Orem edges Timpanogos 1-0 in defensive duel

OREM — A defensive clash on a cold, wet day left the Orem Tigers with the 1-0 victory over Timpanogos as neither team could get it going from the plate.

"It was a pitching duel," said Orem coach Paul Clark. "We hit a few good ones at them, but not enough, and we struck out too much."

Downey gave up only two hits in the shutout, and neither pitcher allowed anything more than a single.

"When we play good defense behind Devrie we're going to be tough and beat some teams," Clark said. "Everyone played well all over the field tonight."

Marsha Heimuli walked in the second inning for the Tigers, and Kristine McKonkie laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to second and into scoring position for the strong bat of Jamie Layton. She stepped up to the plate and hammered a single to center field, just deep enough to score Heimuli and put the game-winning run across the plate.

"I was pleased with Jamie's play today," Clark said. "I thought she hit it hard all night tonight. She hit in the one run, and that was all we needed."

Timpanogos pitcher Ali Bramwell recorded a strikeout, and first baseman Jennifer Harris caught a pop fly to end the inning. Neither team was able to get a runner past second base after that.

The T-Wolves did threaten to score in the first inning when Dara Grob reached base, stole second and ran to third on a wild pitch, but a great play by Stacie Peay and Kristine McKonkie ended the inning without a score.

The No. 4 Tigers improved their Region 6 record to 2-0, and the T-Wolves dropped their second straight and find themselves 0-2 after games against the two region favorites.

Orem is taking a break from league play next week to take a trip to a Las Vegas tournament.

"Las Vegas should make us tougher because we'll see good competition, and we'll get a little experience in a big tourney," Clark said. "It'll give us some great opposition to prepare us for the state tournament."

Downey had six strikeouts in the game, and Bramwell countered with five of her own in the losing effort.

In other prep softball games Thursday:

REGION 2

ALTA 4, WEST JORDAN 0: Corie Jensen fired a complete-game, one-hit shutout and struck out 10 to lead Alta. She lost the no-hitter in the fifth inning. She walked just two.