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Murray • Cottonwood advertises the highest scoring per-game average in Class 5A behind six future next-level prospects. It can score in bunches, but also zip through opposing lineups quicker than a two-seam fastball.

The undefeated Colts have everything. Except respect.

"We've been doubted. We're trying to prove a lot of people wrong," said Cottonwood left-hander Tevita Gerber, who is committed to UNLV. "We're trying to shock the state. Nobody has been up on us. Nobody knows what we're about, so we're trying to show people."

Respect is a funny thing. It's earned. And after dispatching Spanish Fork, a program with high expectations of its own, 12-5, on Friday afternoon after another offensive onslaught, Cottonwood (6-0) has some.

"They're pretty good. We hope we can keep doing it," said Cottonwood skipper Jason Crawford. "They do a good job not panicking. They fight. To this point in the season, they've done a really good job."

Friday's first inning was exactly that. A fight. Spanish Fork (3-7) compiled five hits and jumped out 3-0 behind run-scoring efforts from Ryan Golish, McKennon Jarvis and Zach Harrison at the plate. It was an ideal start for the Dons, who have underwhelmed preseason projections with a sluggish start to the 2015 campaign.

Gerber, a four-year starter, countered by retiring seven consecutive batters.

"Tevita is great. We're riding him crazy, and Spanish hit him harder than anybody has this year," Crawford said.

Gerber helped his own cause, too. He ignited a three-run second inning with an RBI single before doubling twice, which plated two more runs.

"It's been happening for four years. I just tried to lead by example and forget everything that happened," said Gerber, who fanned six batters in five innings of work. "… They were coming inside on me; I've been struggling on the inside pitch, and that's all I was looking for."

Cottonwood doubled up the Dons, 10-5, on a homer from Chris Rowan before Gaven Guthrie cranked a two-run triple in the sixth inning.

The Colts resume action on Wednesday for a crucial three-game series against Taylorsville. Considering the remaining strength of the downtrodden Region 2, if they migrate the series unscathed, talks of an undefeated regular season will rise.

Now that is R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Cottonwood 12, Spanish Fork 5

R Cottonwood continues its offensive onslaught as the highest scoring team in Class 5A.

• Tevita Gerber finishes 3 for 4 with three RBIs and two doubles at the plate and fans six batters in five innings of work on the mound.