It really has been huge as far as keeping our kids motivated and hungry. – Desert Hills coach Jerry Beck
You can't blame the Desert Hills High baseball team for feeling like it's got some unfinished business to take care of this year.
After all, the Thunder reached the championship finals of the 3A state tournament last year, only to lose twice to region rival Snow Canyon and see their title dreams shattered.
They have used that frustrating experience as a driving force behind their stellar 2014 season.
"It really has been huge as far as keeping our kids motivated and hungry," Desert Hills coach Jerry Beck said. "We feel like we've got a little unfinished business, and hopefully it'll give us that little extra drive to finish things off right this year.
"We don't dwell on it, but it's definitely there. We're trying to use the positives from that (state finals) experience and realize there are meaningful things we can learn from it.
"Getting there was still beneficial overall to our program — at least, that's what we're hoping for," Beck said. "In sports, you have to pay your dues; it's part of the process. Hopefully, it's our turn now."
It's guaranteed there will be a new 3A state champion crowned this year, as two-time defending champ Snow Canyon did not qualify for this year's tournament.
And when this year's 3A tournament gets underway Saturday, Desert Hills (18-5 overall) will have a couple of aces on the mound in Dylan File and Baden Powell.
File, who has signed to play at Dixie State, is 4-2 with a microscopic 0.31 earned run average and 88 strikeouts in just 45 2/3 innings. Powell has posted a 5-1 record thus far this season, with an ERA of 2.25 and 45 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings. Kayson Bowler (3-0) and Blake Betts (3-2) provide solid pitching depth along with Brayson Hurdsman (2-0).
File is also the Thunder's top hitter, batting a robust .422 with 25 RBIs, 10 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases. Clay Wilcox (.397), Wyatt Bendall (.368), Clay Gardner (.354), Evans Moss (.329), Jordan Evans and Braiden Irvin all help provide plenty of offensive punch for the Region 9 champs, who have won 12 of their last 15 games.
Region 9 runner-up Cedar (18-5), ranked No. 2 in the latest Deseret News 3A poll, is led by pitcher Kayden Lunt, who brings a sparkling 9-1 season record into Saturday's state tournament opener. Brock Esplin owns a 3-1 record on the mound and has accounted for nearly a dozen extra-base hits this season, while Ryker Tom, Treyson Esplin, Dusty Hanna, Brecken Lewis and Lunt have all produced at the plate for the Redmen, who have won five of their last six games.
Juan Diego, which is also 18-5 overall, has spread around its pitching victories among Chandler Lamberton, Alex Baeza, Dylan Delgado and Ryan Green. Josh Kirch has crushed seven home runs for the Soaring Eagle, while Justin Kummer has nearly a dozen extra-base hits and has combined with Kalyn Kimmel for seven more homers between them. Preston Davis has also produced at the plate for the Region 10 champions, who have won nine of their last 10 games.
Two more Region 9 teams, Canyon View (14-8) and Pine View (12-9), round out the top-five 3A rankings heading into postseason play.
Canyon View's top pitcher is Zack Brinkerhoff (8-3), and the Falcons' offense features Keaton Kringlen, who has three homers and 14 other extra-base hits, along with Payton Higgins and Xavier Stoker.
Pine View's premier pitcher is Dakota Donovan (6-2), while Justice Santiago, Dylan Draper, Brooks Barney, Micah Morgan and Donovan pace the Panthers, who've won four of their last five games, at the plate.
"Juan Diego is always tough," Coach Beck said in sizing up the tourney field, "and any of the four teams from our region could make a run. Last year, three of the last four teams in the tournament were from our region. We feel like we have the best 3A baseball league in the state. It's a dogfight down here, no doubt about it.
"But you never know. Teams can come out of nowhere and get hot. Two of the northern schools, Bear River and Park City, that are coming to play at our park on Saturday, have had strong seasons, too."
Region 11 tri-champions Stansbury (12-9), Grantsville (16-6) and Bear River (17-5) have all had solid seasons.
Stansbury's top pitcher is Trenton Griffin (6-1), while Gage Manzione, Nick Mackay and Jacob Colovich pace the Stallions at the plate.
Grantsville gets great pitching from the trio of Wyatt Barrus (6-2), Dillon Hutchins (5-2) and Matthew Garrard (3-0), and the booming bats of Barrus (five home runs and 10 other extra-base hits), Nick Arbon, Ky Fisher, Wyatt Smith, Dallin Williams and Hutchins keeps the Cowboys' offense riding high in the saddle.
Bear River spreads its pitching victories around among Hunter Porritt (4-1), John Shafer (3-0), Hayden Woodward (3-1), Jardee Neesen (3-2) and Hunter Elbrader (2-0), with Woodard, Porritt and Neesen pacing the Bears' offensively.
Region 12 champ Payson (15-8) has won 13 of its last 15 games, thanks in part to the strong pitching of Seth Sorensen and Wyatt Voorhees, who are both 5-2, and Easton Smith (3-0). Jace Carter, Tyler Anderson, Jayden Hartle, Stockton Knotts, Dallon Neves and John Harmon lead the Lions' offense.
And Region 10 runner-up Park City (18-7) has had a strong season led by the pitching of Scott Stokes (6-1), Blake Morin (4-0) and Maverick Berglund (3-0), while Chandler Anderson, Chandler Barkdull, Jaxon Hermanson, Morin and Stokes fuel the Miners' batting attack.
EMAIL: rhollis@desnews.com