OREM — Coaches are often looking to provide extra motivation to their players, with Corner Canyon softball coach Garrett Hone finding a unique way to do as much prior to the Chargers' game against Timpanogos on Tuesday.
As Hone's team rode the bus down to Orem to take on the Timberwolves, he decided to trick his players — telling them they needed one more win to clinch the Region 7 championship. Unknown to the players was that Corner Canyon had already clinched the outright title with a win on Monday over Timpview.
Hone's trick apparently worked, in the form of a 5-0 win that improved Corner Canyon's region record to a perfect 13-0.
"I was already motivated for this game, but yeah, coach saying we needed this one to take region really fired me up," said Corner Canyon sophomore Abigail Opheikens. "It really made me and everyone else be all that motivated. So yeah, it worked."
As for Opheikens, she pitched from the circle well — going the distance for the shutout win. Her effort wasn't defined by mowing down batters, but by pitching to contact and depending on the defense behind her to get outs.
Turns out the best fielding defense for the Chargers on Tuesday was probably Opheikens herself.
The sophomore had pitched herself into some trouble in the bottom of the fifth with runners on second and third and Corner Canyon clinging to a 2-0 lead. It was then when Timpanogos tried to lay down a bunt, but popped it up right in front of the circle. Opheikens dove for the ball, catching it and then doubling off a runner for the second and third outs.
"It really got me by surprise," Opheikens said. "But, fortunately, I was able to make the play and throw to the right base to get us out of that inning."
Opheikens' teammates then helped her out in the top of the seventh — sending three runners across the plate for a much more comfortable 5-0 lead heading to the bottom half of the final inning. Whitney Opheikens, Alexis Parker and Emmie McCormick all strung together RBI hits, which is the sort of thing the Chargers have done all year, according to Hone.
"We have a solid team, one through nine," Hone said. "Girls seem to always pick up one another, and we just have a solid team with everyone contributing. They've been really fun to coach, and they've earned this region championship."
Getting off to a quick start also helps, and Katie Dale helped provide a quick start during Tuesday's win with a two-RBI single in the top of the first inning.
Hone finally told his girls of his ruse after the win, and the players reacted with a well-earned chuckle.
"The goal is to go undefeated in region and while the girls were already motivated. I just thought I'd add to that, and fortunately they acted like you'd want," Hone said. "Like I said, they've earned this and they're awesome. It's taken four years to get here, where we feel like we can really compete with the top teams in the state and we're excited for the rest of the season."
Corner Canyon ends its regular season on Thursday with a game against Skyridge before heading to postseason play. Timpanogos ends its season with a game against Alta and will likely enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed from Region 7, despite Tuesday's loss.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney