Awesome AF Caveman and Ferocious PG Viking Summer Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

June 16, 2015

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at how the Awesome American Fork Cavemen and Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings fared in the Utah Baseball Academy annual preseason tournament. We will also check on a Varsity League game that the Awesome Cavemen hosted against the Springville Red Devils on June 11. Let's take a look at those games.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavemen Drop UBA Preseason Tourney Game to Riverton Silverpups June 7

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Played in Riverton June 7 for the Utah Baseball Academy's preseason tournament, a 17-under division age division game saw the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups, defeat the Awesome American Fork Cavemen 7-4.

The game opened with pitcher Clint "Salty" Salter walking Buster "Bunny" Hardman and Jace Ybarra. An infield error allowed Hardman and Ybarra to race home. Before the Awesome Cavemen could capitalize on the mistake any further, the Silverpups hit them with a double play. Salt then grounded out  Trell Morse to retire the Awesome Cavemen to the field.

Singles from Hunter Hall and Stoney Gibbons permitted the Silverpups to load the bases on no outs. Skyler Davis knocked in Hall, and Riverton picked up its next two runs on an error. Jeff Lillywhite's one-run completed Silverpup scoring for the inning.

In the top of the second, Weston Flinders whacked a two-out single in hopes of stirring up a rally for American Fork. However, the Silverpups kept him stuck on base while they maintained their 4-2 lead.

It grew to 5-2 in the bottom of the third through Davis singling a one-run groundball into left. The Silverpups didn't let the Awesome Cavemen make any further hits until until the top of the fifth when Colt Sharrer and Kasten Rasmussen each singled a fly ball into left. Suddenly, third baseman Eric Nelson turned up a double play that delayed American Fork from scoring additional runs until the sixth.

After Riverton picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth, Hall singled into right in the bottom of the fifth, and he came home on a Davis sacrifice fly. American Fork held the Silverpups scoreless after that inning.

In the top of the sixth, Hardman singled into right, and a Hagan Holmstead double moved him to third. Tua Ward doubled in both Awesome Cavemen, and moved to third on a Morse single, but the Silverpups shut American Fork scoring down for the rest of the game.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Ferocious Vikings 10-0 in 17-U Preseason Tourney Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen proved to be resilient in the aftermath of their June 7 loss at Riverton. By a score 10-0, they defeated the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings at during a June 8 game that was a part of the 17-age division portion of a preseason tournament sponsored by the Utah Baseball Academy.

American Fork Coach Jarod "The Prankster" Ingersoll said, "Hagan [Holmstead] did really well on the mound. He threw a five-hitter while he held PG scoreless. We hit very good and fielded the ball well."

American Fork's shutout win came almost two weeks after the Ferocious Vikings had won the state 5-A baseball championship at the expense of the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers. The Ferocious Vikings brought 10 players from the state championship team in hopes of smoking the Awesome Cavemen for a fourth straight time this year. This time, Holmstead was ready to handle the team of blue-uniformed raiders.  He scattered the Ferocious Vikings' five hits and struck out five of them during the course of the six innings that he pitched.

The Ferocious Vikings found out how ready the Awesome Cavemen were for them. The game opened with Ty Lewis flying out to first baseman Tua Ward. Though Bub Wilde got on base through an error, Holmstead picked him off at first, and then the Awesome Caveman pitcher struck out Brennon May.

With Buster "Bunny" Hardman getting on base through a walk in the bottom of the first, American Fork quickly loaded the bases on no outs through infield singles hit by Holmstead and Jace Ybarra. Ward tripled in all three Awesome Cavemen, and he scored on Trell Morse's sacrifice groundout. With Colt Sharrer and Dylan Johnson each slugging a single, American Fork attempted to keep its rally going, but the Ferocious Vikings popped the Awesome Cavemen with a double play.

The second inning opened with Tate Briggs whacking a left-field single, only to get nailed in a fielder's choice play at second. After Ty Wells got thrown out at in a putout at third, Holmstead struck out Derek Wall.

Pleasant Grove kept American Fork stuck on its 4-0 lead until the bottom of the third. That inning, the Ferocious Vikings got singles from Ryan Christiansen and Hunter "Derwood" Kirby, Holmstead didn't let Pleasant Grove get anywhere with those two hits. In the bottom of the third, Holmstead hit a two-out double which brought Hardman home on two outs.

On one out in the top of the fifth, Wall and Christiansen each an infield single. Just as Pleasant Grove looked as though it was starting to rip Holmstead, the Awesome Cavemen turned up a double play that spoiled Pleasant Grove's best chances for scoring in the game.

In the bottom of the fifth, Chandler "Crazy Horse" Wood tripled in Ryan Hardman. After Buster "Bunny" Hardman struck out, Ybarra singled in Wood and then came home on a two-out, Holmstead singled. The Ferocious Vikings took revenge by picking off Holmstead at second.

With the Ferocious Vikings unable to put runners on base in the top of the sixth, American Fork proceeded to get the game over that inning. Singles from Ward and Morse quickly resulted in the Awesome Cavemen loading the bases on no outs. Johnston knocked in Ward, and Weston Flinder single scored Morse for the winning run.

Woods Cross Wild Kittens Defeat Awesome AF Cavemen 7-6 in 9-Inning UBA Thriller June 9
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a pool game for the 17-under division for the Utah Baseball Academy's preseason tournament, the Wood Cross Wildcats, AKA the Wild Kittens. defeated the Awesome American Fork Cavemen 7-6 in a nine-inning thriller played at American Fork June 9.

The game's outcome prevented the Awesome Cavemen from reaching the semifinals of the tournament's 17-under age division and left American Fork with a tournament record of 2-2.

The game opened with Wild Kitten Jordan Lewis doubling off pitcher Colt ".44" Scharrer. After the pitcher had grounded out Brady "Kiddy" Childs and walked Alex Johnson, Brandon "Wags" Wagstaff singled in Lewis. The Tarts stayed ahead 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth, despite a single from Awesome Caveman Trell Morse in the second inning.

During the top of the fourth, Caleb Simmons and Cody Ellsworth each doubled into left. A stiff American Fork defense prevented the Tarts from going on a scoring rally via those doubles.

In the bottom of the fourth, Jace Ybarra poked a one-out single into right, but the Wild Kittens pinched him in a squeeze play occurring between first and second. Holmstead tripled into left, and his distant cousin Trell singled him in. Morse came home on a Scharrer single to put American Fork ahead 2-1.

After his little brother, Ryan Hardman grounded out at the start of the fifth's lower half, Buster "Bunny" Hardman came tripled Hayden "Crazy Horse" Wood in and then came home during Holmstead's second straight triple.

With a sixth-inning double play keeping American Fork's 4-1 lead intact, the Awesome Cavemen looked as though they would come out victorious. However, a Jared Ackley single gave the Wild Kittens momentum for catching up with the Awesome Cavemen. As soon as the Wild Kittens had loaded the bases on one, Wagstaff singled in a run, and a Simmons walk brought home another Tart. As a Ty Draper sacrifice fly scored a tying run for the Wild Kittens, the Awesome Cavewomen became desperate. An onset of immense pressure proved to be so strong that American Fork couldn't make a hit until the bottom of the ninth. The Awesome Cavemen did hold the Wild Kittens scoreless through springing a double play against Woods Cross in the top of the eighth.

The ninth unfolded with Johnson singling into right, and the Wild Kittens loaded the bases on one out. Draper hit Johnson in. The Wild Kittens picked up another two runs on walks.

For the bottom of the ninth, Ybarra singled into center, and a Scharrer sacrifice groundout scored him. Cody Lindeman soon tripled in Holmstead to cut the Wild Kitten lead to 7-6. Dylan Johnston grounded out before Lindeman could score a tying run for the Awesome Cavemen.

That groundout shut the door on American Fork's remaining chances for medal-round play on Saturday.

Awesome AF Cavebatters Exorcise Springville Red Devils 10-3 in Varsity League Play June 10
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publishe
In Varsity League action at American Fork June 10, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen exorcised the Springville Reds, AKA the Helltown Hellions, 10-3.

