T-Wolves earn big Region 7 win

OREM — It was a battle to the bitter end for first place in Region 7, and Timpanogos' extra-inning 1-0 win over Lone Peak had no problem living up to its billing.

The Timberwolves were behind the eight ball, finding themselves in a must-win situation with one loss in league play. The Knights came into the contest undefeated. The two teams are now tied in the loss column, and both are hoping to win their remaining games and earn a share of the title. If the teams end up tied for first, there will be a coin toss to see which team goes into the state tournament with the region's No. 1 seed and which falls to No. 2.

Pitching was key as neither team could bring a run across the plate throughout regulation. Each team was able to spray four hits, but though they had their chances, neither squad could drive in runs from third with only one out.

"A pitching battle was what today was," said Lone Peak coach Jena Lowry, who was disappointed after the loss. "It was a good learning experience and a great ball game. Both teams played hard through some tough situations."

The Timberwolves got a big defensive play in the first inning. After allowing runners on second and third with only one out, the T-Wolves turned a nifty double play to get them out of the inning.

"We've got good arms," said Timpanogos coach Frank Brammell. "We were mentally tough, the toughest I've seen all year." But though each team was able to scrape together four hits in the contest off some impressive pitching, it wasn't a hit that finally won the game.

After the great defensive battle, Lone Peak was up in the top of the eighth under international tie-break rules and couldn't get the runner at second around to the bag. Timpanogos then took its turn. A slow infield dribbler from the T-Wolves' first batter shouldn't have been a problem, and the Knights made the throw to first, but the second baseman was unable to handle it, and it flew past the bag. Jennifer Harris took advantage of the mistake, crossing the plate for the winning score.

Lowry admitted it was a tough way for her Lone Peak team to lose, but she plans to work them hard at practice to get them to move forward. "There's nothing like hard work to get their minds off it."

Meanwhile the Timberwolves are happy to even up what has turned out to be a huge rivalry between the top two teams in Region 7.