I've been preparing for this game ever since we lost last year's game. – Paxton Shultz
OREM — Following Orem baseball's 2-1 win over Timpanogos on Wednesday, its coach, Carl Hermansen, didn't give the usual cliches of it just being "another game."
The win was a very big one for the Tigers' program, which like Timpanogos, entered Wednesday's game undefeated in Region 7 play. What's more is the fact that the Timberwolves have ruled the region for some time while Orem has only recently proven to be on the rise.
"We've had this series circled for a long time," Hermansen said. "Everybody says you're not supposed to do that, but we came in knowing that it would come down between our two teams, so getting that first one is big."
Echoing his coach's sentiments was senior Paxton Schultz, who pitched a complete game to help secure the win.
"I've been preparing for this game ever since we lost last year's game," Schultz said. "It's been motivating me. I've been working hard all season preparing for this week."
Whatever preparations Schultz made paid off in a big way during the first game of Wednesday's double-header. The senior went all seven innings from the mound, striking out seven while allowing just four hits and one run.
He was able to pitch his way out of most sticky situations before the Timberwolves finally came through in the bottom of the sixth. With Orem leading 1-0, Timpanogos' DJ Martinez doubled home a run to tie things at 1-1 entering the final inning.
"It's frustrating, in the moment, but you just have to let it go off and that's one of the best things I've learned to be a successful pitcher," Schultz said. "Whatever happens in the past, let go and move on and the game will play itself out."
Sure enough, Orem came through in the top of the seventh with Parker Wollastan leading off with a double with Jake Stayner bringing him home one batter later with a single through the middle of a drawn-in infield.
"I knew Parker was going to get a big hit there because he has a demeanor about him — I just know when he's dialed in," Hermansen said. "It was kind of perfect timing with him coming up in that spot."
Matching Schultz's effort from the mound, for the most part, was Timpanogos ace pitcher Tyler Cornish, who pitched six and a third innings while giving up just two runs and striking out six.
"He's as good as it gets," Hermansen said of Cornish. "Everybody has been talking about this game — two of the best pitchers in 4A, if not the two best pitchers. … (Cornish) is a very good pitcher. He just hits his spot and he's, you know, a pitcher. He just does everything well."
Orem's first run came in the top of the sixth inning courtesy of a Keven Balser single.
Orem topped off its big 2-1 with a 3-1 in the second half of Wednesday's double-header.
With the two wins, Orem takes command of Region 7 with a 14-0 region record. Timpanogos, meanwhile, drops to 9-2 in Region 7 play. The two teams will finish up the three-game set on Thursday.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney