D4 > ALL-STATE BASEBALL HUR SDAY J 21, 2012 D 4 > A L L - S T A T E B A S E B A L L TT H U RS D A Y ,, J U N E 21, 2 0 1 2

THE SALT T H E S A L T L AK E T R I B U N E KE

CLASS 5A CLASS 5A FIRST TEAM FIRST TEAM

CLASS 4A CLASS 4A FIRST T E A M F I R S T TEAM

CLASS 3A CLASS 3A FIRST T E A M F I R S T TEAM

CLASS 2A CLASS 2A FIRST T E A M F I R S T TEAM

Taylorsville team was resurrected by Brown Brown

of Coach of the Year Warriors went on run Warriors went on run through one-loss bracket. through one-loss bracket.
KYLE GOON By KYLE GOON
The Salt Lake Tribune The Salt Lake Tribune

MVP Riley Ottesen MVP Riley Ottesen

Shortstop, pitcher Shortstop, pitcher Junior, American Junior, American Fork

MVP Bridger Berrett MVP Bridger Berrett

Shortstop, pitcher Shortstop, pitcher Senior, Skyline Senior, Skyline

MVP Austin Ovard MVP Austin Ovard

Shortstop, pitcher Shortstop, pitcher Senior, Snow Canyon Senior, Snow Canyon

MVP Rylan Anderson MVP Rylan Anderson

Pitcher, catcher Pitcher, catcher Gunnison Senior, Gunnison Valley

Catcher Catcher Zac Willis, Jr., Zac Willis, Jr., American Fork American Fork

Catcher Catcher Colton Shaver, Colton Shaver, Soph., Jordan Soph.,

Catcher Tyler Catcher Tyler Hamilton, Sr., Hamilton, Sr., Timpanogos Timpanogos

First base Parker Overly, Soph., Orem

Catcher Catcher Jordan Rose, Sr., Bear River Sr., Bear River

First First base Kayden Kayden Porter, Spanish ter, Sr., Spanish Fork

Catcher Catcher Preston Preston Walston, Jr., Jr., Grand

First base Jordan Williams, Sr., Sr., Richfield Richeld

First base First base Mark Mark Krueger, Sr., Jordan Sr., Jordan

Second base Second base Jayden Jayden Bearnson, Bearnson, Jr., Syracuse Syracuse

Second base Second base Steve Bate, Sr., Steve Bate, Sr., Springville Springville

Third base Tyler Hardie, Jr., Tyler Woods Woods Cross

First base First base Croyden Croyden Carr, Sr., Juan Diego Sr., Juan Diego

Second Second base Parker Parker Bamgartner, Bamgartner, Jr., Wasatch

Second base Second base Brenden Brenden Turner, Sr., Sr., Millard Millard

Third base Kyler Kyler Torgerson, Sr., Richfield Richeld

Third Third base Beau Beau Kallas, Sr., Alta Alta

Shortstop Shortstop Brennon Brennon Anderson, Anderson, Sr., Jordan Jordan

Shortstop Shortstop Trace Hansen, Trace Hansen, Sr., Mountain Sr., Mountain Crest Crest

Shortstop Shortstop Cam Zollinger, Cam Zollinger, Sr., Bountiful Sr., Bountiful

Third base Third base Third Michael Jensen, Michael Jensen, Kameron King, Sr., Snow CanSr., Canyon Sr., Snow CanSr., yon View View

Shortstop Shortstop Kreth, Colton Kreth, Sr., Beaver Sr., Beaver

First base Geren Geren Payne, Sr., Emery Sr., Emery

Shortstop Shortstop Dallas Carroll, Dallas Carroll, Sr., Taylorsville Sr., Taylorsville

