One big hit is enough to crown Springville

SPANISH FORK — In a pitching duel, making one mistake and giving up one big hit can be very costly.

Spanish Fork ace Jace Brinkerhoff learned that the hard way Thursday afternoon in the Dons' 1-0 loss to Region 6 rival Springville — a game that turned out to be a classic match-up between the state's top two Class 4A teams.

Despite striking out 10 and allowing only three hits, Brinkerhoff and his Dons lost because of one big blow by Red Devils third baseman Matt McCoy, who blasted an inside fastball over the left-field fence in the fifth for the game's only run.

"I love it when somebody throws me a pitch right there," McCoy said of his game-winner, the first hit that Brinkerhoff had allowed to that point.

The victory clinches the region crown for the Red Devils, who are now 18-1 overall and 9-0 in league play. Spanish Fork drops to 15-2 and 6-2 in the region, with both losses coming to Springville.

"Brinkerhoff pitched a great game," Red Devils coach Willy Child said. "He probably would have won any other game but this one. It was a matter of one pitch here or one pitch there. It could have gone either way."

Dons' coach Jim "Shoe" Nelson agreed with Child's assessment.

"Jace was pitch for pitch with by far the best pitcher in the state," Nelson said.

Mark Pawelek is that pitcher and the reason one run and one bad pitch was too many. The Red Devils southpaw was again magical on the mound, striking out 15 (at least two in every inning) and giving up only three harmless singles. Actually, the Dons should feel good because the three hits are the most Pawelek has allowed in a game all season. The shut-out was Pawelek's third on the year and the Red Devils' seventh as a staff.

"The X factor was the difference," Nelson said. "When (Pawelek) is on the mound it's tough. He's a load for high school hitters."

McCoy wasn't sure his deep fly had cleared the fence until he was almost to second base. But once he saw it was gone, he figured the lone run was sufficient for his team to win.

"I think one run is always enough with our pitching staff," McCoy said.