The game opened with pitcher Spencer "Roony" Shelton walking Hellion Ryan "Jinx" Jenkins. After Taylor "Fallen Angel" Christiansen struck out, Adam "The Snake" Rodriguez doubled in Jenkins, and and a Brinton "Monty" Montgomery double moved The Snake to third. American Fork's stiff defense prevented the Hellions from increasing their 1-0 lead.

A grandnephew of UVU coaching legend Duke Reid, Ryan Reid slugged a one-out single into left in the bottom of the first, and he soon scored on a Hellion error. On one out, Dylan Johnston singled in Shelton for a go-ahead run. A Ryan Hardman single scored Johnston to improve American Fork's lead at 3-1.

Hellion Jantzen "Pitchfork" Thorpe doubled into right during the top of the second, only to become ensnared in an American Fork double play. After Reid after singled in the bottom of the second, Trell Morse singled in Wood on two outs to give American Fork a 4-1 lead.

AKA Helltown, Springville held American Fork scoreless until the fifth, despite Lee Davis smacking a single for the Awesome Cavemen in the fifth. The Hellions had their own problems with picking up additional runs, too. For example, Christensen got stuck on base right after hitting a two-out single in the third. Thorpe's two-out double in the fourth couldn't pave the way for Helltown runs either.

In the bottom of the fifth, Marty McCoy doubled in two Awesome Cavemen to stretch the lead to 6-1. It experienced a nasty slash in the top of the sixth. Hitting an infield single that inning, Christensen came home on a Montgomery sacrifice fly, and Jenkins stole home to cut the lead to 6-3.

American Fork loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, and Morse cleared them with a triple, and he came home on a Travis "T" Johnson single.

The next inning opened with Clayton "Snydely Whiplash" Synder grounding out to second baseman Reid, who had hit four singles during the course of the game. Getting on base through a base through a walk, Ty "Brimstone" Killian got advanced to third on a Jackson "Wild" Child double. Suddenly reliever Johnson struck out Charlie "Frenchie" Fry, a "distant cousin" of Futurama character Phillip J. Fry. First baseman Jake Smith grounded out Jenkins to end the game in a win for the Awesome Cavemen.

Awesome AF Cavemen's 15-Under Division Team Downs Davis Tarts 11-5 in UBA Pool Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 15-under age division team defeated the Davis Darts, AKA the Tarts, 11-5 in a final game of pool play for the Utah Baseball Academy's annual summer tournament.

A "distant cousin" of Beverly Hillbillies character Jane Hathaway and Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway, Tart pitcher Zach Hathaway held the Awesome Cavemen in check during the game's first two innings. American Fork Coach Jason Thomas said, "Davis' pitcher was what they call a thumber, a pitcher who throws so well that it's hard for batters to stay with his timing. We were finally able to stay with it in the third, allowing us to score four runs."

Hathaway's pitching allowed only Dawson Parry to slug a single, which brought in Brayden Howard. By then, though, the Tarts had already taken command of a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the first, Heston "Percy" Perceval singled in Hathaway, and the Tarts picked up their next two runs on a Jonah Haynie single and a Ben Murdock sacrifice groundout.

The Tarts' lead grew to 4-1 in the top of the third when Hathaway hit an in-the-park homer on one out. American Fork retaliated with a five-run rally in the bottom of the third. On two outs, Brayden Howard doubled in Jimbo Flinders to open a five-run charge for the Awesome Cavemen. After Parry had doubled in a run, Stock Brems, a nephew of Awesome Cavewoman volleyball legend Marney Brems, doubled in a run and then came home on a Marty "Do the Hustle" McCoy to put American Fork ahead at 6-5.

Davis tied the game at six on a Lucas Castle, one-run single in the fourth, catcher McCoy turned up a double play that prevented the Tarts from flying back ahead. Singling in the bottom of the sixth, McKay Nelson came home on a Flinders sacrifice groundout to start a five-run rally for American Fork.
No more scoring occurred after the fifth.

Ferocious PG Vikings Defeat Awesome AF Cavemen 8-4 in Semifinals of UBA Preseason Tourney
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a June 13 semifinal final for the Utah Baseball Academy's annual preseason summer tournament, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings relied on very experienced 15-year-old players to help them win 8-4 on the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's home field during semifinal action of the Utah Baseball Academy's annual preseason summer tournament.

As much as the Awesome Cavemen did complain about Pleasant Grove's employment of veteran players in the game, American Fork still hurt itself with three fatal errors during the course of the contest. The first error let Ferocious Viking Brendon Ballantyne score the game's first game in the top of the first. Although the Awesome Cavemen did turn up a double play to retire the Ferocious Vikings that inning, American Fork still demonstrated that it wasn't mentally ready to play. The Awesome Cavemen, in fact, didn't score any runs until the bottom of the third. In the meantime, the Ferocious Vikings built up a big lead.

In the top of the second, Easton Deglebeck doubled into left, and he scored on a Nick Lund sacrifice groundout. Korby Turner singled in Chaz Robinson to stretch the lead to 3-0. During the top of the third, Deglebeck singled in one run and Robinson doubled in another two to gas up a five-run rally for the Ferocious Vikings.

A close relative of Lone Peak Loner baseball coaching legend Danny Schoonover, Shaefer "Schoony" Schoonover came home on a passed ball to set off a four-run rally for American Fork. During the rally, Parry doubled in a run while Connor Bulkley hit a one-run single. Derek Brailsford came home on a passed ball.

Neither team was able to score after the third.

Ferocious PG Vikings' 15-Under Squad Outlast Spanish Fork 6-4 in UBA Preseason Tourney Title Game June 13
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings outlasted the Spanish Fork Dons 6-4 in the Utah Baseball Academy's preseason summer tournament title game for the 15-under age division. Though played on the Alta Tweeties' Sandy diamond, the championship game showed why Utah County had to be recognized as a showcase for championship teams.

Having left home some of the experienced players that they had used in their semifinal win at American Fork, the Ferocious Vikings had to use other kinds of players in the game against the Dons, AKA Gaytowners, because of their city being such a happy place to live.

On one out in the top of the first, the Ferocious Vikings loaded the bases. A Jacob Bullock walk scored Jake Fryer for the first Viking run. PG's lead soon grew to 2-0. Pitcher Easton Deglebeck prevented the Gaytowners from capitalizing on a Dylan Hall single hit in the bottom of the first.

In the second, though, Spanish Fork held Pleasant Grove scoreless, and in the bottom of that inning, Andy Pintar batted in a run while teammate Brock Johnson got tagged at second. Pintar's one-run single sent Spanish Fork on a four-run rally.

The Dons protected their 4-2 lead in the third and fourth innings, despite a Ty Parker single hit in the top of the third.

On one out in the fifth, a Deglebeck single led to Ty Parker singling in a run on two outs. Cole Blackhurst grounded out, however, before Pleasant Grove could get closer to Spanish Fork. A "distant cousin" of TV star Tim Conway, Don Noah Conway singled on two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but Pleasant Grove kept him quarantined on second.

In the top of the sixth, though, Deglebeck hit a left-field single that scored Nick Lund and set off a three-run rally that gave Spanish Fork the tournament title.

Pleasant Grove Coach Mark Norman said, "Deglebeck did a very good job in throwing strikes for us this afternoon against a very good Spanish Fork team. Also, we batted very good."

Openings of Summer Baseball League Play for the Lehi Froggies and Awesome American Fork Cavemen

Timp Sports Weekly

June 9, 2015

Publisher's Message

The recent conclusion of the 2014-15 school hasn't an end to high school baseball. Contrary to popular belief, high school baseball teams play in summer leagues. This issue will touch on the opening week of summer league play for my Awesome American Fork Cavemen and the Lehi Pioneers AKA the Froggies. We will also look at an intercity Pony League baseball that was absolutely riveting, or they say in Lehi, ribbiting. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Skin Mountain View Teddy Bears 18-0 in Scout League Opener June 1

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Scout League opener at Lehi June 1, the Lehi Pioneers skinned the Mountain View Bruins, AKA the Teddy Bears and T-Bears, 18-0.