Outfield ConOuteld Connor Williams, nor Williams, Sr., Bingham Sr., Bingham

Shortstop Shortstop Snyder, Taylor Snyder, Jr., Salem Hills Jr., Salem Hills

Outfield Outeld Jason Oliverson, Jason Oliverson, Sr., Sky View Sr., Sky View

Shortstop Shortstop Hayden Nielsen, Sr., Nielsen, Sr., Spanish Fork Spanish Fork

Outfield Outeld Austin Geurtsen, Sr., Geurtsen, Sr., Juan Diego Juan Diego

Outfield Outeld Morgun Morgun Phelps, Phelps, Sr., Enterprise Enterprise

Outfield Outeld Tyler Harris, Sr., Sr., Gunnison Gunnison Valley

Outfield Alex Outeld Alex Fife, Sr., Jordan Fife, Sr., Jordan

Outfield Outeld Udy, Hayden Udy, Sr., Syracuse Sr., Syracuse

Outfield Outeld Luke Luke Myers, Sr., Sr., Skyline Skyline

Outfield Outeld Nick Mafi, Nick Ma, Soph., Maple Soph., Maple Mountain Mountain

Outfield Outeld Dakota Dakota Gsneros, Jr., Cisneros, Jr., Carbon

Outfield Outeld Keaton Keaton Kringlen, Fr., Kringlen, Fr., Canyon View Canyon View

Outfield Outeld Ryan Ryan West, Sr., Sr., Enterprise Enterprise

Outfield Outeld Kyle Yockey, Jr., Layton Layton Christian

final On the nal day of the Class 5A the tournament, the state baseball tournament, the Taylorsville Warriors looked fresh. out hits, They were knocking out hits, they were playing solid defense, were their pitchers were throwing this really a team that hard. Was this really a team that had played five games in four days? ve the group It was. And the group of selfdescribed "blue-collar" Wardescribed blue-collar Warmost riors nearly pulled off the most spectacular spectacular of comebacks. They pushed American Fork to pushed American Fork to a seconly an inning ond game and fell only an inning short winning it all after ghtshort of winning it all after fightthrough ing through the one-loss bracket. But that's But thats not the thing that Tribune the gives Tribune Coach of the Year the most Jake Brown the most pride. "I'm not Im not really sure what people were expecting, but we set set expectations ourselves," high expectations for ourselves, says. "We proved that he says. We proved that we be that we were as longed that we were as good as thought were." we thought we were. has one of the Taylorsville has one of the most storied histories basestoried histories of any basestate, ball program in the state, but in Brown's first that Browns rst year, that success was firmly left in rmly left in history. The Warriors 7-14 record clawed to a 7-14 record in 2010, a rebuilding in progress. But in his tenure at the program, implanted system Brown has implanted a system founded on outworking opponents. founded on outworking opponents. With that as his standard, he began to see improvement. This year was the first time Taylorsville caprst time tured a region title since 2OO8. region title since 2008. Even when the Warriors took a thrashing the hands thrashing at the hands of Alta in the second round, Brown came second came team back at his team with a message that they could keep coming back. "He He told us to focus on our game, else," and not worry about anyone else, "Even senior Dallas Carroll says. Even the confident. after the loss, we felt confident. it carried us through the And it carried us through the week." week. expertly managed Brown also expertly managed his pitching, finding star performnding ers in unexpected places. Taylorsended ville ended up beating every quarterfinal ternal team Jordan, Bingham, Jordan, Alta and American Fork at least Fork at on its run. With that once on its run. With that success, Brown hopes tradition will start hopes tradition start flowing through the owing through the program once again. "When we When we lost, you saw guys and that a picture crying, and that paints a picture at," "We of where we were at, he says. We fully expected fully expected to win. We are back a A championship as a program. A championship is not a pipe dream. dream."
kgoon@sltrib.com kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon Twitter: @kylegoon

