3A high school baseball championship: Juan Diego soars to victory over Bulldogs

OREM — Throughout the state tournament — and the entire 2009 season, for that matter — different players on Juan Diego's roster took turns being stars and leading the team to victories.

This time, in their biggest game of the season, it was a seldom-used pitcher and a sophomore with a dazzling future who made all the difference for the Soaring Eagle.

Pitcher Luke West threw a complete game, and shortstop Kody Davis drove in four runs to lead Juan Diego to an 8-3 win over Judge Memorial in the 3A championship game. The win gave the Soaring Eagle their first 3A title, and fourth state baseball championship overall.

"It's very nice," said Juan Diego coach Steve Cramblitt. "We've worked very hard on (attaining this goal) since being in 3A. It is a milestone for us."

From an outsider's point of view, Cramblitt seemed to roll the dice in pitching West against the Bulldogs to try and reach Juan Diego's milestone achievement. Entering Saturday's championship game, West had made three starts this season and pitched a total of 17 varsity innings. But it was a decision Cramblitt felt comfortable making after watching West gradually improve as the season progressed.

It proved to be the correct move.

West recorded eight strikeouts and got in a groove after allowing an unearned run in the first. He faced the minimum number of batters in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. He said when he struck out Judge lead-off hitter Keenyn Walker in the first inning, it gave him the confidence he needed the rest of the way.

"From start to finish, I felt pretty good," West said. "This is just amazing. It feels great. It's the best day of my life."

West can be overpowering, throwing in the upper 80s. But what's made him a better pitcher — and one worthy of starting a state championship game — is his improved control and ability to hit his spots while throwing in the mid-80s.

"He's improved himself to be able to do that today," Cramblitt said. "I couldn't be happier for him."

Davis quickly put Juan Diego in the lead for good by smacking a two-run double in the second. He also drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt, had an RBI single in the sixth, and stole home in the sixth when the Bulldogs' defense was sleeping.

"What a player," Cramblitt said. "He just looks for opportunities to make things happen and he gets it done. Have you seen a sophomore shortstop handle the pressure the way he has? Not many of them that I've seen. He's awesome all the way around."