The combined pitching of Froggies Jace "Shep" Shepherd and Matt "Sour Power" Lemon proved to be a good enough reason for the T-Bears to wish they could go into hibernation. The Teddy Bears couldn't make a hit off either of those Froggies until the top of the fifth when Stinger Bennett whacked a left-field single off Lemon.

"Jace Shepherd threw a no-hitter for us during the four innings that he pitched on the mound," said Lehi Coach Jesse Chapman. In fact, the Teddy Bears couldn't put any runners on base until Shepherd walked Top Bear Andergaard in the top of the fourth.

In the meantime, the Froggies' hitting ensured that the game would not last beyond the fifth inning. Aided by a Zac Rose single, the Froggies leaped ahead 3-0 in the first inning. During the second's lower half, Ray Santa Cruz tripled in two runners to power a seven-run rally for the Froggies. During that scoring stampede, Shepherd, Lemon, Jackson Kohler, and Dixon Driggs each slugged a single for Lehi. During the third's bottom half, one-run doubles, hit by Jordy "Screw Driver" Phillips and Crayfish Colledge, stirred an eight-run rally that knocked the T-Bears out of the game.

AF A's Pull Off Amazing 11-10 Comeback Win Over Lehi Padres in Pony League Play June 2

By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In an inter-city Pony League game played at Bus Manning Field June 2, the American Fork A's pulled off an amazing comeback to win 11-10 over the Lehi Padres.

The game was quite riveting -- correction, ribbiting. In the top of the first, American Fork pitcher Jasper Bronson held those web-footed Padres scoreless through not letting any of them get on base.

After teammate Mayson Jones grounded out in the bottom of the first, Noah Jones singled into left. Brennon Tanner doubled in Noah, but the Padres kept him marooned at second.

The next inning opened with Padre Miley Plimale tripling into left, Lehi took control of the game's momentum. Plimale soon came home on a passed ball, setting off a brief rally. During it, the Padres loaded the bases. Rhett Miner singled in a run, Nate Hancock came home on a Spencer Halls walk, and  a passed ball motivated Nate Hancock to race home, giving the Padres a 4-1 lead.

Getting on base through a walk in the bottom of the second, American Forker Cam Richardson came home on a passed ball. Before the A's could profit from that run, A's Drake Phillips, Jeff Bateman, and Drew Hardman each struck out.

In the top of the third, a Matt "Speedy Al" Alverez single soon led to Lehi loading the bases on walks from Colby "Loose" Luz and Cole Marz, a "distant cousin" of pop singer Bruno Marz. A Dylan Samuels one-run single sparked a six-run rally for the Padres, giving the impression that A's would get flooded off their home field by a Lehi team.

American Fork battled hard to demonstrate that impression would prove to be false. American Fork's comeback effort got off to a rough note when both Mayson and Noah Jones struck out at the start of the third's opening half. Both getting on base through walks, Tanner and Jasper gave the comeback effort a jolt. An infield error let Tanner score a run, and Jasper simply stole home.

Even though Miner singled into left at the start of the fourth inning, he became stranded at second as the next three Padres got out. With the fourth's lower half opening with Drew Hardman striking out, American Fork's cause still looked a lost one. However, through drawing a walk, Mayson Jones soon scored on an overthrow past second base, triggering a rally. During it, Jasper tripled in two runs, and then came home on an error. Parker Dunn doubled in a run, and he raced home on a passed ball to tie the game at 10. Drake Phillips singled in Cam Richardson for the tie-breaking, game-winning run.

Lehi Drops Varsity League Opener to Timpanogos Timberpups June 3
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Varsity League game opener in Orem June 3, the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA Timberpups or T-Pups, outlasted the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, 1-0.
Lehi Coach Jason Ingersoll said, "Our pitching and hitting were good. Our problem tonight was that we couldn't bring guys in. We need to learn to score."
Although the Froggies hammered out five singles during the course of the game, they ended up having seven guys left on base.
On two outs in the top of the first, Froggie Tyler James singled into left, and Broc Hansen soon joined him on base through a T-Pup error at first. Those two Froggies got stranded on base through Kaden Higgins flying out to center.

In the bottom of the first, second baseman Ty Willes grounded out Casey Hamilton, and third baseman Devin Smith pinched Connor Halford with a throw to first baseman Higgins. Though Braden Millet singled into left, he got put out at second.

On two outs in the top of the second, Stock Birch singled into left, but before he could advance to second, he saw teammate Drew Zimmerman fly out to left.

In the bottom of the second, D.J. Martinez singled off pitcher Zimmerman, but the Froggies pinched that T-Pup in a squeeze play between first and second. Zimmerman soon ended the second by striking out Spencer Olson.

The third opened with Broc Hansen singling off reliever Blake Lisake. Soon, though, Hansen became ensnared in a double play that also claimed Tyler James.

Despite a fourth-inning single from Hamilton, Zimmerman and his fielders continued holding the T-Pups at bay until the sixth. After preventing the Froggies from putting runners on base in the top of the fifth, the T-Pups finally had favorable luck swing their way.

After the Froggies had pinched Martinez in a fifth-inning squeeze play between second and third, Spencer Olson hit a one-run single. Lehi efforts at recovering from that RBI all proved to be vain, despite a single from Jason James in the sixth, and a Stock Birth single in the seventh.

Lehi Froggies Defeat Payson Kitties 1-0 in Varsity League Thriller June 4
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Varsity League thriller at Lehi June 4, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, blanked the Payson Lions, AKA Kitties, 1-0.

As the folks in Payson, AKA Kittytown, would say, the game was purrfectly exciting all the way through.

On two outs, Tanner Manning, a grandnephew of late American Fork sports figure Marlowe "The Shiny Guy" Manning, hit a left-field single for the Kitties in the top of the first. In response to that hit, pitcher Jason James struck out Clayton "Fur Ball" Haveron to retire Kittytown to the field.

In the bottom of the first, Kittytown pitcher Stetson "Big Hat" Kay walked James on one out. After Ty James flew out into right field, Jason James stole home. Kay's impressive pitching made sure that the Froggies didn't make any more run after the first inning despite singles from Broc Hansen, Ty James, and Stock Birch 

Kitties couldn't make any more hits themselves after Dusty Wynn had whacked a second-inning single for them.

Kittytown did have much to meow about Manning's performance as a shortstop in the game. Manning's  accurate throws to first base made it tough for Lehi to put Froggies on base. Still, the Kitties' great defensive effort proved not to be enough for them to recover from Jason James' first-inning run.

Awesome AF Cavemen Battle Orem Tiggers to 5-5 Draw in Scout League Play June 5
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Scout League game played at American Fork June 5, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen battled the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers, to a 5-5 draw.

During the first 2 1/2 innings of play, the Tiggers bounced ahead 2-1. Singling in the bottom of the third, Awesome Caveman Ike Garlick came home on Brett Collins Jr.'s sacrifice groundout to tie the game at two.

In the bottom of the fourth, "Smart" Alec Barney got on base through a walk, and he scored on an error that let Cade Parker get on base.

Doubling on one one in the top of the fifth, Tigger Stetsen Madsen scored on a Ty "Ho-Ho" Synder sacrifice groundout to tie the game at three. A short time later, American Fork's infielders got distracted by Nick "Snail" Snell's attempt at stealing second. This allowed Tigger Coop "I Shall Return" MacArthur to steal home for a go-ahead run.

In the to of the seventh, Ty Bradner singled into left, and he stole home to improve the Tigger lead at 5-3. American Fork rallied back again in the game. Ken Weseman doubled in a run, and after the Tiggers had hit American Fork with a double play, Collins singled in Weseman to tie the game at five. American Fork could break the 5-5 tie.

When the seventh ended, the plate umpire told both teams' coaches that under Scout League rules, the contest had to be declared a stalemate.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Orem Tiggers 9-8 in Varsity League Thriller June 5
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher


The Awesome American Fork Cavemen outlasted the Orem Tigers, AKA the Tiggers, 9-8 in Varsity League action at American Fork June 5.

Although Awesome Caveman pitcher Cody Lindeman walked Tigger Paxton "Sergeant" Shultz in the top of the first, that hurler caused Fisker "Springer" Hermansen and Parker "Banger" Wallaston to ground out. Lindeman then struck out Brooks "Anvil" Ringer to retire the Tiggers to the field.

During the bottom of the first, Tua Ward hit a two-out single into left, and Spencer "Roony" Shelton doubled him in. The Awesome Cavemen's 1-0 lead didn't last past the second.

In the top of if, Tyson "Bouncer" Agla singled into right, and on one out, Jimbo "Tag" Kimmell doubled him in. Ty Bradner singled Kimmell to put the Tiggers ahead 2-1. With Orem loading the bases on no outs in the third, a Hunter "Old Kinderhook" Van Buren walk scored Shultz, who had hit a single to open the third. American Fork didn't let the Tiggers score any more runs after that -- until the seventh.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ward singled into left, and Shelton doubled him in to start a three-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen. A Cade Worthen, one-run single kept the rally going strong.

Tripling in the fifth, Hayden "Crazy Horse" Wood came home on a Dillon Johnston triple to set off a four-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen. In the sixth, Johnston whacked a one-run single to put American Fork ahead 9-3.

On one out in the seventh, Ringer tripled in Wallston and Shultz to open a five-run rally, which saw Agla smack a one-run double. American Fork shut the rally down before the Tiggers could tie the score.

AF Starts Utah Baseball Academy Preseason Tournament With Win Over SF Dons June 6By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher
The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 17-under team posted a 3-2 win over the Spanish Fork Dons, the Gaytowners because of their town being such a happy place live, at Spanish Fork June 6, the opening day of the Utah Baseball Academy's annual preseason tournament.

The game opened with Buster "Bunny" Hardman getting on base through a walk. The Awesome Caveman soon stole home. His team made strong efforts at extending its 1-0 lead in the second inning, which saw Awesome Cavemen Jace Ybarra and Dillon Johnston each slug a single. 
Aided by a second-inning double play turned up by Tanner Argyle, Spanish Fork pitcher Riley Daniels held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless until the top of the fifth, despite Trell Morse slugging a fourth-inning single for American Fork.

Meanwhile, in the bottom of the second, Don Logan Rudd got on base through an error at first. A Bridger Baum sacrifice groundout scored Rudd. The Dons then pulled 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Bradford singled in Daniels.
In the top of the fifth, Daniels walked Dillon Johnston, who advanced to third on a Weston Flinders, bunted single. A Hayden Wood sacrifice groundout out scored Johnston, and Buster "Bunny" Hardman singled in Flinders to end the game's scoring.

AF Angels versus PG Brewers in Timp Colt League Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

June 2, 2015

Publisher's Message

Now that the regular high school sports season is completely over, we're now going to be turning our focus to summer baseball leagues. One of them is the Timp Colt League, involving teams from Herriman, American Fork, and Pleasant Grove. In this issue, we look at a May 29 game played between the American Fork Angels and the Pleasant Grove Brewers. Let's take a swing at an account of that game.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

PG Brewer Bubble Up 7-6 Win Over AF Angels in Colt League Play May 29

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Timp Colt League game played at American Fork's Rotary Park May 29, the Pleasant Grove Brewers made things unheavenly for the American Fork Angels by coming from behind to beat them 7-6.

For a while, it looked as though the Angels would zap Pleasant Grove, even though it had players from the Ferocious Viking baseball team that had recently won the State 5-A championship at the expense of the Bingham Miners, AKA the Pickers.

The game's first inning created that impression. After it had opened with Brewer Hayden Wall flying out into left, Justin Henry, a very close relative of Ferocious Viking baseball coach Darin "That's Bush League" Henry, doubled to the left-field fence. However, pitcher Taylor Sabotka struck out Logan Bice and caused Weston Barnhardt to fly out into right before Henry could score a run.

In the bottom of the inning, the Angels became really hot in scoring. Singling to third, Carson Daniels soon came home on a passed ball, stirring up a five-run rally, fueled by three Brewer errors. Braden Griffiths hit the inning's only one-run single to climax the rally.

Taking over pitching duties, Henry held the Angels scoreless until the bottom of the third. Meanwhile, in the top of the second, Barnhardt singled into left, and aided by a Keller "Killa" Atwood single,  Barnhardt soon came on home on a passed ball during two outs. Sabotka struck out Nash Freeman, a "distant relative" of Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman, to retire the Brewers.

They picked up another run in the top  of the third. It opened with Cody Mayland singling into right. On two outs, Austin "Super Powers" Butler singled in Mayland to cut the lead to 5-2.

Hitting a left-field single in the bottom of the third, Grayson "Squirrel" Grandly stole home on two outs. Henry didn't let the Angels make any more runs after the third.

Hitting a one-out double in the top of the fourth, Cambell "Donk" Donkers tried stealing home, but he got tagged at the plate. Donkers threw his helmet down in protest of the call, and the plate umpire threw him out of the game. The Brewers didn't let the ejection shake their moral. With the bases loaded, Freeman singled in a run. Tristan Makin doubled in two runs, and Wall hit a two-run triple to give PG a 7-6 lead.

Angel Taylor Maugg hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fourth, but Pleasant Grove socked American Fork with a double play that it never recovered from.

Awesome AF Cavemen, Evanston Outlaws, and Timpanogos T-Pups

Timp Sports Weekly

May 26, 2015

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at two baseball games played as part of the Rocky Mountain School's Memorial Day weekend tournament. One game involved the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 14-under age division team play a club team from Montana. Another game saw the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA the T-Pups, take on the Evanston Outlaws, a Wyoming-based American Legion baseball team that I covered for the Uinta County Herald in 1997. Let's take a look at those two games.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavemen's 14-Under Division Squad Defeats Montana 10-4 in Memorial Day Invitational Game May 23

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Memorial Day Invitational tournament game played at American Fork's Rotary Park May 23, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen's 14-under age division team defeated Montana 10-4.

American Fork Coach Jeff Thomas said, "Montana scored their first three runs in the first inning. We didn't make any runs until the third inning. We scored four runs that inning. After we had let them take that 3-0 lead on us, we told our guys, 'Quit swinging for the fences. Just make contact with the the ball. That was what we started doing in the third inning."

American Fork demolished the Montana squad in the fourth. With pitcher Connor Bulkley holding the Big Sky State players scoreless that inning, his Awesome Cavemen unleashed a string of devastating hits in the bottom of the fourth. Having hit a triple earlier in the game, American Fork's Stock Brems, a nephew of Awesome Cavewoman volleyball legend Marnie Breems, tripled in two runs to power a six-run rally in the fourth. During that rally, Shaffer "Schoony" Schoonover singled in two runs while Bulkley and Derek Brailsford each socked a one-run.

American Fork's devastating rally didn't stop Montana from scoring a fourth run in the game. After teammate Squeezer McGowan grounded out in the top of the fifth, Montana's Bull Konig singled into left, and he stole home. American Fork responded to that run by staging a double play.

In holding the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, Montana's orange-uniformed players attempted to rally back in the sixth. It opened witn Bulkley walking Parker "Thunder Clap" Strong. Montana couldn't get anywhere with Strong's walk. American Fork caused him to be stranded on base.

Timpanogos T-Pups Lock Up Evanston Outlaws 9-2 in Memorial Day Invitational May 23
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

After having recently finished fourth at in the state 4-A baseball tournament, the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA Timberpups and T-Pups, posted a 9-2 win over the Evanston Outlaws, a Wyoming-based American Legion team, during a Memorial Day Invitational tournament game plahyed on the Mountain View Teddy Bears' home diamond May 23.

With the tournament sponsored by the Rocky Mountain School of Baseball, the Timberpups fielded a team for the invitational's 18-under age division. Because of the tournament's format, Timpanogos was able to play American Legion teams. One of them turned out to be Evanston.

The Outlaws are familiar to me. As I mentioned in my publisher's message, I covered them in 1997 when I worked at the Uinta County Herald. (I had quit that paper over some bitter feelings towards a managing editor, who had left the Herald two months before I did.) Since baseball isn't an official high school sport up in Wyoming, the only way Evanstonian boys can have a crack at fulfilling dreams of playing in the NCAA's College World Series or seeing action in the Major Leagues' World Series, is to go out for the Outlaws' team.

One look at it can make lots of Utah American Legion baseball clubs jealous. For one thing, the Outlaws' games are all broadcasted on an Evanston radio station. (I remember one-time sportscaster Don Lund broadcasting Outlaw games for the old KEVA-AM in the summer of 1997.) That was the case for the Timpanogos game. A trio of Wyoming sportscasters showed up for that contest, and from a table west of the Timberpup dugout, those guys called play-by-play action. The details that those sportscasters relayed to their Evanston listeners were not things that Outlaw fans appreciated hearing.

For one thing, T-Pup pitcher Blake Lasike posting four strikeouts while holding the Outlaws hitless and scoreless during the first three innings. Of course, Lasike did walk leadoff hitter Ian "Big Bass" Fisher in the top of the first. Its upper half ended with the T-Pups lassoing the Outlaws with a double play.

In the bottom of the first, T-Pup Tanner Evans singled into left, and before long, the T-Pups loaded the bases on one out. D.J. Martinez hit a three-run double to open the game's scoring. Evanston pitcher Fisher struck out Lasike, and Dillon Favilla flew out to center fielder Leland Tucker.

Walked by Fisher in the bottom of the second, T-Pup Kaden Walker came home on a Wade Deveridge sacrifice fly. The Outlaws didn't let the T-Pups make any more runs that inning.

The third's lower half opened with Casey Hamilton, a "distant cousin" of US Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, slugging an infield single. After Martinez popped out to shortstop Braeden "E-I-O" McDonald, a Ty Cornish sacrifice groundout scored Hamilton.

The Outlaws delivered a slash to the T-Pups' 6-0 in the top of the fourth. It opened with Lasike walking 

Chandler Anderson and Big Beau Lloyd. Though Lasike struck out Baltizar "Ball" Horrendo, Fisher doubled in Anderson, and Lloyd came home on an error. Those two runs demonstrated to the T-Pups that even though Evanston was a non-high school team, it now had to be taken seriously.

In the bottom of the fourth, Favilla doubled into left, and Jake Brooksby singled him in one out, only to get pinched in a fielder's choice play at second.

In the top of the fifth, center fielder Hamilton snatched a Will "Whirlwind" Kishpaugh fly ball, and shortstop Evans grounded out Alex Richins. Hunter "Brew" Dru whacked a single in hopes of enabling his Outlaws to go on a two-out rally. However, However, Lasike grounded out Griffy Mitchell, keeping Dru stuck on base.

The Outlaws held the T-Pups scoreless in the bottom of the fifth. In the sixth's lower half, though, a Martinez walk opened the way for a big T-Pup rally. It unfolded with Cornish singling in Martinez. Catcher Richins delivered a throw to second baseman Miles Piper to put out Favilla. In response to put that putout, a Walker sacrifice groundout scored a run, and Brooksby single reeled in a runner to put stretch the lead to 9-2.

On two outs in the top of the seventh, Fisher and McDonald each singled a fly ball deep into the outfield. However, Lasike struck out Tucker Leland to end the game, which to baseball fans in Evanston was an unhappy ending. To Timpanogos supporters, though, the game's outcome was something they wanted to howl about through the rest of the day.

The T-Pups lost a semifinal game to Olympus Titans, AKA the Midgets, on Memorial Day. The Midgets defeated the Timberpups 7-2.Played at the Mountain View Teddy Bears' home field, that contest saw the T-Pups trail the entire game.

The Midgets took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. In the bottom of the second, Hamilton singled in Evans. The T-Pups loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, giving them a chance of at least tying the game at two. Though a Lasike walk scored Halford, the Midgets prevented the T-Pups from pulling ahead.

Producing a game total of seven hits, the Midgets held the Timberpups scoreless through the rest of the game. Olympus picked up one run in the fourth, then in the seventh, the Midgets scored two runs on a walk and a sacrifice groundout to put the game away.

The Timberpups cranked out eight hits, but poisoned themselves with two fatal errors. Evans and Martinez each slugged two singles for the T-Pups.

Two Lehi Froggie Soccer Games and a Froggie-Loner JV Baseball Duel

Timp Sports Weekly

May 12, 2015

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at two soccer games that the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, won. We will also look at a junior varsity baseball game that the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, won the Lehi Froggies' field. Let's look at the accounts of those games.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Lehi Froggies Win 3-1 in Soccer Thriller Against Westlake Shockers April 29

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Region Four boys' soccer game at Lehi April 29, the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, defeated the Westlake Thunder, AKA the Shockers, 3-1.

Froggie Alec Sorenson scored the game's first goal on a Ben Plott assist during the first period. The game's score stayed at 1-0 until the final 15 minutes of regulation play.

At 15:00, Lehi fans croaked joyously as they watched Dallas Mosher score the Froggies' second goal. As the next 12 minutes wound down, the Froggies looked as though they would win 2-0. However, Shocker Alex Webb shocked Lehi by scoring a goal during a throw-in at 3:12.

So for the next two minutes, the game looked as though it might go into overtime. Leo Fuchs spared Lehi from that worry by scoring on an indirect kick made by Plott.

Lehi Coach Jerry Prisendorf said, "Westlake just kept coming at us. We were lucky to make the critical shots when we needed to have them."

Lehi Froggies Hop Past Lone Peak Loners 1-0 in Region 4 Boys' Soccer Finale
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

By a fortunate accident, a Lehi player's intended pass turned into a winning shot for the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, in their 1-0 win at home over the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, during Region Four boys' soccer action.

In the game's first half, Froggie Jamon Hafen recalled, "I made a cross that was meant for Connor Miles. Instead of going to him, the pass bounced off a Lone Peak player's head, and the ball went into the net for the goal."

Hafen's goal didn't spark a scoring run for the Froggies. The Loners kept them from making any more goals. However, Froggie goalies Tanner "Muncy" Munson and Dalton Petersen pooled their efforts together to prevent the Loners from making any goals, despite frequent Loner attacks led by Ty Hutchinson, Cade Low, and Jaxon Henley.

Leo Fuchs, Kyle Curtis, and Alex Sorenson guided many long Lehi attacks that severely tested the resolve of Loner goalie Kostner Olsen, who didn't let the Froggies make any further goals after Hafen had put Lehi on the board.

Lehi Coach Jerry Prisendorf said, "Tonight was senior night, and our seniors showed great leadership tonight, especially in the back field. The only thing that was on the line tonight was bragging rights, because Lone Peak had already won the region championship before today. Still, it was great for us to win tonight as we get ready to play Viewmont at 4 in the state playoffs this Tuesday."

"Because I wanted my starters ready for state, I had my entire bench play tonight," said Lone Peak Coach Blaine Hale. "With us already being region champs, we didn't really have anything to lose tonight."

Lone Peak Loners Defeat Lehi Froggies 14-4 in a JV Baseball Game May 2
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a nine-inning, junior varsity baseball game at Lehi May 2, the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, dried up the Lehi Pioneers 14-4.

Until the ninth inning, the game was riveting -- correction, ribbiting. In the top of the first, for example, the Loners charged ahead 2-0. The Froggies leaped onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Broc Hansen singled in Ty Willes.

Preventing the Loners from putting any runners on base in the top of the second, the Froggies got a one-out double from Clayton Driggs in the bottom of that inning. The Loners kept Driggs chained on base, however.

On two outs in the top of the third, Loner Cole "Spades" Gambill singled into left, and Payton Freeman tripled him in. The Froggie defense tightened up after that Loner RBI. Through the combined pitching of relievers Brett "Mister" Roberts and Zac Bingham, the Froggies held the Loners scoreless in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.

Though Jackson Kohler clubbed two straight singles for the Froggies during the game's first five innings, they couldn't put together an effective attack on the Loners' 3-1 lead until the bottom of the sixth. That inning, singles from Stock Birch and Devin Hanki enabled the Froggies to load the bases on no outs. Zac Bingham hit a three-run double that put Lehi ahead 4-3.

The Froggies' lead couldn't last past the eighth inning. In the top of it, Brigham Trowbridge doubled in a run that unleashed an eight-run rally for the Loners. The rally saw Loners hit a total of four one-run doubles. Besides Brigham Trowbridge, the other Loners who each hit a one-run double in the rally included Colonel Cutter Easton, McCrae Trowbridge, and Spades Gambill.

McCrae Trowbridge concluded the game's scoring by whacking a three-run homer that put the score at 14-4. Lone Peak held Lehi scoreless in the game's final three innings, despite a Hankis single hit in the bottom of the ninth.

Lone Peak jayvee coach Beau "Do the Hustle"McCoy said, "We changed our approach at the plate whenever we would find ourselves behind on a count, especially in the eighth inning when we had that big rally."

Awesome AF Cavemen-Riverton Silverpup JV Baseball Doubleheader

Timp Sports Weekly

April 28, 2015

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at a junior varsity baseball doubleheader played between my Awesome American Fork Cavemen and the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups. Both games, as they tend to say in Riverton, were howlingly close. Besides the thrilling games played against the Silverpups, we will also look at how the Awesome Cavemen did against the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, in an April 18 jayvee doubleheader. Let's look at those games.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavemen Sweep Riverton Silverpups in JV Baseball Doubleheader April 26

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In both games of a junior varsity baseball doubleheader that they hosted on April 26, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen defeated the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA Silverpups, by scores of 5-2 and 6-5.

During the top of the first, American Fork pitcher Tua Ward gave up a left-field, one-out double to Silverpup Stone "Ewell" Gibbons. That Silverpup became stuck at second as Gibbons watched Cody Harrison fly out to center fielder Kastan Rasmussen and third baseman Mick Madsen ground out Jake White.

In the bottom of the first, Buster "Bunny" Hardman and Madsen each singled off pitcher Kody Nelson.  Madsen's singled scored Hardman, and Madsen came home on Dillon Johnston's two-out single. The Silverpups pinched Johnston in a forceout at second to end the first inning.

Through the five innings that he pitched, Ward held the Silverpups scoreless, though he did give up a single to Harrison in the fourth inning.

Meanwhile, American Fork couldn't renew its scoring until the bottom of the third. After Madsen had grounded out at the start of that inning's lower half, Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead tripled into center. Jace Ybarra singled in Holmstead, and he then came home on Colt Scharer's two-out double. 

During the bottom of the fourth, the Awesome Cavemen expected that they would capitalize on a two-out double hit by Weston Flinders, a little brother of Awesome Cavewoman soccer legend Lankin Flinders. Right after Weston's hit, however, Hardman flew out to right fielder Kaden Palmer.

American Fork did receive another chance to renew its scoring when Ybarra singled on two outs in the fifth's lower half. That opportunity vanished abruptly as Nelson struck out Trell Morse, a distant cousin of former Biggest Contestant Hap Holmstead.

Taking over pitching duties in the top of the sixth, Speedster Holmstead, Hap's little brother, had a slightly rough start. First, Speedster walked Nelson and then gave up a center-field double to Zach "Hardtack" Larsen. Jeff Lillywhite smacked a sacrifice fly into the glove of center fielder Kastan Rasmussen, and Nelson came home for the first Silverpup run. Harrison singled in Larsen to cut the lead to 4-2. Before the Silverpup rally could progress any further, Madsen turned up a double play.

Doubling into left at the start of the sixth's lower half, Johnson got doubled in by Scharer. Hopes of staging a long rally soon vanished. After Chandler "Crazy Horse" Wood and Rasmussen had both flown out, Scharer tried stealing third base, but third baseman Kaden Wilson tagged him in a squeeze, ending American Fork scoring for the game.

Though Speedster Holmstead walked Wilson at the start of the seventh inning, that pitcher didn't let the next three Silverpup hitters get on base through striking out Flint "Shaker" Salter and Driscoll "Disco" Stone and causing Palmer to ground out to Madsen.

For the second game, it had to take the Awesome Cavemen eight innings to quiet the Silverpups. Those Riverton players had much to howl about the first six innings of that game, for they secured a 4-1 lead over the Awesome Cavemen.

A "distant cousin" of 1970's rock star Leon "Walking on a Tight Wire" Russell, Silverpup Blake Russell held the Awesome Cavemen scoreless for five of the game's first six innings. Save for a Speedster Holmstead triple in the first and a Cole "Nails" Carpenter, one-out single in the third, American Fork couldn't make a hit off Russell until the fifth. So the Awesome Cavemen had to rely on putting out a strong defense in order to stay in the game.

Now in the top of the first, the Silverpups leaped ahead 2-0 on a Dillon Sanchez single and a Cole Anderson double. In the bottom of the inning, Speedster Holmstead tripled into center and scored an overthrow past third base.

The situation became really scary for American Fork in the top of the fourth. It opened with Anderson singling off pitcher Madsen. Russell doubled in Anderson. After catcher Buster "Bunny" Hardman had picked off a Gabe Stevens pop fly, A.J. Tebbs, a nephew of Bingham High basketball legend K.C. Tebbs, slugged a single that moved Russell to third. Madsen struck out Brock Anderson and Gunner "Spiegle" Schmidt to keep the score at stuck at 3-1. Russell prevented the Awesome Cavemen from putting any runners on base in the bottom of the fourth.

American Fork had Hardman pitch during the fifth and sixth innings. Though Sanchez singled off Hardman in the fifth and Stevens whacked a center-field single in the sixth, American Fork's reliever held the Silverpups scoreless.

Two-out singles, hit by Johnston and Scharer, enabled the Awesome Cavemen to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth. Rasmussen flew out to center fielder Gage Morris before American Fork could spark a scoring rally.

The game turned dark for American Fork when Sanchez hit a seventh-inning, two-run double off reliever Taylor Sobatka to improve the Silverpup lead at 5-1. After the seventh's lower half opened with Speedster Holmstead grounding out, a Ybarra single and a Morse double kept American Fork alive long enough to battle back to force the game into an extra inning. After Johnston had singled in Ybarra. Scharer got hit by a pitch, loading the bases on one out. Crazy Horse Wood singled in two runs, and Scharer stole home on a passed ball to tie the game at five.

The eighth's top half opened with Cole Anderson singling into left, only to get tagged in a fielder's choice play at second. A Stevens single gave the impression that Russell would soon make a tie-breaking run for Riverton. However, shortstop Holmstead turned up a double play that retired the Silverpups to the field.

With the eighth's lower half opening with a Flinders single hit into left, American Fork seemed certain of pulling out a win. That prospect darkened slightly through Hardman grounding out. Right after Madsen had whacked an infield single, Holmstead got intentionally walked, loading the bases. That action quickly proved to be fatal for the Silverpups, for Ybarra drew a walk next, scoring pinch runner McCade "Zipper" Worthen for the winning run.

American Fork jayvee coach Jay Holmstead said, "Our players never gave, especially during the second game. Everybody kept the hitting line moving."

American Fork will take this week off, but will be in action during a series against the Westlake Thunder, AKA the Shockers, two Tuesdays from now. The Awesome Cavemen's last varsity series against the Shockers ended with a road loss at Westlake's Saratoga Springs field.

Awesome AF Cavebatters Sweep JV Baseball Doubleheader at Lone Peak April 18
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's jayvee baseball swept an April 18 doubleheader at Lone Peak by scores of 9-1 and 6-4. The Awesome Cavemen's dual wins over the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, came in the immediate aftermath of American Fork varsity team dropping three straight games to Lone Peak.

Although the outcome of the jayvee doubleheader couldn't undo the outcomes of the Loner-Awesome Caveman varsity series, the American Fork jayvees still took home something to be proud of.

The doubleheader's first game opened with Loner third baseman Payton Freeman grounding out Buster "Bunny" Hardman. Mick Madsen singled into left, and on two outs, Tua Ward singled him in, only to get forced out at second.

Although the first's lower half opened with Loner Cole "Spades" Gambill doubling into left, pitcher Ward held the Loners scoreless for the first three inning. The Awesome Cavemen's lead stayed at 1-0 until the top of the fourth. That inning, Awesome Caveman Trell Morse, a distant cousin of teammate Hagan "Speedster" Holmstead, singled into center, and on one outs, Dillon Johnston tripled him in. The  Loners answered that RBI through Brigham Trowbridge doubling in Gambill in the bottom of the fourth. That was the only run that the Loners could make in the game.

In the sixth's top half, Ward tripled in Holmstead to open a four-run, fueled by a Morse double and a Johnston triple. Even though Loner Talmage Lamb chopped a single in the bottom of the sixth, shortstop Holmstead turned up a double play that held the Loners scoreless. American Fork picked up three insurance runs in the seventh to put the game away.

In the second game, Cole Gambill came home on a passed ball in the bottom of the first to put the Loners ahead 1-0. While holding American Fork scoreless in the first three innings, the Loners scored two runs in the bottom of the second on an error and a walk.

American Fork kept Lone Peak's lead stuck at 3-0 in the third and fourth innings. During the fifth, American Fork loaded the bases on one out, and a Colt Scharer sacrifice groundout scored two runs for the Awesome Cavemen.

In the bottom of the fifth, Lamb chopped a single that moved McCrae Trowbridge into scoring position.  Caden Santiago singled Trowbridge in. American Fork didn't let the Loners make any more runs after that inning.

Lone Peak still stahyed ahead 4-2 until the top of the seventh. A Hardman single that inning quickly led to American Fork loading the bases on no out. Morse hit a three-run triple, and he then came home on a  Cole "Nails" Carpenter double to give the Awesome Cavemen a 6-4 lead, which turned out to be the final score.

American Fork jayvee coach Jay Holmstead said, "I think we came out hitting strong in the first game. We didn't panic when we got behind in the second game. Though we left eight or nine guys in scoring position, we never gave up. We just couldn't a rally going in the second game until its seventh inning."

Awesome AF Cavewoman Softball and Sibling Rivalry in Prep Baseball

Timp Sports Weekly

April 14, 2015

Publisher's Message

I spent this recent Spring Break covering an Awesome American Cavewoman softball game against the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA the Timberpups and T-Pups. I also covered some baseball games played between the Awesome Cavemen and the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies. Three of those games were contests in which the head coaches were brothers. We'll look at those games, which I promise you were quite riveting, or as they say in Lehi, ribitting. So let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott

Publisher

magnanovelist@gmail.com

Awesome AF Cavewomen Defeat Timpanogos T-Pups 5-4 in Softball Action April 6

By Dean Von Memmott

Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a non-league softball game played at American Fork April 6, the Awesome American Fork Cavewomen defeated the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, 5-4.

Although bragging rights were the only things on the line, the two teams played as though they were vying for the privilege of going to state. American Fork and Timpanogos battled to a scoreless tie in the first inning.

In the top of the second inning, Kelise Christensen hit a two-out triple to bring in fellow T-Pup Maggie,   who had singled into left. The T-Pups' 1-0 lead didn't last for long. Hitting a one-out single in the bottom of the second, Anna Varganson soon came home on Shawnie Hillman's ground-rule double, hit into left field.

With the Awesome Cavewomen holding the T-Pups scoreless in the third and the fourth, American Fork pulled head during those two innings. Thanks to two Timberpup errors, the Awesome Cavewommen loaded the bases on two outs in the bottom of the third. With Brook Hill getting beaned by an Addie Gillespie pitch, Tristy Tusinga came home for a go-ahead run. In the bottom of the fourth, Savannah "Smiles" Stephenson singled in Allie Winter to stretch American Fork's lead to 3-1.

In the top of the fifth, Marissa "Super" Dale singled in Mikayla Hutchison and Jade Kapler to tie the game at three. In the bottom of the fifth, Stephenson singled Winter in again, but got thrown out in a fielder's choice play at second.

With the T-Pups loading bases on two outs in the top of the sixth, a Hutichison walk scored another tying run for them. A T-Pup error in the bottom of the inning let Varganson come home for the winning run.

American Fork Coach Leslie Warre said, "We played really great defense. We weren't surprised that Timpanogos kept coming back. They're a very determined team. We learned a lot from this game and the Provo Invitational last weekend, where we posted a 4-0 record."

Awesome AF Cavemen Sweep 3-Game Varsity Series Against Lehi Froggies
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's varsity baseball team spent its recent Spring Break Week playing against the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, coached by AF head Jarod "Prankster" Ingersoll's little brother Jason. The series showed that even though a rivalry definitely existed between those two brothers on the diamond, they were still willing to smile for a photograph taken of them right after Game 3 of the series. (The photograph was later published on Facebook.)

The Awesome Cavemen dried up the Froggies in all three games of the series. In the first game, which went nine innings, the Awesome Cavemen outlasted their arch rivals 11-5. In lasting only five innings, Game 2 saw American Fork drain Lehi 17-1. American Fork edged out Lehi 3-1 in Game 3.

In the first inning of Game 1, singles from Mick Madsen and Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead enabled American Fork to load the bases on no outs. Quicker than you could say Ali Lamb Chop, a Dallin Searle walk scored Kody "Coco" Hall to start a three-run rally for the Awesome Cavemen. Seth "Needles" Taylor and Jake Norton each singled in a run during that rally. Pitcher Drew "Zimmy" Zimmerman struck out Sir Turner Knight and Hayden "Chief" Wood to shut down the rally.

In the bottom of the first, pitcher Searle didn't let a single Froggie get on base. Zimmerman didn't let the Awesome Cavemen make any runs during the second and third innings, though Taylor "Guard Dog" Gardner did club a left-field single in the top of the third.

Meanwhile, the Froggies leaped back into the game. In the bottom of the second, Jason James tripled in Kelt Higgins. The next inning, Blake Smith slugged a two-out single to reel in fellow Froggie Broc Hansen to shorten the lead to 3-2.

Tripling into left at the start of the fourth, Wood came home on a Hall sacrifice fly, but despite a Holmstead single hit into left field, American Fork couldn't get a rally going.

Within Kelton Higgins and Ryan Barnes each whacking a single in the bottom of the fourth, the Froggies loaded the bases on two outs. Before the Froggies could leap ahead that inning, right fielder Norton picked off a Cam Grace fly ball.

In the fifth, Gardner and Norton each slugged a single to give American Fork a chance for staging a rally. However, right fielder Blake Smith picked off two straight flies to keep the Awesome Cavemen scoreless in the fifth.

When Tyler James' one-out double had moved Koy Smith, a great-grandson of late American Fork sportswriter Johnny Roberts, to third in the bottom of the fifth, Jarod Ingersoll had Justin DeMarco, a grandnephew of my former schoolmate Ken DeMarco, take over pitching duties. The pitching change  didn't stop the Froggies from leaping ahead. Kelton Higgins singled in two runs to tie the game at four, and his brother Kaden hit a tie-breaking, one-run single. Kaden Higgins' RBI gave the Froggies much to croak about -- until the top of the seventh.

With no outs in the top of the seventh, Buster "Bunny" Hardman singled in Gardner to tie the game at five. Lehi received a fair chance to win the game in the bottom of that inning when the Froggies loaded the bases on two outs. However, reliever Norton struck out Ty Willes to force the game into extra innings.