College commitments
Pitcher Brady Pitcher Brady Lail, Sr., BingLail, Sr., Bingham ham Pitcher Pitcher Tanner Draper, Tanner Draper, Jr., Riverton Jr., Riverton Pitcher Pitcher Colton Hill, Jr., Colton Hill, Jr., Salem Hills Salem Hills Pitcher Pitcher Arik Mack, Jr., Arik Mack, Jr., Maple Maple Mountain Mountain Pitcher Riley Pitcher Kade Pitcher Riley Pitcher Kade Gates, Jr., Snow Wagner, Sr., Gates, Jr., Snow Wagner, Sr., Canyon Juan Diego Canyon Juan Diego Pitcher Pitcher Dakota Bullock, Dakota Bullock, Jr., Millard Jr., Millard Pitcher Ty Pitcher Ty Bartholomew, Bartholomew, Sr., Gunnison Sr., Gunnison Valley Valley Kayden Porter, Spanish Fork Kayden Porter, Spanish Fork North Carolina North Carolina Brady Lail, Bingham Arizona Brady Lail, Bingham Arizona Connor Williams, Bingham Utah Connor Williams, Bingham Utah Dallas Carroll, Taylorsville Utah Dallas Carroll, Taylorsville Utah Dalton Carroll, Taylorsville Utah Dalton Carroll, Taylorsville Utah Cam Zollinger, Bountiful Utah Cam Zollinger, Bountiful Utah Blake Brailsford, American Fork Blake Brailsford, American Fork BYU Hayden Nielsen, Spanish Fork Hayden Nielsen, Spanish Fork BYU BYU Danny Beddes, American Fork Danny Beddes, American Fork Utah Valley Utah Valley Beau Kallas, Beau Kallas, Alta Utah Valley Utah Valley Mark Krueger, Jordan Utah Mark Krueger, Jordan Utah Valley Valley Brennon Anderson, Jordan SLCC Brennon Anderson, Jordan SLCC Austin Ovard, Snow Canyon Austin Ovard, Snow Canyon SLCC SLCC Alex Fife, Jordan Western Alex Fife, Jordan Western Nevada Nevada Kolton Brost, Payson Southern Kolton Brost Payson Southern Idaho Idaho

Pitcher Pitcher Dalton Carroll, Dalton Carroll, Sr., Taylorsville Sr., Taylorsville

Pitcher Blake Pitcher Blake Brailsford, Sr., Brailsford, Sr., American Fork American Fork

Pitcher Zach Pitcher Zach Johnson, Sr., Johnson, Sr., Mountain Crest Mountain Crest

Pitcher Lars Pitcher Lars Lofgren, Sr., Lofgren, Sr., Skyline Skyline

Pitcher Pitcher Kolton Brest, Kolton Brost, Sr., Payson Sr., Payson

Pitcher Pitcher Brady Brady Corless, Jr., Corless, Jr., Spanish Fork Spanish Fork

Pitcher Pitcher Sam Myers, Jr., Sam Myers, Jr., Beaver Beaver

Pitcher Pitcher Logan Meyer, Logan Meyer, Jr., San Juan Jr., San Juan

Second team Second team Catcher Branson Larsen, Jr., Davis Catcher Bronson Larsen, Jr., Davis First base Danny Beddes, Sr., First base Danny Beddes, Sr., American Fork American Fork Second base Khale Tilby, Sr., Alta Second base Khale Tilby, Sr., Alta Third base Tanner Olsen, Sr., Davis Third base Tanner Olsen, Sr., Davis Shortstop Mark Cavaness, Sr., Alta Shortstop Mark Cavaness, Sr., Alta Shortstop Zac Fuller, Jr., Davis Shortstop Zac Fuller, Jr., Davis Outfield Zach Watts, Sr., Copper Hills Outeld Zach Watts, Sr., Copper Hills Outfield Brennon Lund, Jr., Bingham Outeld Brennon Lund, Jr., Bingham Outfield Mo Flinders, Sr., American Outeld Mo Flinders, Sr., American Fork Fork Outfield Larenz Stansfield, Jr., Outeld Larenz Stanseld, Jr., Taylorsville Taylorsville Pitcher Matt Rigby, Sr., Brighton Pitcher Matt Rigby, Sr., Brighton PitcherJason Jourdan, Jr., Syracuse Pitcher Jason Jourdan, Jr., Syracuse Pitcher Morgan Gomez, Soph., Jordan Pitcher Morgan Gomez, Soph., Jordan Pitcher Isaac Evans, Soph., Viewmont Pitcher Isaac Evans, Soph., Viewmont

