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Show ports presented by Covering what matters most BARBER WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008 • B l Perfect Chtvro HE'S OUT: First baseman Selby Brummett tags a Caveman baserunner for the out. Narnon Bills / Spanish Fork News Don hitters pummel Cavemen, go to 4-0 in Region John Jackson STAFF WRITER The state's top-ranked Spanish Fork Dons added two more important region wins to their resume with a sweep of the two-game series over the previously third-ranked American Fork Caveman. The Dons pitching stayed consistent, but the story this week is the hot hitting. Gentry Mitchell's 5-7 performance, clutch hits from Damon Ward and Shaun Peterson, and Tyler Hanks hitting at an unbelievable pace has put the Dons in the drivers seat. The Dons outscored American Fork 20-6 during the series. The Dons now have a one game lead over Timpanogos (3-1 region), and Lone Peak (3-1 region), with American Fork at 2-2 and Pleasant Grove and Lehi winless in region. Spanish Fork 7 American Fork 4 (at SF) The Cavemen brought their ace to SF in an attempt to steal one on the Dons' field. The Dons countered with one of their aces, Adam Duke. It looked like it might be a pitchers' duel at first as each pitcher was pretty stingy in allowing hits. The Dons did plate one run in the bottom of the first when leadoff man Damon Ward got things started with a single up the middle. A Kirt Daley sac bunt and an RBI single from Gentry Mitchell put the Dons up 1-0. The two pitchers then went on cruise control. The Dons threatened in the third when Michael Hayes led the inning off with a hard hit triple to right field, but he was left stranded after two fly outs and another runner getting picked off at first. The Cavemen got their four runs in the fifth when the leadoff man hit a high fly ball between left and center. The ball may have been caught, but a miscommunication allowed it to fall for a lead-off double. A walk and three singles put the Cavemen up 4-1. The Don faithful began to get nervous until the sixth inning rolled around. Brock Duke led off with a walk, followed by Gentry Mitchell getting hit by a pitch. Michael Hayes scored Duke with an RBI single. Pinch-hitter Shaun Peterson loaded the bases with a great at bat. The patient Peterson waited for his pitch and slapped it to right for a single. With the bases loaded, Damon Ward drilled a shot to left field that fell past the diving glove of the fielder. Ward found himself standing second with three RBI's under his belt. Kirt Daley followed Ward with another single, which forced the Cavemen to intentionally walk the hot-hitting T^ler Hanks. Brock Duke added two more insurance runs with a two-RBI single making the score 7-4. This would be all the runs Adam Duke would need for his complete game victory. Duke struck out three and walked only one. Duke remains unbeaten with a region leading .000 ERA. Spanish Fork 13 American Fork 2 (at AF) The Cavemen had to know they were in trouble when Brock Duke started the game off by striking out the first four guys he faced. Then having the Dons continue their hot hitting by scoring three in the first inning had to hurt. A double from Kirt Daley, followed by consecutive singles from Tyler Hanks and Brock Duke and an RBI double from Gentry Mitchell put the Dons up 3-0 in the first. That would be all the run support Brock Duke would need, but the Dons were not done. Duke provided himself an insurance run in the third when he led the inning off with a triple. Pinch-runner Trevor Randolph scored on an RBI single from Gentry Mitchell. A big fifth inning started with leadoff singles from Gentry Mitchell, Michael Hayes and Taggart Lunceford. Shaun Peterson got on by an error, which was followed by an RBI single from Damon Ward. Kirt Daley drew a walk and Tyler Hanks got an RBI with a hardhit ball that the Cavemen could not handle. The final blow came on a two-RBI single from Gentry Mitchell. Mitchell was 2-2 with two RBIs in the inning. The Dons added three more in the sixth when Taggart Lunceford hit a single, Shaun Peterson got on by an error, and Damon Ward drew a walk. Tyler Hanks cleared the bases with a two-out triple that gave the Dons enough runs to end the game early because of the mercy rule. Duke cruised through the Caveman lineup for a complete game victory. Duke struck out eight while allowing only two walks and four hits. This is another in a string of very impressive outings for the junior flamethrower who seems to be getting stronger as the year goes on. Spanish Fork X-treme WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Congratulations to the Spanish Fork X-Treme baseball team, they took fist place in the Pizza Factory Tournament this weekend. They played the Utah Boulders for the championship and beat them 11-9. It was a close game, but they played hard to pull out the victory. Way to go X-Treme! For winning they got a cool trophy with an old catchers mitt on it, medals, a t-shirt and a ten dollar gift card to the Pizza Factory. What a great way to spend a Saturday. Pictured here, the team from bottom left is Taye Newman, Brady Brook, Mark Rawle, Jaxon Higgingson, Colton Condie, Jesse Memmott and Mason McCellan; top left Coach Newman, Briggs Newman, Avery Davis, Colby Hazel, Chase Holdaway, Brendan Bradford and Coach Bradford. Courtesy photo |