5A high school baseball: Spanish Fork captures crown over Lone Peak

OREM - For the second time in four years, the Spanish Fork Dons claimed the 5A state baseball title, this time beating Lone Peak 12-6 on Friday at Utah Valley University.

"I am just happy to be a part of the great tradition and history of Spanish Fork baseball," said senior, second baseman Trevor Randolph. "We knew that we could be a part of something special, and by working hard and putting in 100-percent effort, we are going out on top. There is not a better way to leave than this."

A group of 12 seniors leaves the team having been a part of two state championships. None, however, has had a bigger impact on Spanish Fork baseball than Brock Duke, who was named the tournament MVP after picking up a pair of wins from the mound, hitting cleanup, belting a couple of home runs and playing the all-important shortstop position. He was also a freshman starter on the 2006 title winning team.

"The first one was great, but this one probably means a little more being a senior and all," said Duke. "Plus, I get to share this one with my brother."

Brock's younger brother Adam, a junior, also played a huge role in the Dons' run through the season and playoffs. He was the winning pitcher in two games, including Tuesday's win over Jordan, and he also came in to get the final six outs of the championship game.

"It is every player's dream to be able to get the final out in a state title game," Adam said. "I told coach (Jim Nelson), 'I want the ball.' I had a couple of days rest and I wanted the chance to go out and throw. I had confidence that I could get the job done."

There were plenty of reasons Spanish Fork was the favorite not only for Friday's final, but entering the two-week tournament. Besides having an experienced squad, there was the fact it had more quality pitchers than nearly every other team. That was evident with Friday's starter Chase Castleberry. On almost any other team, Castleberry would have been a staff ace, but on the Dons, he was able to throw out of the No. 3 spot.

"Chase did a great job for us," said Nelson. "He hadn't thrown in a little while, so he probably got a little tired sooner than he would have, but he was effective in slowing down a very good hitting Lone Peak team."

Castleberry went four and 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and seven hits with five strikeouts and four walks. The numbers were not overwhelming, but considering he was going against a Lone Peak team that had averaged 12 runs in its previous seven playoff games, it was a strong performance.