4A state champion Mustangs place 10 on all-Region 10 baseball team, Snow Canyon’s Luke Anderson named MVP

Crimson Cliffs Brexten Starley (left) celebrates after a home run against Pine View in a 4A state baseball playoff game, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Crimson Cliffs High School baseball team won the 4A state baseball championship and the Mustangs placed a region-high 10 players on the all-Region 10 team announced Tuesday.

Three Mustangs made the first team in hard-hitting outfielder Trey Evans, shortstop Petey Soto and left-handed pitching ace Beau Sampson.

All three played a vital role in the Mustangs’ state title-winning game at Bruce Hurst Field on May 21.

Representing Crimson Cliffs on the second team were catcher Brexten Starley, outfielder Logan West, Ty Maynard and Jayz Estridge.

Rounding out the all-Region 10 contingent and earning honorable mention were Mustangs Jaiven Ross, Canyon Kutch and Jayger Baldwin.

Crimson Cliffs was second in Region 10 with an 8-4 record and finished 23-4 overall.

Snow Canyon’s Luke Anderson MVP

Among the eight Snow Canyon Warriors named to the all-Region 10 team was Most Valuable Player Luke Anderson.

Snow Canyon senior Luke Anderson bunts in a 4A state baseball championship game, St. George, Utah, May 21, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Anderson batted .562 with 47 RBIs in leading the Warriors to a runner-up finish at the state tournament. He did that despite being unable to pitch while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

“Luke’s numbers were unbelievable. He broke school records in a lot of categories,” Snow Canyon coach Reed Secrist told St. George News. “To come back from Tommy John and be able to swing it for us and do what he did for us was huge. That’s kind of what an MVP is all about.”

Joining Anderson on the first team was Snow Canyon senior outfielder Logan Mendenhall.

“He started out hitting in the nine spot for us,” Secrist said. “He had no complaints and ended up batting first. He swung it with power, played great center field and could run like the wind. All that matched up.”

Snow Canyon’s Isaac Lyon and Sam Lindsey were named to the second team.

“He would have been first-teamer if he could have played a lot of games,” said Secrist, noting that injury prevented Lyon from pitching this year just like Anderson.

“Isaac was tremendous for us, a huge leader,” Secrist added. “And Sam just keeps putting together good year after good year. He’ll be our leader next year and he’ll continue to get better like he’s done each season.”

Rounding out the Snow Canyon all-Region 10 selections were honorable mention winners Crew Secrist, Talon Kelly, Hayden Smith and senior Jake Johnson.

“It’s always nice when three sophomores show up on that list,” Secrist said. “You know the program is headed in a good direction.”

Dixie

Dixie beats Bear River in a 4A state baseball playoff game, St. George, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by Jacqui Knighton, St. George News

Region 10 regular season champion Dixie placed seven players on the all-Region team. GJ Erickson, Malcolm Bartholomew and power-hitting shortstop Boston Vest were all selected to the first team.

Cayson Bell and Ridge Erickson were chosen to be on the second team and Flyers Logan Leavitt and Shea Anderson earned honorable mention.

Pine View

The Panthers were well represented by four players on the all-Region 10 team.

Brock Roundy and Luke Iverson both made the first team for Pine View while Andrew Shakespeare and Brandon Roundy were selected to the second team.

Desert Hills 

Hard-throwing right-hander Payton Gubler was the lone Thunder player to make the first team.

Also representing Desert Hills on the all-Region 10 team were Cole DeCastro (2nd team), Karson Irvin (2nd team) and Kyler Terry (honorable mention).

Hurricane

The Tigers pulled off the shocker of the first round of the state playoffs, beating Ridgeline twice on the road to make it to the final bracket of the state tournament.

Grant Sholzen was named to the second team and Tigers teammates Sam Johansen and Josh Wright each earned honorable mention.

Cedar

First-teamer Kason Crandall was the lone Cedar Red to make the all-Region 10 squad.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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