KEARNS — Two outs typically isn't favorable for the offense. One pitch, one swing, one throw and the inning is over. For Timpanogos on the other hand, two outs is the chance to turn caps inside out for rally time.
"I don't know we can't hit without two outs," Timberwolves' Kincade Pay said. "Our whole team has the mentality of trying to be clutch."
Timpanogos scored 12 of its 13 runs with two outs in an inning to barrel past Springville in the 4A boys' one-loss bracket, 13-10, at Kearns High on Monday afternoon.
"When we come to play — we're the best team in the state offensively. We can swing with anybody," Pay said. "At times we get lazy and when we do we'll make it interesting. But we have the pitching and defense that can back it up."
Springville (13-15) shot out of the gates quickly, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning behind an RBI single from Steve Bate and a fielding error by Timpanogos.
The lead shortly vanished. Trailing 2-1 in the third inning, with two outs, Pay cracked a 2-run RBI single to center. The ensuing at-bat, Tanner Perkins ripped a 2-run homer for the 5-2 advantage.
"We did jump off to a fast start and we were hittin' well," stated Pay.
The Timberwolves (16-12) didn't wait long for another rally. After two quick outs in the fourth, McKay Swope got things started with an RBI single with runners at the corners.
Following Tyler Hamilton's walk, Pay stepped to the plate with the bases juiced. On the first pitch, Pay unloaded a grand slam past the ivy-covered outfield wall.
"I was just looking for fastballs — I got the pitch that I wanted in the right spot," said Pay.
Two batters later, after Perkins was beaned, Johnny Peterson launched another 2-run bomb, pushing the lead to 12-3.
The Devils battled back valiantly as Timpanogos' pitcher Hamilton began to tire in the sixth inning. Hamilton, who had fanned five batters in five impressive innings of work, was left on the mound without relief warming up in the bullpen until it was too late.
"Ty was great," Pay said. "He's thrown so many pitches in this tournament for us already and has just been a workhorse."
It took a 2-run RBI single from Bate to finally make the change. However, without the allotted warmup time, Springville took advantage of the fresh arm — scoring two more runs in the inning to cut the lead to 12-8.
"I guess we started coasting 'cause we thought we had it in the bag," explained Pay. "In the state tournament you can never think that and they battled and came back to play a great game."
The T-Wolves added another run in the seventh inning, before junior Ryan Morin fought out of a jam to record the final two outs and earn the save.
"I think we've got a lot of momentum right now, we're feeling good," Pay said. "We have a lot of good pitching and our bats are starting to heat up. Right now we're stroking the ball."
Email: tphibbs@desnews.com