. During that period, goalie Andy Hall did not let a single Lehi shot sneak past him, despite some thrilling plays produced by Chris "C-Rod" Rodriguez, Markus Jones, and Terry Bailey, a "despite cousin" of comic strip character Beetle Bailey. Meanwhile, Froggie Isaiah Altanamirano came up with some steals from Awesome Caveman Dakotah Walvogel and made passes to teammates like Jones, Conner Miles, and Jake Clements for deep drives that kept Hall a very busy Awesome Caveman.

Taking a pass from Landon Jacobsen, Quickie Ben Driggs went on a breakaway play and kicked in a tying goal while 14 minutes still remained in the half. Neither team could break the 1-1 deadlock until the early second half.

Two minutes into it, Altanamirano booted in a tie-breaking shot. Miles then improved the lead at 3-1 during a breakaway play. The Awesome Cavemen appeared certain that they would be flooded off Lehi's field.

American Fork Coach Nate Lowe said, "You can say that my guys did put forth a great effort had they had fallen behind by two goals. At first, I questioned their willingness to come back after Lehi had pulled ahead of them 3-1. They bounced back and made tonight fun for me."

As the game clock read 21:00, Awesome Caveman Kyle "Wooly" Woolstenhulme booted in a successful shot. It reminded the Froggies that American Fork could still play well on their home swamp. Moreover, Woolstenhulme's goal inspired the Awesome Cavemen to try at least to force the game into overtime. Three minutes after American Fork had failed to score on an indirect kick, Awesome Caveman Branson "Missouri" Wilbur took a pass from Logan "Grizzly" Redhair and booted in a tying goal.

As the scoreboard showed the game deadlocked at three, the Froggies looked as though they would be playing a second straight overtime game. With memories of having battled the Lone Peak Loners to a draw in a double-overtime game April 1, the Froggies became more determined to score a tie-breaking goal before the end of regulation. In the game's final five minutes, they accomplished their aim.  

Conner Miles said, "Inside the penalty box, I saw the ball coming from Ben Driggs to me. I headed the ball into the net. That pass from Ben was a great one."

Lehi Froggie-Rivlerton Silverpup JV Baseball Doubleheader

Timp Sports Weekly

April 1, 2014

 Publisher's Message

For the Lehi fans, who were hoping that I would write about the riveting -- correction, ribbiting, three-game varsity series between their Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, and Riverton's Silverwolves, AKA Silverpups, I have disappointing news. I didn't cover any of those games. However, I did catch the junior varsity doubleheader that Lehi hosted against the Silverpups on March 29. That should make you Lehi fans happy -- correction, hoppy. So as they say in Lehi, let's swim straight to the story of the doubleheader.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Split Jayvee Doubleheader Against Riverton Silverpups March 29

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly

In junior varsity baseball action at Lehi March 29, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, split a doubleheader against the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups. The Froggies leaped past the Silverpups 7-0. However, in the second game, Riverton drained Lehi 16-6, ending the doubleheader in the sixth inning.

Throwing for Lehi in the first game, Ty "Mr. Sly" James gave up only two hits and posted seven strikeouts while his Froggies had a hoppy morning at bat. Those Webfooters churned out seven hits that neutered the Silverpups' chances  of taking the first game.

Even though, James walked leadoff batter Skylar Davis in the top of the first, he struck out the next three batters: Jake "Green Snake" Barlowe, Mason "Builder" Morris, and Caden "Anvil"Jones. 

Singling in the bottom of the first, Koy Smith soon raced home on a passed ball for the first Froggie run of the game. Silverpup pitcher Builder Morris held the Froggie lead at 1-0 until the bottom of the third. That inning, Froggie Blake Smith whacked a two-out single that reeled in Brock "Handsome Jock" Hanson. In the meantime, the Silverpups got a hit from Jackson "Prince Action" Christensen in the top of the third, but he got thrown out in a fielder's choice play at second.

