Bramwell fans 15 in Timpanogos win

HIGHLAND — If there's any high school softball team that can win a game right now without a hit it's the Timpanogos Timberwolves.

The reason? The T-Wolves know that putting pressure on the opponent in scoreless games often results in an unearned run, and as long as ace Allie Bramwell is on the mound, one run is all they need.

Bramwell completed a week Thursday that will go down statistically in Timpanogos' softball history book, but more importantly puts the T-Wolves in the Region 4 driver's seat. In shutting out the Lone Peak Knights 1-0 on the road, Bramwell fanned 15 hitters, gave up only two hits and did not allow a runner to reach second base. For the week, Bramwell tossed three shutouts against the league's top teams — Spanish Fork, Pleasant Grove and Lone Peak. For the three games, she struck out a total of 36 batters and surrendered only five hits.

"That's a workout," Timpanogos coach Frank Bramall said. "You won't see someone do that in baseball. I think she's the best pitcher in the state." Bramwell said the reason she's able to throw that many innings in one week is her legs get a little tired and her fingertips get a little sore, but her arm never seems to hurt.

"It's a little tiring, but it's fun," Bramwell said. "I had to hit my spots a little better today because I didn't have the same zip that I had earlier in the week."

It was Bramwell's fifth consecutive shut-out, and all have been league games — which puts the T-Wolves atop the league at 5-0 with the season half done.

Thursday's win for Timpanogos didn't come easy, however, and for the first five innings it seemed like the game could last late into the night because Lone Peak hurler Tami Peterson was having a fairly decent day on the hill herself. In losing the close contest, the Knights' senior tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10.

The T-Wolves were able to escape with the win without a hit by some aggressive base running in the sixth inning, and an untimely errant throw by Lone Peak. Kalee Gonzalez drew a one-out walk and then stole second base. Megan Bishop then dropped a bunt right in front of home plate, and Knights' catcher Katie Schoff's throw to first base sailed down the right-field line and out of play — allowing Gonzalez to score the game's only run.

"That was a good pitching battle," Bramall said. "We were trying everything to get a run across and eventually got the one we needed."

Jill Alger touched Bramwell for a slap single to right field in the second, and the only other hit Lone Peak produced was Peterson's infield single with two-outs in the seventh. But Bramwell ended Lone Peak's late hope and the game by striking out the next hitter.

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E-mail: jimr@desnews.com