Arik Mack has been with the Maple Mountain baseball program since its inception, and now big dividends are coming his way and the team's way.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Porcaro
wanted to show a better side of himself.
Mack won a starting job as a pitcher during his freshman season for
Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork) and held the same role going into his junior year. Still, he felt far from satisfied. Mack faced several tough teams on the mound and came away feeling like he had not unleashed his full potential.
"I lost some close games," Mack said. "I just wanted to go out and show my potential. I had like a 2-4 record my sophomore year. I felt like that didn't go well next to my name, so I wanted to come out and see what I could do."
What Mack did redefined what a breakout season means.
Mack had a memorable junior season by any measure. The lefthander posted a 10-0 record with a sparkling 1.15 ERA and 109 strikeouts. He played an important role in leading Maple Mountain to a Region 8 championship and a 24-6 overall record.
The Golden Eagles won 12 straight games at one point, and Mack's solid pitching helped his team feel confident about competing with any opponent. He also gained confidence in knowing his teammates were there when he had an off game.
He credits them with helping him avoid a loss when Maple Mountain rallied in extra innings for a 5-4 victory over Timpview. The Golden Eagles rallied from a 2-0 hole with a pair of runs in the seventh inning. Doubles from Maple Mountain catcher
Ivan Brooks tied the game and then ultimately drove in the game winner.
"I almost lost that game last year," Mack said. "There were some close calls. If it wasn't for our hitting and my catcher, I don't think I would have had that many wins."
Mack and his teammates survived the close calls. They gained confidence and experience and it made a huge difference in the stretch run.
Maple Mountain coach Gary Miner said Mack's evolution as a pitcher has benefited both him and the rest of the team. They have developed confidence in one another and it allows them to get the job done – even against the toughest opponents.
"Arik has been good for us," Miner said. "He's been getting progressively better. He's been getting progressively more confident. Arik did his part. The difference is his teammates did their part as well and they fed off each other. His confidence grew and his teammates' confidence grew as the year progressed. That's the reason it was as good as it was."
Being a four-year starter has influenced Mack's development. When he tried out for the varsity team, Maple Mountain was a brand new high school. Hardly anyone on that first team had even played in a high school game. The opportunity was there for Mack to make a name for himself.
He took full advantage of it.
"We had two players when we started that had ever worn a high school uniform," Miner said. "So we as a coaching staff made a philosophical decision that we were going to work, we were going to win and lose with this freshman class. So we kept a lot of them. Arik started at pitcher as a freshman. Ivan (Brooks), who's my catcher, started as a freshman. So he and Arik have been together for four years."
Mack has continued progressing into his senior season. He is 2-0 on the mound and has helped the Golden Eagles get off to a 4-0 start in region play and an 8-4 start overall.
Beyond this season, Mack is set to play baseball for Brigham Young next spring. Mack considered playing for Salt Lake Community College or Dixie State, but he decided to commit to the Cougars after Mike Littlewood was hired to take over the program.
That doesn't mean playing for BYU was a back-up plan. Mack has dreamed about playing in Provo ever since he was a little kid. His father Jeff also played baseball for BYU in the 1970s.
"I wanted to be a Cougar really bad," Mack said. "I've always loved BYU."
Now Mack gets a chance to follow in his footsteps.
