After years of uncertainty in its girls softball program, the Hunter girls and coach Kyle Magnusson would like the competition to know, "We've got a shot."
In a 7-2 defeat yesterday of Weber in the 5A first round, things may be looking better.
Hunter entered the game with an impressive 16-6 overall record, 7-3 in Region 3, and the pressure of winning its first ever playoff game on its new field this year. Last year the Wolverines finished fifth in 5A and are looking to better that mark this year.
"If we play well, we can win," Magnusson said after the contest.
"We are definitely looking to improve after last year."
Hunter hurler Keisha Elizondo took the mound against Weber and was impressive in the early innings.
"She's had some problems with her wrist that have got her down. But when she's on, she's really good; she had a good game today, " Magnusson said about his pitcher.
Fanning Weber batters early on, Elizondo kept pace for Hunter and kept the game scoreless as the offense looked for openings to capitalize on.
In the third inning Weber gave Hunter quite a few opportunities.
Walking several batters early and giving up a double in the third, Hunter pounced on Weber and scored three straight runs on three consecutive passed balls. Hunter finished the inning with seven runs and an insurmountable lead on Weber.
"We kept the pressure on in that inning, and they kind of threw the ball around." Magnusson said after the game.
Weber notched two runs in the top of the sixth, but it wasn't enough.
Hunter held on to win and will face the winner of Davis vs. Alta in the second round.
In other 5A softball tournament games Tuesday:
JORDAN 8, KEARNS 1: Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Beetdiggers exploded for eight runs off eight hits to easily defeat Kearns. Jordan's Shawnee LePrey drove in two RBIs off two hits in the decisive fifth. Belinda Cardenas struck out 11 to earn the win.
FREMONT 8, RIVERTON 0:Haley Schumers recorded her 10th shutout of the season as Fremont rolled to victory. Fremont's Alicia Sessions led a balanced offensive attack, hitting 2-for-3 with one RBI.
ALTA 5, DAVIS 0:Corie Jensen threw a no-hitter as Alta beat the Darts in the 5A tournament. Jensen struck out 15 batters and allowed two walks.
COPPER HILLS 5, LAYTON 4: After Whitney Maglish's single scored a run to put Copper Hills ahead in the ninth, Jerrica Hohenschelt scored on a fielder's choice to ensure the Grizzlies made it past Layton in the 5A tournament.
TAYLORSVILLE 10, HILLCREST 2: Taylorsville's Diana Phillips earned the complete-game win, striking out six batters. Phillips also went 4-for-5 from the plate. Staci Hemingway had a two-run home run in the third inning and had four RBIs.
BINGHAM 13, CLEARFIELD 3:Somer Flores pitched four strong innings, allowing just three runs on three hits. Shandy VanOrden led Bingham from the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and one run scored. Amber Sacket went 2-for-2 with an RBI and three runs scored for the Miners.
SKYLINE 6, VIEWMONT 5:Haley Duckworth went 3-for-4 for Skyline as the Eagles rallied in the seventh inning, scoring four runs. In the losing effort, Shasta Tyteca had three hits to lead Viewmont.
E-mail: acole@desnews.com