Tooele’s Mattie Snow is such a dominating pitcher that when a team can pound out seven hits and score five runs it is a bit perplexing to the coaches. And that’s what the Payson Lions did on Thursday against the Buffs at Deseret Peak Complex.

“The game was a little strange, Payson hit the ball harder against us than any team this year,” said Tooele coach Steve Snow.

The good thing for Tooele was that they doubled up the Lions in hit production and nearly tripled their opponents’ run production to win the game 13-5. Tooele tallied 13 hits including five extra-base hits.

Payson opened the game with two runs in the first inning and Tooele came back with four runs in its half of the inning. The Lions cut Tooele’s lead to 4-3 after their half of the second inning, but Tooele scored half a dozen runs in the second to blow the game open at 10-3 after two complete innings.

Tooele shortstop Whitney Holt put on a hitting clinic in the game going three-for-four with two home runs and six RBIs.

Freshman Abby McIntyre added a homer while Marissa Mendenhall smacked a triple and Snow added a double.

Tooele improved to 2-0 in the region with the victory and hosts Timpview today at 4 p.m. The Buffs travel to Mountain View for a game on Thursday.

Mark Watson: mwatson@tooeletranscript.com