This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Park City deserves respect by any standard. The Miners averaged better than seven runs per game en route to an overall record of 19-3, and while leaning on two legitimate No. 1 pitchers, they earned the No. 1 seed from Region 10 with the accompanying luxury of hosting a regional site for the Class 3A postseason.

Yet, Park City is considered an underdog in the first round on Saturday when it faces fourth-seeded Snow Canyon, which is vying for its third title in four years.

The perception around the 3A classification from season's start is the eventual champion would come from Region 9, which advertised six playoff-caliber programs.

"It's no different than any other year I've been coaching. It's my fifth year, and every time the southern teams have been projected to win the state title," Park City coach Lou Green said. "It comes down to the guy 60 feet, 6 inches away. The guys who don't get great performances on the mound are typically in the bleachers buying a ticket next Saturday."

The northern portion of Utah actually has the advantage in the past two years, with Grantsville thwarting the two-year reign of the Warriors (16-7). Juan Diego won consecutive titles in 2010-11.

That has done little to change the superior attitude of the southern region. Pine View and Oregon State commit Dakota Donovan, who reached regular-season perfection with an 8-0 record on the mound, didn't hesitate when asked if he thought Region 9 would hoist the championship hardware when the tournament commences May 16 at Dixie State University.

"Definitely," he said. "I think the best talent is in Region 9."

The Panthers (14-8) opened the 2015 campaign with a 3-7 record before winning 11 of 12, including sweeping then-top-seeded Desert Hills in the final series of the year to capture a share of the region title. The Thunder, which needed only to split the series for the region crown, initially were sentenced to Bear River's pod — nearly 400 miles away — though weather considerations ultimately led to those games being relocated to Juan Diego.

"It's huge," Donovan said on avoiding the border-to-border journey. "I mean playing with your fans behind you, playing at your home field, getting to sleep in your own bed. It's definitely big."

Bear River (14-9), which plays Richfield (9-13), staggered to finish the season, losing three of four after posting a seven-game win streak in the month of March. In the second game in Garland, the Thunder (16-7), featuring three five-win pitchers, are tasked with Juan Diego (12-9).

Region 11's second seed, Stansbury, wrapped up the regular season winning eight straight before falling to Class 4A's Salem Hills. Gage Manzione and sophomore Mitch McIntrye provide a solid base in the rotation for the Stallions, who'll square off against Juab (10-6) at the Pine View location.

Payson (17-6) won its second consecutive Region 12 title behind Jayden Hartle, who earned the designation of region MVP, and Dylan Lutz, who led the team in hits. But the Lions are trying to avoid suffering the same fate they experienced in 2014, with two consecutive losses for an early ticket home.

"I think not only have they learned from that experience, they've come back hungry. I think the mindset is a little different going into it this year," said Payson coach Brad Kidd. "Last year was the first year we'd won region in close to 40 years. This year, repeating as region champions, they've been there. It's an expectation at this point."

The Lions face Tooele (5-16), the fourth seed from Region 11, at Hurricane at noon on Saturday. Payson elected to relocate to St. George — its earned right as region champion — to avoid anticipated rainfall rather than delaying action to Monday in an attempt to keep its rotation fresh.

The matchup between Uintah (17-5) and Cedar (18-5) also switched locations from Payson to Snow Canyon, providing a distinct advantage to the neighboring Reds.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Class 3A baseball tournament

P Saturday's first round at Pine View

• Juab vs. Stansbury, 9:30 a.m.

• Union vs. Pine View, 12:30 p.m.

at Park City

• Grantsville vs. Carbon, 10 a.m.

• Snow Canyon vs. Park City, 12:30 p.m.

at Hurricane

• Tooele vs. Payson, noon

at Snow Canyon

• Cedar vs. Uintah, noon

at Juan Diego

• Richfield vs. Bear River, 10 a.m.

• Juan Diego vs. Desert Hills, 1 p.m.