Mike Littlewood has the midas touch.
Littlewood turned around the Alta baseball program in four years, finishing runner-up in last year's championship game.This year, Littlewood took over a downtrodden Dixie College program that had barely posted double figures in victories last year.
Saturday afternoon at Bruce Hurst Field, Littlewood worked his midas touch once again with the Rebels capturing the Region 18 tournament championship, dumping the College of Southern Idaho, 9-3.
Going into the tournament, Dixie (42-13) was 0-3 against Southern Idaho. But Friday night, the Rebs overcame an 8-2 deficit to win, 10-8.
"We beat them when it counted most - in this tournament," said the smiling Littlewood. "I can't say enough about what these young men have accomplished this year. We had a few ups and downs, but the guys battled all year. This championship just shows what hard work can accomplish."
Hard work . . . and the big bats of Jeff Hedman, the former Taylorsville star, and Orem's Jason Gonzales.
Hedman hit a grand slam home run in the Rebels' big comeback Friday night. Gonzales had two home runs and a double. Saturday, Hedman had two home runs and went 3-for-3 for four RBI. He was 7-for-11 in the series with 10 RBI. He was named the Region 18 tournament MVP. Hedman is leaning toward playing at Utah next year.
After going 3-for-3, Hedman was hit in the head by a pitch, and his next time up, he took a pitch in the side.
Gonzales followed up Friday's effort with a two-run home run against the Eagles.
Talented lefthander Scott Harrison, a Brighton product, hurled a complete game Saturday, limiting the Eagles to seven hits, striking out seven, while walking only three.
The Rebels won the right to play in the Region 18 Western Regionals in Arizona next weekend. If they win there, they will go to the National Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo.