Dustin Tooker's arm was tired after pitching consecutive complete games, including a four-hit shutout of top-seeded Fabius-Pompey, as Beaver River captured the Section 3 Class C-2 baseball title.

But when coach Matt Olmstead asked if Tooker could go again, this time against powerful Pulaski on just two days' rest in the overall Class C final, Tooker never hesitated. "Give me the ball,'' he told Olmstead. Tooker gutted out a complete-game victory that sent the Beavers to their first appearance in the state playoffs.

"Dustin showed all season that he is a big player in the clutch, both pitching and hitting,'' said Olmstead.

After an outstanding season on the mound and at the plate, Tooker is an easy choice as the Times 2008 Frontier League Most Valuable Player.

His final numbers were outstanding. During the Frontier League regular season, Tooker went 7-1 with a 0.63 ERA in 44 innings of work, striking out 76 batters. He also batted .509 (27-for-53) with 13 extra-base hits (including three home runs), drove in 31 runs and scored 26.

Overall, Tooker finished 10-2 on the mound with a 0.68 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 72 innings of work to help Beaver River capture its first sectional baseball crown in 22 years.

His final batting average was .461 (35-for-76), he drove in 38 runs, scored 28 and had six triples.

"A spectacular season,'' Tooker said. "And it was so much fun. This team was so loose that even when things didn't go well, no one ever hung their head. I think that's why we responded in tough situations because we always found a way to release the pressure.''

Aside from his superb pitching during the sectionals, Tooker also delivered one of the biggest blows. He tied the game against West Canada Valley in the C-2 semifinals with a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Beavers scored seven runs to keep their season alive.

"Dustin is very intimidating,'' said Olmstead. "I noticed many teams were on their heels when we played them in large part because of his presence on the field.''

A solid 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Tooker has powerful legs and extremely strong hands that enable him to generate amazing bat speed.

"He broke open so many games for us with an extra-base hit,'' said Olmstead.

Tooker said playing fast-pitch softball during the summer has helped him "tighten his swing and get through the ball quicker.''

On the mound, Tooker was overpowering, mixing in a lively fastball with a curveball he could throw for a strike in almost any count.

Against Pulaski, with his arm weary, Tooker threw predominantly breaking stuff to keep the batters off balance.

Tooker also recorded the ultimate for a pitcher, a perfect game against Copenhagen during the spring break. He struck out 15 during his first varsity no-hitter.

"My father told me before the season that my one big goal was to throw a no-hitter,'' said Tooker. "I spent all day (before that game) thinking about that. By the third or fourth inning, I knew I could do it.''

Said Olmstead: "Dustin is such an intense kid, I tried to keep him focused on not overswinging or overthrowing. But he has all the tools you would ask for in a dominant baseball player — arm strength, arm accuracy, hitting power, contact ability and running speed."

Tooker also developed into a true leader, along with seniors Marcus Roggie and Jared Martin. "He has a great sense of humor and loves the game of baseball,'' Olmstead. "And he led by example with his tremendous work ethic.''

Tooker will play baseball at Jefferson Community College next year. He would eventually like to teach physical education and coach.