Second team Second team Catcher Brady Cowley, Jr., Woods Cross Catcher Brady Cowley, Jr., Woods Cross Catcher Colton Willey, Sr., Westlake Catcher Colton Willey, Sr., Westlake First base Mike Staes, Sr., Skyline First base Mike Staes, Sr., Skyline Second base Mitch Dial, Sr, Murray Second base Mitch Dial, Sr., Murray Second base Luke Larsen, Sr., Bountiful Second base Luke Larsen, Sr., Bountiful Third base Mitch Kay, Sr., Maple Third base Mitch Kay, Sr., Maple Mountain Mountain Shortstop Dallen Godfrey, Sr., Sky View Shortstop Dallen Godfrey, Sr., Sky View Outfield Tyler Liechty, Sr., Sky View Outeld Tyler Liechty, Sr, Sky View Outfield Russel Isom, Sr., Provo Outeld Russel Isom, Sr., Provo Outfield Kincade Pay, Sr., Timpanogos Outeld Kincade Pay, Sr., Timpanogos Pitcher Ben Weese, Soph., Mountain Pitcher Ben Weese, Soph., Mountain Crest Crest Pitcher Kirk Haney, Sr., Salem Hills Pitcher Kirk Haney, Sr, Salem Hills Pitcher Tommy Lalli, Sr., Bountiful Pitcher Tommy Lalli, Sr., Bountiful Pitcher Shad Denton, Sr., Provo Pitcher Shad Denton, Sr., Provo

Second team Second team Catcher Lex Nielsen, Sr., Canyon View Catcher Lex Nielsen, Sr., Canyon View Catcher Taylor Bills, Sr., Wasatch Catcher Taylor Bills, Sr., Wasatch First base Braxton Ipson, Soph., Dixie First base Braxton Ipson, Soph., Dixie Second base Brogan Secrist, Jr., Snow Second base Brogan Secrist, Jr., Snow Canyon Canyon Third base Brock Garn, Sr, Juan Diego Third base Brock Garn, Sr., Juan Diego Shortstop Kyle Church, Sr., Delta Shortstop Kyle Church, Sr., Delta Shortstop Jake Witkowski, Sr., Shortstop Jake Witkowski, Sr., Stansbury Stansbury Outfield Julian Tamllos, Sr., Carbon OuteldJulian Tamllos, Sr., Carbon Outfield Conner Lagnese, Sr., Park City Outeld Conner Lagnese, Sr., Park City Outfield Jesse Clingman, Sr., Stansbury Outeld Jesse Clingman, Sr, Stansbury PitcherJake Meservey, Sr., Spanish Fork Pitcher Jake Meservey, Sr., Spanish Fork Pitcher Hunter Low, Jr., Cedar City Pitcher Hunter Low, Jr., Cedar City Pitcher Mark Trevino, Jr., Park City Pitcher Mark Trevino, Jr., Park City Pitcher Zach Brinkerhoff, Fr., Canyon Pitcher Zach Brinkerhoff, Fr., Canyon View View

Second team Second team CatcherJoey Edwards, Sr., North Sevier Catcher Joey Edwards, Sr., North Sevier Catcher Lyndon Bradshaw, Sr., Beaver Catcher Lyndon Bradshaw, Sr., Beaver First base Brennon Jensen, Sr., First base BrennonJensen, Sr., Gunnison Valley Gunnison Valley Second base Barkley Christensen, Jr., Second base Barkley Christensen, Jr., San Juan San Juan Third base Brandon Oliver, Sr., Emery Third base Brandon Oliver, Sr, Emery Shortstop Jamen Miller, Jr., Manti Shortstop Jamen Miller, Jr., Manti Shortstop Colby Caldwell, Jr., Shortstop Colby Caldwell, Jr., Gunnison Valley Gunnison Valley Outfield Tappan Draper, Jr., Emery OuteldTappan Draper, Jr., Emery Outfield Dylan Richmond, Sr., San Juan Outeld Dylan Richmond, Sr, San Juan Outfield Colby Warren, Jr., Parowan Outeld Colby Warren, Jr., Parowan PitcherJade Hulet, Sr., Enterprise Pitcher Jade Hulet, Sr., Enterprise Pitcher Taylor Glover, Soph., Kanab Pitcher Taylor Glover, Soph., Kanab Pitcher Scott Silverstein, Jr., Rowland Pitcher Scott Silverstein, Jr., Rowland Hall Hall Pitcher Tyson McDougall, Sr., Grand Pitcher Tyson McDougall, Sr., Grand

