ST. GEORGE — Early action Friday saw Pine View drop a morning game to American Fork, while Desert Hills captured a pair of wins over visiting West Jordan and Carbon.
American Fork 9, Pine View 4
Playing a game at 9:30 in the morning was strange enough. Then factor in the eight combined errors and six unearned runs and it’s further confirmation that preseason March tournaments can be a little wacky.
The Cavemen, a Region 4 5A powerhouse that went 20-9 last season, broke open a close game with five runs in the top of the sixth inning to come away with the win.
The Panthers stayed close, trailing just 4-3 heading into the sixth. But American Fork brought 10 men to the plate and scored five runs on four hits to turn the game into a runaway.
It started with a hit batsman at the No. 9 spot. After a sacrifice bunt by the Cavemen, three straight hitters found empty spots for the ball to land. The big blow came on a two-run double by Dallin Searle. Pine View also aided the big rally with an error, a walk and two passed balls.
Ty Johnston had a pair of hits and scored twice for the Panthers. Hunter Hansen was 2 for 3 at the plate and Harrison Goebel struck out eight in four innings of work, though he did give up four walks and three runs.
Pine View, 3-3 on the season, plays again Saturday, with a noon game against another 5A school, Pleasant Grove. Like Friday’s game, the contest will be at Bruce Hurst Field.
Stats: afpv31315
Desert Hills 5, West Jordan 4
Desert Hills 7, Carbon 4
The Thunder improved to 5-2 on the young season with a pair of victories on Friday.
Against the Jaguars, Desert Hills led most of the game. But the 4-1 advantage evaporated in the seventh as West Jordan rallied to tie the contest and send it into extras.
Chance Milne was the hero in the bottom of the eighth, bringing home Cam Winget with a sacrifice fly for the winning run. Kayson Bowler started against West Jordan and also picked up the save in the second game.
Winget and Brayson Hurdsman were the hitting heroes in the second game.
“Cam Winget really hit the ball well today,” Dh coach Jerry Beck said. “Brayson Hurdsman and Wyatt Bendall are also swinging it well.”
Freshman Chad Nelson pitched in the second game for the Thunder, keeping the Dinos in check while the Thunder bats took care of the rest. Bowler pitched the seventh, facing just three batters as the game ended on a sweet 6-4-3 double play started by shortstop Braiden Irvin.
“We were trying to save our other two arms for tomorrow and so we went with Chad,” Beck said. “He did a good job of getting us through that game.”
The loss of all-state pitcher Dylan File has D-Hills feeling the pressure on the mound. But Beck said he feels good early on about the way things are going.
“We feel really good about our top three, Brayson Hurdsman, Braiden Irvin and Kayson Bowler,” he said. “All three of those guys pitched quite a bit for us last year and they’re solid. We’re still trying to piece together four, five and six. We’re not really built for tournaments right now. Hopefully we can develop that as the year goes on.”
So far the Thunder, 5-2, are averaging more than six runs a game while allowing just over three runs per contest. DH plays at 11 a.m. in the Invitational semifinals and 3 p.m. in the finals if they win that one.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Panther starting pitcher Harrison Goebel, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Pine View Panthers prepare for their game, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News An American Fork player puts the ball in play, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Tyler Johnston (39) reaches first base, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Logan LaFemina is forced out at home, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Hunter Hansen puts the bat on the ball for the Panthers, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Pine View catcher Brent Nelson takes the sign from the bench, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Pine View second baseman Logan LaFemina flips a ball to first base, the runner was safe on the play, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Pine View first baseman Brooks Barney digs a ball in the dirt for an out, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Blake Ence (6) makes contact for the Panthers, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Tyler Johnston (39) beats out a throw to first base, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Harrison Goebel gets congratulations after a run scoring hit early in the game, American Fork vs. Pine View, Baseball, St. George, Utah, Mar. 13, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @oldschoolag
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.