Leaving three runners on base to open a game usually doesn't bode well for any team. However, Tooele was able to recover with clutch hits in the following inning to earn a Region 7 opening 9-1 victory over visiting Timpview.

Matt Gochis and Zac Clausing teamed up with three hits a piece and drove in five of the nine Tooele runs to pace the Buffaloes. Hard-throwing Clausing also hit his spots pitching, giving up only one run in the final inning on three hits to earn the win.

Timpview pitcher Dominique Moe struggled with his control to begin the game walking the first two Buffalo batters. After leadoff man Matt Medina stole two consecutive bases to reach third, Gochis was able to smash a grounder past the short stop Dustin Bronk to give Tooele an early 1-0 edge.

With bases loaded and no outs Tooele had the makings of a huge opening inning, but Timpview's Moe was able to record three consecutive outs to escape the inning without further damage.

Tooele did make amends for missed opportunities in the first with clutch hits with runners in scoring position in the second. Derick Anderson lined a single to right scoring Cody Lopez from third for a 2-0 lead. Then the next at bat with runners in scoring position was Clausing who hit a towering drive to the center field fence for a triple to knock in two more runs.

Pitching like it was a tie game, Clausing didn't have any base runners until the third inning, which he quickly escaped to hold on to the four run lead. "(Zac) Clausing really put the team on his back with his pitching and hitting with us missing out on big scoring opportunities," said Tooele coach Danny Medina. "He seemed to be hitting his spots with every pitch he threw."

Gochis and Clausing again proved to be tough outs in the fourth as they hit back-to-back RBI grounders past Timpview third baseman Kirk Perry to bump the lead to 6-0.

Even with Clausing maintaining a shutout, Tooele was not satisfied with a six-run lead. Steven Witkowski sprayed his first hit to left scoring Anderson who narrowly slid into home right before the tag. Stewart Christensen was able to hit a fly ball deep enough to score Gochis from third, then Witkowski slid into home after a wild pitch to cap the Tooele scoring at nine runs.

"Derick Anderson and Matt Gochis really hit the ball well at the top of the lineup without getting an out throughout the game," said Medina.

Clausing did have his shutout ruined with a hard-hit triple by Ben Daniel who was later sacrificed home for Timpview's first and only run of the game.

Tooele 7-3 (1-0) continues region play Tuesday at Payson 4 p.m.