Neither team could put runners on base in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, the Froggies' morale got hit by two big blows. One of those blows was the ejection of reliever Jason James from the game. That Froggie could not see action again until Friday. The other big blow to Lehi was a six-run rally that began with a Gardner sacrifice fly that scored Holmstead. With Sir Turner and Norton each bunting in a run, the rally moved at top speed. After a Wood sacrifice fly had scored a run, Hall tripled in two runs to put American Fork's lead at 11-5. Norton held the Froggies scoreless in the bottom of the seventh.

Jarod Ingersoll said, "Jason's had a great rapport with his players. They gave us great battle today. They beat in one game in our series with them last year. They're not to be underestimated. I am glad, though, that our guys held up under the pressure of those two extra innings to stage that six-run rally that earned us the win."

With rainy weather delaying Game 2, local baseball fans still expected that it would be still as riveting -- correction, ribbiting as Game 1. Played at American Fork, the second game was a letdown. In the first inning, for example, the Froggies committed four errors, which helped turn the contest into a blowout win for American Fork. Meanwhile pitcher Sir Turner Knight didn't let the Froggies make a single hit until the fourth when Grace singled into left.

The Awesome Cavemen scored all of their 17 runs in the first two innings. In the bottom of the first, for example, Hall doubled into left, and he soon came home on the first Froggie error. After Searle bunted in a run, Norton and Holmstead each swatted a two-run double to fuel the Awesome Cavemen's 10-run rally in the first.

A Gardner double set the stage for the Awesome Cavemen's seven-run rally in the second. Soon after hitting that two-bagger, Gardner got bunted in by Sir Turner. By the time the Froggies finally shut American Fork's scoring for the day, the Awesome Cavemen had accumulated a 17-0 lead.

Hit by a pitch at the start of the fifth, Kelt Higgins scored the Froggies' only run of the game on a Willes' sacrifice fly.

Game 2's outcome left Jarod and Jason Ingersoll's mom, Jean, crying. She said she wished Lehi could have played better. Jarod Ingersoll said, "Turner came out and slammed the door hard on Lehi. We know what a hard loss today was for Jason's team. We've been there a few times ourselves. I'm sure Jason's players will learn from today and move on."

On Friday, the Froggies definitely did play as a completely different kind of team. They battled the Awesome Cavemen to a scoreless tie until the sixth inning. Moreover, American Fork didn't make any hits until the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, Sir Turner singled into center, and he soon came home on a Hall single. American Fork loaded the bases soon afterwards, and a Holmstead walk produced the second Awesome Caveman run. Lehi suddenly popped American Fork with a double play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Blake Smith singled on two outs into left, and Tyler James batted him in. Shortstop Kody Hall grounded out Kelton Higgins to protect American Fork's 2-1 lead.

On two outs in the top of the seventh, Sir Turner hit a one-run single that improved American Fork's lead at 3-1. In the bottom of the seventh, center fielder Taylor made a diving catch of a Kayden Higgins fly ball, enabling American Fork to make short work of Lehi.

Jarod Ingersoll said, "Jason James kept us in check for those first five innings. We finally grinded out some hits in the sixth, though. We had great communication between pitcher Hayden Wood and catcher Ty Gardner. They came up with some great plays for us in today's game.

"As for my brother, he's done a hell of a good job with these kids playing for him. For a long time, Lehi has been a door mat for other baseball teams, because Lehi didn't have a coach how to play as well as they're doing now. Lehi has to be taken seriously now."

Awesome AF Cavemen Fall to Lehi Froggies in Sophomore Baseball Game April 9
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

With foul spring break weather shortening their sophomore baseball series against the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, to one game, the Awesome American Fork Cavemen found themselves having to wait until 2016 to have another shot at trying to beat their webfooted rivals. In an April 9 game at American Fork, the Froggies leaped past the Awesome Cavemen 7-6.

The game opened with Froggie Andy Johnson singling into left. A nephew of former Timpanogos Timberpup Coach Mark Hardman, Ryan Hardman answered that hit by turning up a double play.

Neither team could score until the bottom of the second when Spencer "Rooney" Shelton singled in Hardman on two outs. Weston Flinders singled in Shelton.

With American Fork holding Lehi scoreless during the game's first four innings, the Awesome Cavemen got their third run in the third when Cole "Nails" Carpenter hammered a single that brought in Brit Warner.

The game went downhill for the Awesome Cavemen in the top of the fifth. Froggie Clayton Drigg drilled a left-field double that scored Zach Bingham and unleashed a four-run rally fueled by a Slick Clark double. With Chandler "Crazy Horse" Wood hitting a double in the bottom of the fifth, Carpenter singled him to tie the game at four, and he came home on a Dillon Johnston single to put American Fork ahead 5-4.

In the sixth's top half, Bingham batted in Ty Willes to tie the game five, and the Froggies held American Fork scoreless that inning. During the sixth, the Froggies leaped ahead 7-5 on one-singles whacked by Cam "Coop" Cooper and Willes. On one out in the bottom of the sixth's lower half, Carpenter singled in Wood, who had doubled a few minutes before. The next American Fork batters flew out before Carpenter could score the winning run.

Awesome AF Cavemen Defeat Lehi Froggies 2-1 in JV Baseball Series
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Awesome American Fork Cavemen's junior varsity baseball team won a series against the Lehi Pioneers, AKA the Froggies, two games to one during the recent Spring Break Week.

In April 9 action, the Froggies hopped past American Fork 10-5 on the Awesome Cavemen's home diamond. However, in an April 11 doubleheader at Lehi, the Awesome Cavemen dried up Lehi by scores of 7-1 and 12-2.

The Awesome Cavemen apparently believed that Lehi's jayees were as mentally unprepared as the Froggies' varsity players were for the April 9 tripleheader that American Fork hosted. That assumption of American Fork's jayvees' turned out to be wrong. The Froggies were indeed ready to play in Game 1 of the series.

In the top of the first, Lehi loaded the bases on one out, and Ty James scored a run on a Stockton Birch sacrifice fly. American Fork tied the game at one in the bottom of the inning, but Lehi pulled ahead 2-1 when Kaden Higgins hit a two-out, one single in the third.

During the bottom of the fourth, American Fork went on a  three-run rally in the fourth, thanks to a Buster "Bunny" Hardman single, but the Awesome Cavemen's 4-2 lead vanished through an eight-run that the Froggies launched on a Zac Bingham double in the sixth. American Fork never recovered from that inning despite s one-run, seventh inning single hit by Ryan Hardman.

In the bottom of the first inning of Game 2 of the series, Kelton Higgins hit a one-run single to put the Froggies on the scoreboard first. On two outs in the top of the second, Colt Scharer scored on an error, tying the game at one.

With the Awesome Cavemen holding the Froggies scoreless through the rest of the game, American Fork pulled ahead in the third. On one out in the top of that inning, Mick Madsen doubled left, and he came home on a Tua Ward single. A Kastan Rasmussen sacrifice fly scored Hagen "Speedster" Holmstead.

During the fourth, the Awesome Cavemen scored two runs on an error and Cole "Nails" Carpenter groundout.

With American Fork loading the bases in the fifth, Madsen stole home, and Trell Morse singled in Rasmussen to put the game's final score at 7-1.

On one out in the first inning of Game 3, Tua Ward singled in Madsen to open a four-run rally for American Fork. Colt Schareer doubled in three runs to improve the Awesome Caveman lead at 4-0. in the bottom of the first, a Broc Hansen sacrifice fly scored a run, but American Fork didn't the Froggies get another run until the third.

In the second, American Fork went on another four-run rally, hinting that the game wouldn't last seven innings. It didn't.

In the third's lower half, Jared Anderson stole home, but American Fork didn't let the Froggies make any more runs after that inning.

American Fork picked up two fifth-inning runs on a Tua Ward double, and in the sixth, Marty "Do the Hustle" McCoy hit a one-run single that sparked a four-run rally that put the game away from American Fork.

American Fork Jayvee coach Jay Holmstead, "Oh, forget about last Thursday. Our guys played really great defense today. It enabled us to sweep both of these games."