In the bottom of the fourth, Poncho Henderson doubled in Kelt Higgins and Mr. Sly James to set off a five-run rally for the Froggies. Hanson batted in two runs, and he then came home on a Ryan Barnes double that put the final score at 7-0.

Silverpup Robbie Wilson hit a single in the top of the fifth, but he became stuck on base, and Riverton never got another chance at scoring runs.

The second game was something that the Silverpups could howl about. For it, they posted an entirely new batting order. Its members didn't disappoint Silverpup fans on hand for the doubleheader. Riverton grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the first through singles slugged by Drake "Hearbreak" Downs, Kaden "Whirlwind" Wilson, Eric "The Bold" Nelson, Trace "The Mace" Jacobson, and Ryan "Prussian" Kesler.

With Koy Smith getting on base via an error in the bottom of the first, Lehi leaped back. A Barnes sacrifice groundout scored Koy Smith to open the comeback. Trent "Idaho" Rigby soon stole home, and a Hanson sacrifice groundout brought home Kelt Higgins. 

The Froggies held the Silverpups scoreless in the top of the second. Singles from Colby Paige and Brayden Walker enabled the Froggies to load the bases on no outs. Sacrifice groundouts by Barnes and Koy Smith each  brought in a run that put the  Froggies out in front 5-4. However, the Froggies' domination of the game faded away in the top of the third.  

The top of the third opened with "N" Gage Stephen smacking an infield single. Singles from Driscall "Head" Stone and Cole "The Toll" Anderson gave the Silverpups the momentum that they needed to howl past the Froggies. A nephew of former Bingham Picker basketball legend K.C. Tebbs, A.J. "Top Dog" Tebbs got thrown in a fielder's choice play at home, but it couldn't stop the Silverpups from staging a devastating rally. It began with Kade "Air Raid" Palmer smacking a two-run single. A Cody "Buffalo" Harrison walk scored a run, and on two outs, Bridger "The Trapper" Kirkman singled in another two runs that left the Silverpups with a 9-5 lead. On one out in the bottom of the inning, Kelt Higgins singled into left, and he circled the diamond to steal home. The Silverpups didn't let the Froggies make any more runs after the third. 

Singles from Tebbs and Anderson in the fourth's top half led to Riverton picking up two runs. Before the Silverpups could go on another long rally, Palmer hit into a double play.

Singling into left at the start of the fifth, Zach "Bushwhack" Larsen soon came home on a passed ball, stirring up a four-run rally for the Silverpups.. After Anderson doubled in a run, the Froggies turned up a double play in hopes of slowing down Riverton. However, Anderson stole home to improve the Silverpup lead at 15-6.

When Silverpups loaded the bases in the top of the sixth, a Stephens walk scored Palmer. Palmer's run caused the game to be called at the end of the sixth's lower half.

Lehi Froggie Soccer and Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

March 25, 2014

Publisher's Message

I had originally intended to have this issue focus on soccer and baseball games that the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings played last week. However, after I had covered the Region Four opener between the Ferocious Vikings and the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, I had learned that first-year Froggie baseball coach Jason Ingersoll had scheduled a home-and-home series against the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies. I missed the Froggies' 10-9 win over the Puppies at Lehi. However, when I learn via the D-News' website that Lehi would be playing at Hillcrest on March 22, I decided to cover that non-league game rather than travel down to Pleasant Grove to cover the Ferocious Vikings' baseball doubleheader against the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys. 

The decision turned out to be a wise one, for the Plowboys clobbered the Ferocious Vikings in both ends of the twin bill. So no way would Ferocious Viking Coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry have wanted to talk with me right after the doubleheaders. Jason Ingersoll was more than eager to talk with me right after his Froggies had leaped past the Puppies 9-3.

We will look first at the Froggie-Ferocious Viking soccer game. We will then go over how Jason's web-footed fixed the Puppies in their March 22 non-league contest. As they say in Pleasant Grove, let's sail straight to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Outlast Ferocious PG Vike Kickers 2-1 in Region 4 Boys' Soccer Opener

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

AKA the Froggies, the Lehi Pioneers began their Region Four boys' soccer schedule with a 2-1 win at home against the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings at home March 18.

The game started on a riveting -- correction, ribbiting note, and the it stayed tight through the rest of the evening. During the first minute of play, Froggie Connor "I Can See For" Miles scored the game's first goal. As Miles' successful shot zoomed into the goal net, it erased Ferocious Viking goalie Shadow Bishop's golden luck of not having been scored on during this season. Going into the region opener, Pleasant Grove had built up a preseason record of two wins and two ties. However, that record was not going to be of much good to Bishop now, especially when Miles' goal created the impression that the Froggies would hop all over Pleasant Grove. The expectation quickly turned out to be false.

Five minutes later, Ferocious Viking Matt "Stiffie" Smyth evened the game at one. Smyth's goal sent PG's morale soaring high like a plume of smoke. Ferocious Viking midfielder Omar "Kayam" Ortiz, for example, guided deep penetrations of the Froggie center, putting much pressure on Froggie goalie Tanner "Muncie" Munson. Good old Muncie Munson didn't let Ortiz or Smyth boot any more shots past him, even though Pleasant Grove continued receiving great shot selections throughout the course of the night. Also, Bishop played very well like one-time Pleasant Grove goalie Brock DeGraff did several years ago.

Ferocious Viking offensive wing Nate Spencer often received chances for scoring on indirect kicks. However, none of his indirect kicks could get past Munson. Even though Spencer terrorized Lehi, especially in the second half. Spencer's aggressiveness almost sent the game into overtime. However, Froggies like Dallas Mosher, Kris Taylor, and Chris "C-Rod" Rodriguez prevented Spencer from doing severe damage to Lehi.

Meanwhile, the game stayed tied until the final two minutes of the first half. In having failed to have corner kicks of his produce goals for Lehi, Froggie Jake Clements booted in a tie-breaking goal just before halftime. After that successful shot, the game grounded down to a nail-biting defensive duel for the rest for the night. 

Lehi Coach Jerry Preisendorf said, "We were sloppy in the middle. That was why PG had possession of the ball most of the time. It's a good thing that Tanner had a great night as a goalie."

Lehi Froggies Fix Hillcrest Puppies Both Times in 2-Game Baseball Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, swept a two-game series against the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies, and posted a 6-5 win on the Cyprus Pirates' Magna field last week to post a 5-3 preseason record in baseball.

The Froggies' three triumphs last week improved their winning streak at five straight games. In a March  18 game at Lehi, the Froggies outlasted the Puppies 11-10. A sixth-inning one-run triple by Morgan Soper gave the Froggies their one-run win over the Puppies.

In the March 20 exhibition game in Magna, neither team could score in the first four innings. In the top of the fifth, the Froggies scored all of their six runs for the night. Blake Smith's two-run double ultimately awarded the win.

The next morning, neither the Froggies nor the Puppies could make any hits until midway through their rematch in Midvale. That fact couldn't stop Lehi from building up a 3-0 lead during the game's first three innings.

In the top of the first, for example, Puppy pitcher Andy "Barky" Reich walked Soper and Paxton Terry. A grandson of Payson Kitty football legend Chad Smith,  Soper scored the game's first run on an error at second. With two outs, Terry scored on another Puppy error. In retaliation, Reich struck out Colt "Forty-Five" Sampson.

Even though Hillcrest's Landin "Woof-Woof" Shiller got on base through an error, pitcher Blake Smith struck out Reich and Dakota "Prairie Doggie" Parker to keep the Froggies' 2-0 lead intact at the end of the first inning.

The Puppies didn't let the Froggies put any runners on base during the top of the second. However, Smith continued holding the Puppies scoreless through posting three strikeouts, even though he beaned Jake "K-9" Harris and walked Chris "White Fang" Okomoto.

Getting on base during two third-inning outs, Froggie Ryan Absher went on to steal home. Lehi's 3-0 lead became threatened in the bottom of the third when the Puppies loaded the bases on no outs. Suddenly, Reich got called out for interference at home plate. Catcher Terry turned up a double play to end the inning with Lehi still ahead 3-0.

Sampson got on base through an error during one out in the fourth's top half. Sampson went on to steal home. After catcher Okomoto had tagged Ryan Barnes at the plate, Froggie Cam Grace hit a single for the game's first hitting, scoring Preston Higgins.

In the top of the fifth, Absher singled into left, and Terry doubled him in. Blake Smith singled in Terry, and then came home on Coy Smith's sacrifice groundout.

The fifth's lower half opened with Tony "Mondy Moon Doggie" Mondragon doubling into left for the Puppies' first hit of the morning. Mondragon went on to steal home plate. Teammate Skylar "Dog Star" Oaks hit a one-run single to cut the lead to 8-2.

Absher hit a one-out, right-field single in the top of the sixth. Before Lehi could go on a one-out rally, Terry into a double play that prevented Lehi from picking up any insurance runs. In the bottom of sixth, the Puppies again loaded the bases on no outs. Barnes replaced Blake Smith at the mound and turned up a double play. Right after it, Barky Reich singled into left. Parker batted in a run, then got stuck on base.

In the top of the seventh, Blake Smith tripled into center, and he then scored on a Sampson sacrifice groundout. Reich held the Froggies scoreless after that point. During the bottom of the seventh, Ryan "The Green Beagle" Weadle hit a two-out single into left, but Barnes struck out Reese "Laika" Logan to clutch the win for the Froogies.

Lehi Coach Jason Ingersoll said, "Their pitcher [Reich] threw in top form. It took us four innings to get the feel of him before we started making hits. The kids slugged the ball very well, and they recovered some great groundballs. We also came up with a couple of double plays that proved quite critical to us."

This week, Lehi is scheduled to open Region Four play against the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups.

Lehi Froggie-Orem Tigger Soccer Duel

Timp Sports Weekly

March 18, 2014

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at a preseason boys' soccer game between the Lehi Pioneers (AKA the Froggies) and the Orem Tigers (AKA the Tiggers). Much of the game was Lehi-dominated. However, Orem's players reminded Lehi late in the game that they still had a lot of bounce. Hey, Orem High kids are nicknamed Tiggers for a reason. So as they say at Orem, let's bounce straight to the story.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Flood Away Orem Tiggers 4-1 in Non-League Play March 14

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

AKA the Froggies, the Lehi Pioneer boys' soccer team finished its two-week preseason schedule with a 4-1 win at home over the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers, March 14.

Lehi Coach Jerry Preisendorf said, "Our players did a pretty good job in maintaining ball possession for much of the first half. Late in the second half, they become sloppy in their playing. That allowed Orem to come back to threaten us greatly. Orem showed that they had a lot of bite."

It took a while, though, for the Tiggers to bounce back into the game. With much relish, the Froggies hopped all over them in the first half. Seven minutes into it, Froggie Markus Jones scored the game's first goal from inside the Tigger penalty box.

Tiggers Jeremy Pukahi and Parker Louder guided some strong Orem efforts at tying the score at one. While Pukahi attempted to Lehi's defensive line in the middle, Louder attempted to do end runs around the Froggies. However, Froggie goalie Tanner "Muncie" Munson didn't let a single Tigger shot get past him. His biggest save of the first half was his blocking an Ethan "Springs" Blanchard indirect shot.

