5A high school softball: Viewmont advances in tight win over Dons

TAYLORSVILLE — Viewmont and Spanish Fork might just as well have stopped playing after the first inning of their game in the winners' bracket of the 5A state softball championships at Valley Complex on Tuesday.

The Viewmont bats came out hot off the top as they recorded four singles and two runs in the top of the first and only allowed the Dons to return with one run in the bottom of the first, despite making three errors. But it was the Viewmont Vikings that came out with the important 2-1 victory and landed themselves in the winners' bracket against Bingham tonight at 7:15 at Valley Complex.

"We just came out hitting. The girls knew they had to bring their bats this game," said Viewmont coach Tiffany Randall.

They came out hitting balls all over the field as Cina Cummings led the game off with a single, followed by an error on the Spanish fork short stop to put runners on first and second with no outs. Megan Peay added another single, and pitcher Shelbi Tyteca helped herself with a nice RBI single that also loaded the bases with no outs.

Kalli Randall singled to left center to finish off the scoring with the second and game-winning RBI. The Dons got themselves out of trouble with three straight outs and not allowing another score, but the damage was already done.

The Vikings nearly gave all the hard work back in the bottom of the first as they gave up three errors in the midst of an impressive double play that probably saved the game for the Vikings. The Dons were only able to score a single run as Viewmont shortstop Jen Richins caught a line drive and threw to first base to take out two. But the third error came on a throw back to first to try to catch the runner off base for a triple play.

The Spanish Fork run scored, then the Dons added a pair of singles by Lindsey Healey and Kylie Bufton before recording their third out of the inning after coming up with only one run.

"You make it to the complex and it's just such a huge game, that emotions ran high and we made errors we don't normally make in that first inning," said Randall, who was happy her team settled down after the initial attack of jitters.

All indications were pointing to a high scoring contest, but the game then became a battle of solid defenses and great pitching as Viewmont pitcher Tyteca only allowed four hits, while Spanish Fork pitcher Cami Robinson only allowed five.