Lone Peak rallies to down Timp

OREM — The "deadly duo" of Lone Peak sophomores Tami Peterson and Alicia Trujillo proved their prowess in the seventh-inning 3-1 comeback victory over Timpanogos as the tough Region 7 race heats up in Utah County. Lone Peak improved to 2-1 in league and Timpanogos dropped to 1-3.

The combo of pitcher and catcher that came together this year as Peterson made her move from her home in Cincinnati is proving tough on opposing hitters. "They're playing very well, stepping up," said Lone Peak coach Jena Lowry. "She (Peterson) can throw it 60 miles per hour; she has great control and a great change up nobody can hit."

Peterson showed the Timpanogos lineup just how difficult it is to hit her change up as batter after batter went down swinging. The sophomore pitcher tossed 11 strikeouts against the normally formidable T-Wolves' bats and allowed only three hits in the outing, two of them coming on bunts by opposing pitcher Ali Bramwell.

Timpanogos drew first blood as they used a walk and an error to notch their only run in the bottom of the third when Jen Bilboa crossed the plate.

Bilboa was solid from the field as well as twice in the sixth inning she snagged fly balls on the dead run to save Lone Peak runs.

The T-Wolves looked to extend the lead in the fifth, but after Dara Grob knocked down a single to short right, Bilboa was tagged out at home by a solid effort from Trujillo.

Then Lone Peak decided it was time to step up. Trujillo smacked a double to deep left and moved to third on a Timpanogos dropped ball, their only error of the contest. Peterson stepped up to the plate and hit a solid single to short center to score her catcher and even the game at one apiece.

"We had a big day today with our bats," said Lowry. "Our sticks showed up.

They hit the ball today like they needed to. Tami stepped up and hit the ball in a tough situation."

The top of the seventh proved the difference as the Knights maneuvered a walk and three singles into two runs and the win. Malese Moeller took the base on balls before Bramwell fanned the next two hitters, giving her nine strikeouts for the contest. But Trujillo's second hit, followed by a line drive single by Jena Sears loaded the bases with two outs. Hilary Welch finally found a way to drop her ball into a hole, punching a single to center to record two RBIs, including the game winner.

"Welch is a phenomenal athlete," said Lowry. "There aren't too many kids like her. She's mentally tough and hits the ball hard."