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Spanish Fork • Scripted on the back of the Timpanogos' warmup jerseys empathized the fourth-ranked Timberwolves' performance on Tuesday: "Simple game. Throw strikes. Hit strikes. Play catch."
On an overcast, chilly afternoon which saw snow flurries in the seventh inning, Timpanogos shutout No. 2 Maple Mountain on the road, 5-0, by adhering to the aforementioned motto.
"I'm freezing," joked Timpanogos coach Kim Nelson after the game. "Temperatures seemed to get a little colder as we went, but for a first game — there's a lot of good things we did. Maybe I'll feel warmer thinking about that later."
Sophomore lefty Derik Eaquinto kept the Golden Eagles off-balance, striking out down eight batters in five innings, surrendering two hits and one walk.
"I had a little trouble spotting my fastball, but I was able to use the curveball and change-up to get hitters out," Eaquinto said.
Tyler Cornish relieved Eaquinto in the sixth, promptly striking out three consecutive batters to complement his superb play at the plate. Cornish hit a two-run double that hugged the right-field baseline before a passed ball gave the Timberwolves a 3-0 advantage in the third.
After Kaden Walker's two-out RBI triple extended the cushion to 4-0 in the following inning, Cornish added an insurance run in the seventh with another RBI double.
Cal Beardsley handed the seventh frame, but not without difficulty. Maple Mountain loaded the bases with two outs to provide a miniature scare.
"It was excellent," Nelson said of the pitching. "All three of them are going to be guys we're going to count on a lot. They threw strikes; I know we walked a couple, but we were ahead of most people. That's what's going to be the thing that carries us more than anything else, is pitching."
The Eagles (3-2) entered Tuesday with several games already under their belt in the KJ Harrison Classic in St. George, but for Timpanogos (1-0) it was the first live action of the year. The disadvantage of playing the second-ranked team on the road, with a sophomore pitcher, in the opening game of the year in inclement weather was absent, which has elevated expectations for the remainder of the season.
"It's exciting," Eaquinto said. "I'm excited for this year, and it shows a lot of promise."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Storylines
• Fourth-ranked Timpanogos shuts out No. 2 Maple Mountain on the road.
• Three pitchers combine for 11 strikeouts for the Timberwolves, with sophomore Derik Eaquinto earning the win.
• Tyler Cornish finished with three RBIs and two doubles.