4A softball: Spanish Fork rides huge inning to lopsided win over Timpanogos

Spanish Fork • The Spanish Fork softball team hit early and often on its way to an 11-1 victory over Timpanogos in 41/2 innings Thursday evening in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Senior ace Cambrie Hazel tallied her 21st win in the circle this season. She struck out 10 against three walks and surrendered just one hit.

The Spanish Fork batters lit up two Timpanogos pitchers to add plenty of support.

The Dons actually trailed by a run after half an inning. But junior right fielder Jordyn Bate doubled to right and scored when sophomore Brylee Rudd homered to center field to give the Dons a 2-1 lead, which proved to be all they needed.

Rudd also doubled to left field to open the fourth inning and later scored the run that invoked the run rule.

She finished with three runs and three RBIs in the win.

"Especially for me as a catcher, I want to help my pitcher out," she said. "I also try to help the other girls get up, especially in the dugout. That energy helps all of us a lot."

Rudd said she didn't change her approach.

"I just wanted to hit well and get runs for my pitcher," she said.

Sophomore second baseman Aislyn Sharp had both a leadoff single and a three-run homer in the third inning alone, and she scored twice in the inning.

"I've been struggling with my hitting a little lately, so today I wanted to keep everything the way it should be — keep my head up, keep my eye on the ball and stay relaxed," she said. "It made me feel like a better player to get that home run. At this time of year, it's really important to get runs early and stay on top of [the opponent]. Any time we can save innings gives us more time to heal up and conserve energy." —

Spanish Fork 11, Timpanogos 1

• Spanish Fork strikes for eight runs in the third inning to pull away.

• Senior Marissa Dale's home run accounts for Timpanogos' lone run.

• Spanish Fork moves on to face region foe Maple Mountain, a team it swept during the regular season.

Class 4A state tournament

Thursday's second-round results Spanish Fork 11, Timpanogos 1

Maple Mountain 16, Skyridge 1

Springville 10, Cyprus 0

Uintah 10, Corner Canyon 1

Tuesday's quarterfinals

at Valley Softball Complex

3:30 p.m. • Spanish Fork vs. Maple Mountain

5:45 p.m. • Springville vs. Uintah

Elimination brackets

11 a.m. • Corner Canyon vs.

Kearns

11 a.m. • Cyprus vs. Box Elder

1:15 p.m. • Skyridge vs. Bountiful

1:15 p.m. • Timpanogos vs. (Olympus vs. Bonneville winner)