A solid pitch

In an area as talent rich in baseball as Utah Valley, it's a tough task to honor a select few.

A good percentage of the state's top baseball players suited up this season for the teams in Regions 6 and 7, which is a good reason why those teams dominated the state playoffs. Lehi even put a much better team on the field this season.

Picking the valley's most valuable player wasn't difficult. His numbers were so incredible that there was really no other player that compared, maybe ever. A handful of the first-team selections were also clear choices.

The rest of the team, however, was close between a couple of dozen players. Almost every player on the second team was given some consideration for first-team selection. Also, pretty much every player who received honorable mention honors was considered for the second team.

These are the Utah Valley players who we feel had the most outstanding seasons.

Most Valuable Player

MARK PAWELEK, Springville — Probably the most-dominating high school pitcher in Utah prep baseball history. Threw one no-hitter (against eventual state champion Timpanogos) and two one-hitters and finished with a 10-0 record. Did not allow an earned run all season. Struck out an amazing 132 batters in 63 innings, walked only 16, allowed only 16 hits all season and opponents batted .078 against him.

Also batted third in the Red Devils' lineup and hit .372 with two home runs, three triples and knocked in 23 runs.

Pitchers

TYSON FORD, Timpanogos — Was tougher to hit with men on base. Finished with a 10-3 record, averaged just less than two strikeouts per inning and ended with an earned-run-average of 1.47. Also batted .407 with a valley-best eight home runs.

JACE BRINKERHOFF, Spanish Fork — Utah Valley's best control pitcher. Finished with a 5-2 record and an earned-run-average of 0.94. Fanned 48 hitters in 44 innings pitched, walked only one, allowed no home runs and tossed two shutouts.

BRIAN BULOW, Springville — As the Red Devils No. 2 starter, compiled a 7-1 record by striking out 66 batters in almost 40 innings on the hill. Finished the season with an earned-run-average of 1.94 and opponents batted only .217 against him.