Viewmont bounces back to beat Riverton

BOUNTIFUL — The Silverwolves may have scored first, but it was the Vikings who crossed the plate most in the second preseason battle between these two 5A powerhouses.

"We've never been beaten on our home field since we built it," said catcher Shasta Tyteca after third-ranked Viewmont defeated second-ranked Riverton 3-1 Wednesday afternoon. "That's our goal, never to lose on our home field."

That meant beating a team the Vikings lost to over the weekend and bouncing back from a loss to unranked Jordan.

"I think that was a gut-check for us," said pitcher Shelbi Tyteca of a loss on Tuesday. "We made a lot of errors. Losing made us a lot more focused tonight ... It made us realize you've got to play your hardest all the time."

The Vikings did just that in holding an offensively loaded Silverwolves squad to just one run.

"I'm very proud of how our team backed me up a lot," said Shelbi Tyteca.

Viewmont coach Tiffani Randall wasn't too worried about either loss as it's early in the season.

"I like (the preseason tournaments) because you can try a lot of new things," Randall said. "You can see who wants each position and who is going to step up. I like it not just for the games, but because it's a bonding experience for the team to spend that time together."

The Vikings didn't look like a team searching for chemistry or identity as they took advantage of their five hits, three walks and five Riverton errors in edging the Silverwolves. Viewmont loaded the bases in the first inning, but only managed to score one run on a rip to left field by first baseman Tiffani Randall. The Vikings scored their second run in the third inning when Randall allowed Shasta Tyteca to score on a hit to centerfield.

The Vikings final run came from Shasta Tyteca, who got on base by walking, and then scored on a Riverton error.

It was the mistakes and runners left on base that bothered Riverton head coach Emily Cederholm.

"You can't leave runners on base, in scoring position, and make that many errors and win a ball game," she said. "That definitely wasn't even close to our best game."

Part of the problem may have been Riverton's marathon schedule — eight games in seven days — although Cederholm said it was no excuse.

"We came out flat and never recovered," she said.

As for Viewmont's youth, well, Shasta says they won't let that get to them as they defend that home-field advantage.

"I know the younger players look up to the seniors, but we only have five upper classmen," she said. "I really think our young players can handle pressure. We'll be a young team that wins."

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