High school softball: One big inning paves way for Pioneers' win

SARATOGA SPRINGS — When one high school is split into two, those first few times the teams meet each other are incredibly tense affairs.

The first meeting between the Lehi and Westlake softball teams was no exception to the rule, as the Pioneers went out to Saratoga Springs and took down upstart Westlake 6-0 on Wednesday.

"It was a highly-emotional intense game because of the split-schools thing. I think all the pressure was directed at us, but these kids all play summer ball together, and both teams were wound up so tight, I think it comes down to who scores first," said Lehi coach Leslie Warr after the tough contest.

While the girls' intensity level was high, the team members' parents were also a little tense on the sidelines, but they didn't let that stop them from keeping things light and good-natured. Most of them knew each other and were shouting good-natured barbs throughout the contest, making it even more entertaining to watch.

Westlake has had the Lehi game on its radar screen since before the season even started, and the Pioneers have had the Thunder in the backs of their minds as well. But the pressure got to the Thunder in the fourth inning, as just one error created a domino effect that wasn't easy to stop.

The Pioneers had scored in the top of the third to break the scoreless tie on a single by Aly White and a sacrifice bunt by Ariel Zimmerman, giving Lehi a 1-0 lead.

The Thunder were unable to score in the bottom of the third despite having a pair of singles in the inning.

Then came the fateful top of the fourth frame.

Whitney Cook smacked the ball to the infield, where an error on the throw to first became contagious and opened the gates for multiple errors and mental mistakes that helped the Pioneers score five more runs and take an overwhelming 6-0 lead.

The errors came in conjunction with a bunt single by Carly White and a walk to Annie Nelson in an inning that just fell apart for the Westlake defense. A great catch in right field on a line drive brought the Thunder back to its senses, but the damage had already been done.

The Pioneers stranded 11 base runners, which Warr was none too happy about, in addition to her team's subpar hitting performance. Though she noted that Westlake pitcher Alanna Beck had pitched a great game, she also noted that her team hasn't played in two weeks, and she's afraid they're a little sloppy due to the layoff. They'll have the chance to make up for the lack of play with seven games scheduled over the next two weeks.

And with SLCC-signee Zimmerman's pitching, the Lehi offense generally doesn't have to be too productive. Once again, Zimmerman had an incredible performance from the circle with an impressive 17 strikeouts in the game.

e-mail: jolsen@desnews.com