Season Season highlights

It was no year for repeats: Each It was no year for repeats: Each classification had a new champiclassication had a new champion: American Fork, Snow Canyon on: American Fork, Snow Canyon and Gunnison each hadn't won in and Gunnison each hadnt won in several years, and Skyline had nevseveral years, and Skyline had never won. er won. The "if necessary games were in The if necessary" games were in vogue: The Cavemen, Eagles and vogue: The Cavemen, Eagles and Warriors not only needed second Warriors not only needed second games, but also had to stage comegames, but also had to stage comebacks in those games to win it all. backs in those games to win it all.

W W W ..S L T R IIB ..C O M W S R B COM

H R S D A Y U N E 21, 0 1 2 ALL-STATE BASEBALL < D5 T H U R S D A Y ,, JJ U N E21, 22 0 1 2 A L L - S T A T E B A S E B A L L < D 5

5A MVP RILEY OTTESEN, A M E R I C A N FORK 5 A M V P R I L E Y O T T E S E N , AMERICAN F O R K

4A MVP B R BERRETT, SKYLINE 4A MVP BRIDGER BERRETT, SKYLINE

TRENT NELSON \TheSaltLakeTribune TRENT NELSON | The Salt Lake Tribune

NELSON \TheSaltLakeTribune TRENT NELSON | The Salt Lake Tribune

American Fork junior Riley Ottesen batted .460 for the Cavemen and went 9-1 on the mound American Fork junior Riley Ottesen batted .460 for the Cavemen and went 9-1 on the mound with a 1.44 ERA while leading the Cavemen to the 5A title. with a 1.44 ERAwhile leading the Cavemen to the 5A title.

Skyline's Bridger Skylines Bridger Berrett was in the middle of the action all season, and earned 4A baseball the middle of the action all season, and earned MVP honors. He went 8-2 with a 2.11 ERA as a pitcher also played MVP honors. He went 8-2 with a 2.11 ERAas a pitcher and also played shortstop.

Ottesen showed heroics in playoffs heroics in playoffs

there," American Fork junior wanted to get there, he says. "We weren't going to runWe werent going to be runhad a knack for ner-up this year." ner-up this year. Fork its game-winning plays. American Fork won its
By KYLE GOON By KYLE GOON
The Salt Lake Tribune The Salt Lake Tribune

Berrett was central to Skyline s success to Skylines

key The senior was a key part Eagles' Eagles senior Skyline's of Skylines first baseball shortstop and pitcher state championship and, for had key contributions. that, he earned The Tribune's earned The Tribunes
By JON CLIFFORD
Special to The Tribune Special to The Tribune

Every morning, Every morning, a message greeted Riley Ottesen greeted Riley Ottesen when he looked in the mirror. he looked in the mirror. It It was scrawled on a piece of paper, held up by tape: of paper, held up by tape: "We will be state champiWe will be state champions, and MVP." ons, and I will be 5A MVP. For a while, the For a while, the optimism of that statement outof that statement was outweighed only by its boldness. weighed only by its boldness. But as the season went on, But as the season went on, Ottesen took his own steps Ottesen took his own steps to a reality. to make his goals a reality. "It and I It meant a lot to me, and I

first title in 27 years thanks rst title in 27 years thanks to Ottesen, The Tribune's to Ottesen, The Tribunes 5A MVP who was never shy 5A MVP who was never shy about ambitions. But about his ambitions. But he surpassed even his perhaps surpassed even his own pitching own vision, pitching a comand knocking in plete game and knocking in the run memthe winning run for a memorable 5-4 victory against orable 5-4 victory against Taylorsville. Taylorsville. The No. 2 hitter in the The No. 2 hitter in the order order and one of the Cavemen's starting mens starting pitchers, Ottesen for steptesen had a flair for stepping up in the postseason. up in the postseason. He had a similarly heroic He had a similarly heroic game pitching and hitting game pitching and hitting kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon against Jordan, against Jordan, holding one Twitter: @kylegoon

of the state's most dangerof the states most dangerous lineups relatively silent ous lineups relatively silent going while going 3 for 4 himself. He also hit the He also hit the game-winning fly against ning sacrifice fly against Alta to secure a championto secure a championship berth. ship berth. For the Ottesen For the year, Ottesen 9-1 on the mound went 9-1 on the mound with a 1.44 ERA, and also batted a 1.44 ERA, and also batted .460. Overall it wasn't .460. Overall it wasnt a bad the junior but year for the junior but opsweatponents should be sweating how he might try ing how he might try to top season. himself next season. "I I just want to keep getbetter," says. ting better, Ottesen says. "This This just shows how good we can be. can be."

Berrett here, Bridger Berrett was here, the there, everywhere for the Eagles this season. Skyline Eagles this season. was the man in He was the man in the middle. In the middle of the ineld, infield, where he played near-flawshortstop. In less shortstop. In the midof dle of the diamond, where he went 8-2 with a 2.11 ERA as the staff ace. In the middle of In middle just about every run-scoring rally the Eagles put together rally the Eagles put together as the leadoff hitter. the leadoff hitter.

Class 4A MVP Class 4A MVP honor. "He came through in He ca me throug h in clutch some clutch situations for us," us, Skyline coach Erik Han"He sen said. He was just conthroughout the sistent throughout the entire year, whether it was whether pitching, hitter or defense, he always gave you a good performance. He just performance. He just had a season." great season. Berrett hit .425 in the regular season, with 20 RBIs with 20 24 runs the and 24 runs scored atop the potent Eagles lineup. contributions, His biggest contributions, however, came on however, came on the mound in the postseason, where he

baffled Murray 7-3 victobafed Murray in a 7-3 victory, then came ry, then came back the next day to pitch in relief in the to pitch in relief championship-clinching victory against Timpanogos. Berrett said winning state the was the highlight of his baseball career, but there was anthat other achievement that finished a close second. "I'd Id say beating Olympus three times," Berrett said of times, Berrett said Eagles' and the Eagles rival and neighbor. That, and the grand "That, and grand I Olympus." slam I hit against Olympus. Berrett, who will play next season at Lewiston State in North Dakota, was part of a group of 10 seniors on Skyseniors line's lines roster. That experibig role in ence played a big role in the title run.

3A MVP AUSTIN OVARD, SNOW C A N Y O N 3 A M V P A U S T I N O V A R D , S N O W CANYON

2A MVP RYLAN ANDERSON, GUNNISON 2A MVP RYLAN ANDERSON, GUNNISON

TRENT NELSON \TheSaltLakeTribune TRENT NELSON | The Salt Lake Tribune

TRENT NELSON \TheSaltLakeTribune TRENT NELSON | The Salt Lake Tribune

Snow Canyon's Austin Ovard was the team's top hitter a strong starter on the mound. Snow Canyons Austin Ovard was the teams top hitter and a strong starter on the mound.

Gunnison's Rylan Anderson was dominant as a starting pitcher a catcher for the Bulldogs. Gunnisons Rylan Anderson was dominant as a starting pitcher and a catcher for the Bulldogs.

Snow Canyon held Anderson boosted held after injury steady under Ovard efforts after injury
Senior helped Senior helped lead Warriors through a challenging season.
By KYLE GOON By KYLE GOON
The Salt Lake Tribune The Salt Lake Tribune

It was a familiar feeling to It was a familiar feeling to as if defeat was Austin Ovard, as if defeat was looming once again for the looming once again for the Snow Canyon baseball team. Snow Canyon baseball team. Just the Just a year before, the Warriors had a Warriors had dropped a pair of crushing losses to finish of crushing losses to finish runner-up to Spanish Fork runner-up to Spanish Fork in 4A championin the Class 4A championship. This season, in the 3A ship. This season, in the 3A title match, had title match, Juan Diego had forced a second forced a second game. Everyone in the Snow Canyon eryone in the Snow Canyon

dugout seemed tense. seemed tense. "It like last year," It felt like last year, Ovard says. "For it Ovard says. For me, it was about avoiding the past. just about avoiding the past. We had to come together We had to come together and make sure it didn't and make sure it didnt happen again." pen again. The senior shortstop The senior shortstop and pitcher very much took and pitcher very much took Snow Canyon's season into Snow Canyons season into his own hands, getting a crucial hit that led to a tying run cial hit that led to a tying run in scoring in the second game, scoring the winning run himself the winning run himself and adding two RBIs in a later inadding two RBIs in a later inning for insurance. He also ning for insurance. He also pitched two shutout innings two shutout innings to clinch the title, completing to clinch the title, completing a performance worthy of The a performance worthy of The Tribune's 3A MVP award. Tribunes 3A MVP award. But it was far from two But it was far from two

games that denned Ovard's games that dened Ovards season. He was the team's season. He was the teams top hitting threat, batting top hitting threat, batting .417 and knocking in 34 runs .417 and knocking in 34 runs the also for the year, but he also pitched for a 6-1 record with 6-1 record a ERA and 51 strikeouts a 1.58 ERA and 51 strikeouts against only eight against only eight walks. For a team that needed a team that needed leadership when it leadership when it was forced to forfeit games because of an to forfeit games because of an ineligible player, Ovard was ineligible player, Ovard was the Warriors' man. the Warriors man. "We took that pretty We took that pretty hard at first, but it brought us toat rst, but it brought us together," he says. "In the long gether, he says. In the long run, we had been in musthad been in mustwin situations so it win situations before, so it helped us relax when the relax when the championship was on the championship was on the line." line.

dominant Senior was dominant in Gunnison Valleys Gunnison Valley's championship run.
By RICH WINTER By RICH WINTER
Special to The Tribune Special to The Tribune

After he was hit in the was hit in the face with a pitch during a face with a pitch during a game against North Sevier against North in April 2011, some thought in April 2011, some thought Gunnison's Gunnisons Rylan Anderson might never play again. Besides the damage to his sides the damage to his face, doctors worried his brain doctors worried his brain was at risk. at His absence from the diaHis absence from the diamond lasted about a month, month, and the then-junior a and the then-junior wore a protective face mask when protective face mask when

he returned. But the memreturned. of that ory of that high fastball was hard to overcome, and and and mates Anderson and his mates earlier than lost earlier than expected prompting the pitcher prompting the pitcherhe'd catcher to vow hed make it all the back. all the way back. He did. And it was more did. it than just recovery. In his than just a recovery. In his senior season, Anderson was better than ever. And was better than ever. And his efforts, he has for his efforts, he has been named The Salt Lake TriThe Salt Lake Tribune's 2A baseball bunes 2A baseball MVP. Anderson a perfect Anderson was a perfect 9-0 on the mound this season. When catching, he hit son. When catching, he hit .488 and controlled the deand fense for Gunnison this seafense for Gunnison this season. son.

The Bulldogs went 24-2 and defeated Richfield 6-4 Richeld 6-4 for the 2A baseball title baseball title their first since 2OO8. rst since 2008. "Just the whole Just the whole experience great," said rience was great, said Anderson. "After going A nderson. A fter going through the last through the injury last year, I couldn't think of a better I couldnt think of a better out." way to go out. Anderson said the postseason run brought him season run brought him senior teammates and his senior teammates their only state title during a four-year career. He threw a four-year career. He threw the final strikeout in the tithe nal strikeout in the title game to seal the title. seal the "Baseball is pretty big Baseball is pretty big down here, and it was cool to see congratulating to see people congratulating us and making it a big deal." us and making it a big deal.