The road to the 4A baseball title runs through Utah County. The best baseball has consistently been played in "Happy Valley." Since the two most dominant teams in the classification are Timpanogos and Springville, it will take some serious work for a team from Salt Lake County or farther north to wrestle away a championship.
Timpanogos goes into the tournament as co-favorites with Springville. "I think we have good enough pitching and good enough players that we can win it," said Timberwolves coach Kim Nelson.
The team is coming off a Region 7 title that was almost forfeited away. Because of overscheduling of varsity games, Timpanogos almost had to forfeit its last three games. The Region 7 committee, however, decided that was not a fair solution to all the parties involved and instead decided to impose fines and probation. It allowed the Timberwolves to keep their hard-earned title.
The T-Wolves got that title by effort. "The one thing I have been the most pleased with in this team is the fact that we have competed and played hard in every game," said Nelson. That full-out desire to win is accompanied by some great talent.
Jace Bramwell and Ryder Olson have given the team senior leadership and on-field contributions, but maybe the biggest factor in the team's resurgence is the return of Mac Nelson. He was the team's MVP in his sophomore season but missed all of last year with an injury. He has come back and led the team not only on the mound but in the batter's box as well.
Springville is a dangerous team because of its pitching. Mark Pawelek has led the Red Devils, and No. 2 man Brian Bulow would be many teams' ace. Pawelek and Bulow have not lost a game on the mound. However, not to be too deceptive, the team has lost games that they started.
Pawelek may be the beat pitcher in the state. "All his pitches move, and he throws four great pitches — a fastball, split-finger, curve and changeup. If one pitch isn't really on that day, he can just switch to the others. When he's throwing strikes, he is almost un-hittable," said Willy Child of his team ace. Pawelek is not only a great pitcher, but he is one of the team's best hitters as well.
Murray High sneaked up on some people this season. The Spartans split the Region 5 title with Cyprus but are going into the tournament as the region's No. 1 seed. They finished the season 11-3 in region play — a vast improvement from last season's 6-8 mark that nearly brought about the end of coach Bill Siebenberg's long tenure there. Siebenberg was originally let go at the end of last season before the administration reconsidered and brought him back. Led by a strong group of juniors, Murray could win some tournament games.
Cyprus, Bonneville, Sky View, Lone Peak and Spanish Fork all have legitimate chances to challenge for a title.
The tournament begins on Tuesday. "The game of baseball is such that a bounce here or a blooper there can change things," said Nelson.
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com