Parker Louder's extreme close resemblance to Orem Coach Jesse Louder quickly stirred up memories stretching a generation back. Those memories were of the older Louder being the head coach of American Fork Junior High girls' basketball team that went undefeated and started the athletic career of the Beautiful Stephanie Trane, an Awesome American Fork Cavewoman sports legend who went on to  shine in Utah Valley Community College and BYU athletics. Jesse Louder, meanwhile, went on to coach the Tiggers' girls' basketball team as well as their girls and boys' soccer programs. The memories about the Beautiful Stephanie Trane and Jesse Louder left my mind when I saw Isaiah "El Halcon" Altamirano scored the second Froggie goal late in the first half. El Halcon's shot gave the Froggies' something to croak about at halftime.

In the first minute of the second half, Froggie Kyle Curtis scored the game's third goal. Teanmate Connor "I Can See For" Miles punched in the game's fourth goal four minutes later. The Froggies' 4-0 lead presented the idea that the Tiggers would quickly become too discouraged to bounce back into the game.

However, instead of causing Orem to lose hope, the game's score lulled the Froggies into becoming less aggressive on the field. They made sloppy passes that presented the Tiggers golden opportunities that they quickly bounced at. Tiggers Emil "Cue Ball" Cuello, Jake "Mr. Baad" Lambson, and Braden "General" Patten joined Pukakhi and Louder in putting much pressure on Froggie defenders, especially Munson. On one indirect kick 14 minutes into the second half, for example, Pukahi fired a shot into the Froggie net. Pukahi's successful shot caused the Tiggers to bounce for joy.

Lehi's defense tightened up after that shot, however, and guided by Muncie Munson, the Froggies didn't let the Tiggers make any more goals despite strong offensive efforts from Parker, Cue Ball Cuello and Springs Blanchard. 

The Starts of the Lehi Froggie Boys' Soccer Season and Awesome AF Caveman Baseball Action

Timp Sports Weekly

March 11, 2014

Publisher's Message

As the high school boys' basketball season wound down last week, the spring sports seasons commenced. For this issue, we look at stories about Lehi boys' soccer and Awesome American Fork Caveman baseball action. My account of the riveting -- correction, ribbiting soccer game between the Lehi Pioneers (AKA the Froggies) and the Mountain Crest Mustangs, nicknamed the Ponies, should give you Lehi fans something to croak about. As for Awesome American Fork Caveman baseball fans, you will be presented three stories, two of which will give you something to cheer loudly about. So let's get to those stories

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Open Boys' Soccer Season With 1-0 Win at Home Against Mountain Crest Ponies

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

With both their girls and boys' basketball season now over, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, spent March 7, focusing on the start of their boys' soccer season. It opened on a riveting -- correction, ribbiting note. Lehi's preseason opener at home saw the Froggies out last the Mountain Crest Mustangs, AKA the Ponies, 1-0.

The game's final outcome got decided midway through the first half. Lehi Coach Jerry Prisendorf said, "Twenty-five minutes into the game, Landon Jacobson connected a pass to Marcus Jones for a successful shot on goal."

The goal left the Froggies croaking for joy for a little while. After the euphoria of Jones' successful shot had faded, the Froggies went to work on trying to score more goals. However, Pony goalie Hayden "The Cache Valley Stallion" Anderson did not let any more shots sneak past him during the game.

Still, Froggies Jake Clements, Carter "Grandes" Rios, Chris "C-Rod" Rodriguez, Dallas "Texas" Mosher, Kris "Pins" Taylor, and Josh Mortensen did not let up in maintaining heavy pressure of the Pony goalie. Anderson received strong back-up from Swifty Caleb. He came up with several big steals for Mountain Crest.

The Ponies made some very deep drives into Froggie territory in the second half. However, Lehi repeatedly denied them chances for good shot selections, especially during corner kicks. Goalie Nelson "Magnetic Fingers" McEgan kept the Froggies' 1-0 lead intact throughout the entire second period.

Prisendorff said, "We maintained good possession for most of the game, and we did not panic once in the game."

Awesome AF Cavebatters Drop Varsity Baseball Opener to Jordan Plowboys March 8

By Dean Von Memmott 

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

On the morning after their boys' basketball team's year had ended at the hands of the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings in the state 5-A playoffs at the U of U's Huntsman Center. the Awesome American Fork Cavemen opened a three-team baseball tournament with a one-run loss to the Jordan Beetdiggers, AKA the Plowboys. Jordan defeated American Fork's varsity team 9-8.

The game had opened on a promising note for American Fork. Through the pitching of returning senior Craig Brailsford, the Awesome Cavemen held the Plowboys scoreless in the top of the first. During the bottom of the first, a Koy Dibb double and an Andy Bartholomew triple fueled a four-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen.

Jordan started making a comeback in the top of the first. Through a Morgan "Go-Go Mo" Gomez single, the Plowboys loaded the bases on no outs. They soon scored two runs. No relation to movie character Freddie Kruger, Mason Kruger got bagged for the third Jordan out before his Plowboys could a have chance at tying the game at four in the second inning.

Pitcher Gomez did not let the Awesome Cavemen put any runners on base in the bottoms of the second and third innings. Gomez's work on the mound enabled Jordan to pick up the momentum it needed to harvest a lead midway through the game. In the top of the third, the Plowboys loaded the bases on two outs. Mason "Bales" Hayes soon came home on a passed ball, and Drew "High Risk" Lisk hit a one-run single that tied the game at four. The next inning, Jordan pulled ahead 6-4 through Hayes singling. in Colton "Close" Shaver and Kael Hathaway, a "distant cousin" of actress Anne Hathaway and Beverly Hills character Jane Hathaway.  Gomez hit a left-field single right afterwards, and comic strip character Beetle Bailey's "distant cousin" Chris Bailey tried scoring a seventh Jordan run, but catcher Bartholomew tagged him at the plate, ending the fourth inning. Despite Riley Winters hitting a two-out single for them in the bottom of the fourth, the Awesome Cavemen couldn't pick up any runs that inning.

Luck swung back to American Fork's favor in the fifth. That inning, the Awesome Cavemen prevented the Plowboys from capitalizing on a left-field single swatted by Lisk. In the bottom of the fifth, Dibb doubled in Emmett Green and then scored a tying run on an error at first base. Jordan prevented the Awesome Cavemen from pulling back out in front, however.

Singling into right during the top of the sixth, Hayes soon scored on a Seth Butterfield sacrifice fly right after Jack "Up" Butterfield had belted a center-field single. Lisk singled in Jack Butterfield to improve the lead at 8-6.

With Gomez not letting any Awesome Cavemen on base during the bottom of the sixth, American Fork's situation became more perilous in the seventh. For one, Gomez swatted a one-out, one-run single  that ultimately proved decisive in the game. In hopes of undoing the damage done by Gomez's seventh-inning RBI, Green singled on one out into left, and he moved to third on two Jordan errors, which also allowed Kody "Coco" Hall to get on base. Green soon scored on an error, and Dibb batted Hall in to cut the lead to 9-8. Gomez suddenly turned up a double play that clutched the game for Jordan.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Taylorsville Road Warriors 10-1 in 2nd Game of Twin Bill
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen proved that they could bounce back from defeat within a matter of a couple of hours. Within a half hour after their one-run loss to the Jordan Plowboys, the Awesome Cavemen took on the Taylorsville Road Warriors, a traditional baseball superpower, and shoved them off the road by a score of 10-1 in the three-team tournament held at American Fork March 8.

On two outs in the top of the first, Road Warrior Kenny Atwood launched a solo home run over the left-field fence. As much joy as that hit did bring Taylorsville, it couldn't give the Road Warriors control of the moment for the rest of the game.  McGill Othon and Zake Stepp each singled into left field in hopes of giving their Road Warriors a chance at profiting greatly from Atwood's home run. Suddenly, pitcher Austin "Shagadelic" Pitcher struck out Chase "Puffs" Huff.

After the first inning, Pitcher didn't let any more Road Warriors make hits during his five rounds on mound. Taking over pitching duties in the sixth, Awesome Caveman reliever Tanner Norton did give up a single to Othon in the seventh. However, that Road Warrior got pinched in a fielder's choice play at second. With Norton having struck out Stepp, second baseman Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead tagged Jordan "Senor" West to end the game.

American Fork's comeback against Taylorsville unfolded with Pitcher scoring on a Road Warrior error in the bottom of the second. The game stayed tied at one until the bottom of the fifth. Its lower half opened with Logan Flinders doubling into left. Holmstead singled him in.

In the sixth, Kody "Coco" Hall singled into right, and Koy Dibb doubled him in to unleash an eight-run rally for American Fork. Dibb hit another one-run double during the rally. Tyler "Guard Dog" Gardner singled in two runs, and then came home on an error. Aided by an Emmett Green sacrifice groundout that scored a run, one-run singles from Holmstead and Seth "Needles" Taylor helped to put the final score at 10-1.

American Fork Coach Jarod Ingersoll said, "They put a lot more effort into this game than they did in the one against Jordan. Our defense didn't hold up against Jordan. We made four errors in that game. In this game, though, we made no errors. We just kept battling, and we executed some bunts."

Awesome AF Cavebatters Quiet Timpanogos T-Pups 10-0 in JV Baseball Action March 10
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a junior varsity baseball game at American Fork March 10, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen quieted the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA Timberpups and T-Pups, 10-0.

American Fork threw a different pitcher each of the five innings of the game. It wasn't that the Awesome Cavemen lost faith with every pitcher. It was that head Awesome Caveman Coach Jarod Ingersoll wanted to use the game to see which players to use of his main pitchers for a tournament that American Fork wanted to catch this weekend in Saint George, home of Dixie University, this state's most fun party school.

 The first guy that the Awesome Cavemen put on the mound was Justin DeMarco. He forced leadoff hitter Tanner "Big Stick" Evans to ground out to second baseman Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead. DeMarco gave up a single to T.C. "Kernel" Cornish, and  he walked Austin "Fabulous" Favilla. Before the T-Pups could score any runs, Oakley "Dokie" Craighead flew out to center fielder Hayden "Chief" Wood, and DeMarco struck out Tail Gunner Gillespie.

In the bottom of the first, T-Pup pitcher Big Thorn Lisage walked Holmstead on one out. Tua Ward singled Holmstead in. Big Thorn kept the Awesome Cavemen's lead stuck at 1-0 until the third inning.

During the top of it, B.J. "Big Wolf Marty" Martinez hit a single into left, and teammate Fantastic Favilla doubled into center.. However, reliever Tanner Norton didn't let the T-Pups make any gains from those two hits. Moreover, the Awesome Cavemen didn't let the Timperpups make any more hits in the game.

In the bottom of the third, Norton doubled into left, and on one out, Kody "Coco" Hall singled him to unleash a six-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen

In the bottom of the fourth, Colby Willis and Norton each singled off Lisage on one out. After the pitcher struck out DeMarco, he accidentally beaned Dallin Searle, a cousin of former American Fork baseball legend Brock Lamb. The accident loaded the bases. A Hall walk scored Willlis. Before American Fork could pick up any more runs in the fourth, Holmstead got called out for hitting the ball outside the batter's box.

That brief setback became forgotten in the bottom of the fifth. A distant cousin of my former junior high school classmate Mike Warenski, Nate Warenski hit a left-field single, setting the stage for the early end of Timpanogos. After Ward had singled into left, a Wood single brought Warenski home. Sir Turner Knight singled in Ward to end the game in an Awesome Caveman victory.

American Fork jayvee coach Jay Holmstead said, "We just wanted to see today which guys we could use as pitchers down in Saint George this weekend. The five pitchers we used today all got into a good rhythm. We also hit very good."

Lehi Froggie-Lone Peak Loner Boys' Basketball Game

Timp Sports Weekly

March 4, 2014

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at the Feb. 25 boys' basketball game between the Lehi Pioneers (AKA the Froggies) and the Lone Peak Knights (AKA the Loners).  The game showed why the Loners still possessed the sufficient talent needed to win this year's state 5-A title. Let's swim straight to that story. It's the only detailed, published account of the game, by the way.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lone Peak Loners Drain Lehi 85-58 in Region Four Boys' Basketball Finale Feb. 25

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Region Four boys' basketball finale at Lehi Feb. 25, the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, drained the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 85-58.

The contest gave the Loners a chance to show why in spite of a recent region loss to the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings they had the kind of firepower needed for them to blast their way another state 5-A title.

Of course, Froggies Marcus Draney and Tanner Nygren did try to keep the Loners from turning the game into a blowout. The game's opening minutes showed that. Getting the opening tipoff, Draney scored the night's first bucket. Loner Spencer "The Mountain" Curtis swished in two free throws to tie the game at two. Draney produced a three-point play to tip the Froggies back out in 5-2.

However, the Loners suddenly started taking their web-footed opponents seriously. AKA Loner High, Lone Peak tied the game at five on free throws from Frankie "Brother Action" Jackson and T.J. Haws, a brother of Tyler Haws, currently playing basketball for BYU, established by Brigham Young to glorify the University of Utah. Another two Jackson foul shots put the Loners ahead 7-5, and they went on a 12-4 scoring run. Nygren and teammate Jake "Purple Snake" Barnes guided Lehi back within 9-7, 12-9, and 14-11. However, the Loners kept the Froggies from tying the game. Steals and rebounds by Zac Hampton and Brother Action Jackson gave the Loners the momentum they need for making the night a bright time for their school. Near the end of the first quarter, Haws swished in a free throw and then produced a three-point play to give the Loners an 18-11 lead.

In the early second period, treys from Jackson and Haws gave the Loners enough gas to gallop away from the Froggies. With the score 24-11, Loner High, Nygren passed the ball to Alex "Pitbull" Pittard for a bucket in hopes of getting a rally going for the Froggies. Instead, the Loners continued swelling the lead. Before long, it grew to 30-13. Lehi tried every imaginable means to shut down Jackson and Haws in the second quarter. However, both Loners proved to be too quick for the Froggies to stop. By the end of the first half, the Loners commanded a 44-22 lead.

In the first half, Draney, a "distant cousin" of my former junior high schoolmate Casey Draney, had a nice performance in scoring. However, in the second half, the Loners cooled him down, not letting him make more than nine points for the night.

Ninth-grader Blaze Nield stepped forward for Lehi and poured in 10 points for the night, showing why college basketball scouts should keep on an eye on him through the next three years. Nield's performance got overshadowed by the impressive playing of the Loners. Both Jackson and Haws didn't let up in their efforts during the second half. Those two Loners' combined efforts for a 30-point lead for their school in the third period. Jackson wowed Loner fans with a dunk shot that he made just before the buzzer. Froggie Briggs Jensen answered that shot with a buzzer-beating trey.

In the final quarter, Loner Coach Quincy Lewis let his entire bench see some action. Reserves like Clay Wilson, Dylan Hedin, Tyson "Golden Skyline" Doman, McKay Webster, Braxton Bruni, Jantzen Allphin, and Nate "Darkness" Harkness maintained the Loners' big lead. When it had finally swelled to 77-45 on a Webster bucket, Nield hit two foul shots to stir up a Lehi rally, led by Derik Beetson, Barnes, Gavin Rasmussen, and Parker Jensen. The Froggies outscored the Loners 13-7 to get within 84-58. However, a Doman free throw put the final score at 85-58.

Nygren led the Froggies with 14 points while Barnes added another six. Haws led the Loners with 27 points while Jackson added another 21 and Curtis nine.