4A baseball: Spanish Fork wins title after another comeback – Salt Lake Tribune

It was the first state championship for Spanish Fork since 2011, and the seventh overall — tied for seventh most in UHSAA history. Jim “Shoe” Nelson guided the Dons to the first six. This time, his son, Casey “Gub” Nelson — in his first year atop the program — was the man in charge.

And Shoe liked this one the most.

“Better than when you do it,” Shoe said when asked what it was like watching his son. “That was a tremendous coaching job. Credit goes to the players, but these coaches did an outstanding job. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Spanish Fork (15-12) opened the season with a 1-6 record after a treacherous preseason schedule. Throughout the season — and particularly in the postseason, including overcoming a three-run deficit in the sixth inning on Friday — the Dons’ resilience was illuminated.

“They’re a great bunch of kids to coach. We’re really senior-heavy, and those guys gave everything for me,” Gub Nelson said, his eyes glossy with tears. “Sorry I’m emotional. I’m a freaking baby when it comes to this stuff.”

Maple Mountain (22-11) appeared headed to continue its run of six consecutive elimination-game wins after falling in the opening round. Jake Mafi and Andrew Wixom drove in three runs in the third to give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 advantage. Then, Colton Hamilton preserved Maple’s three-run cushion with an RBI single in the fourth after Spanish Fork stole one run back on three consecutive walks.

But, similar to their dramatic walk-off semifinal victory against Salem Hills on Thursday, the Dons rallied in the sixth. Taylor Harrison (RBI double) and Tanner Argyle (RBI groundout) pulled the Dons to within one run. And with two outs, Devin Argyle crushed a shot into center, bringing in one run before a fielding error furnished Spanish Fork’s first lead, 5-4.

“I felt like I knew exactly what was coming,” Devin Argyle said. “I had 100 percent confidence I’d get the job done.”

Long after the final pitch, Golish meandered on the third-base line after the team celebration, not wanting to exit the field in his final high school game. As one of the senior leaders, he was awarded the lucky bat as keepsake.

“It’s going to mean more to me than anybody will ever understand,” Golish said.

Before he finally climbed the stairs leading out of the field, he rubbed the bat one last time for good measure — and good luck.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs