TAYLORSVILLE — This year's Taylorsville softball team had much of the same talent many Warriors squads have had over the years, but it also had one key ingredient that helped it earn the school's first 5A title in 10 years.
Team members had the kind of chemistry that helped them put the needs of the team ahead of their own. It allowed them to focus, even if their games weren't perfect.
"We had to come from behind in every game," said Warrior head coach Rich Kaelin. "When I looked back at the years we didn't win, sometimes it was just getting those lucky breaks and being able to take advantage of them that was the difference."
The Warriors were ranked third going into the state tournament, where they scored more than 40 runs and rallied from behind in every victory, including their 5A title win over Spanish Fork.
"We got some breaks, but we worked hard and put ourselves in a position to capitalize," he said. "The team had such good chemistry and was so focused, and that's why I think we were able to take advantage of those breaks."
The team's two seniors, pitcher Michelle Hill and leftfielder Brooke Roberts, and junior catcher Cyd Allen were voted the team's captains.
"They were great captains, great leaders," Kaelin said.
Hill threw most of the team's region games but had to watch from the dugout as junior Ashley Moore pitched the team to the state title.
"That shows you what kind of a kid she is," Kaelin said. "She was so mentally strong, but she wanted what was best for the team always. ... She lost her voice cheering in the state game. She was a pitching coach on the sideline when she wasn't in the game."
Roberts came into her senior season not knowing how much she'd play.
"I have so much respect for her," he said. "She improved every game, and she was able to give us a clutch hit whenever we needed it. She never complains, worked her butt off and held onto that No. 3 batting position and did a great job. Her calm, even demeanor helped the team as well."
And then there was Allen.
The junior was simply fantastic in the tournament, hitting five home runs and guiding two underclassmen pitchers from her position behind the plate. Allen returns next season, along with junior shortstop Tia Palauni, sophomore centerfielder Brita Noble, junior right fielder Marqi Gray, and junior pitcher Moore. Sophomore Heather Gardner, Nicole Huntsman and Sami Parry are also key returning contributors on a squad that boasted one of the deepest lineups in the state.
The Warriors will have their work cut out for them next year as Region 3 promises to be more competitive with every team making major improvements. It will make the region race more critical that only three teams will earn state tournament berths next season.
Jordan and Alta tied for second place in Region 2 with the Beetdiggers winning the coin toss for the No. 2 seed in the 5A tournament.
Jordan was a team loaded with talented seniors. First baseman Dani Stoker, catcher Kayla Bruner, infielder Jamie St. Onge, centerfielder Cami Jones, second baseman Jamie Richardson, outfielder Allie Barr, third baseman Whitney miller, pitcher Kaitlynn Meek and shortstop Aubrey Jenson all graduate, leaving the Beetdiggers a little rebuilding to do next year.
Bree Koncar, a junior, leads the returning contributors next year.
Alta is in exactly the opposite position as they graduate just two seniors from the program — Jessica Beckstead, first base, and Jacquey Madruga, the team's catcher.
The Hawks will be tough next season as they return most of their key contributors, including Chrystal Collette, a junior infielder; Alex Bickmore, a sophomore outfielder; Jamie Burnside, a sophomore pitcher; and Meagan HoChing, a junior outfielder.
Brighton defeated Skyline in a tournament play-in game to earn a 5A tournament berth for the Bengals. The two teams tied in region play for the final spot. The Bengals met top-ranked Layton in the first round and then lost to Timpanogos in the second round.
The Bengals lose only three seniors so they should be more experienced after their success this season. Emily Larsen, catcher; Kaitlyn Faraone, third base; and Sonja Clark all graduate this spring.
Brighton returns players like pitcher Kyrstie Terry, a junior; shortstop Kayla Terry, a junior; first baseman McKenna Helm; second baseman Savanna Nielson, a sophomore; and centerfielder Sara Konery, a freshman.
Skyline loses six seniors who were key to the team's success this season. Pitcher Krystal Woertz; first base/pitcher Jessie Merchant, who was also an Academic All-State; infielder Brooke Mangum, infield/outfield, Gina Robinson; infield/outfield, Melissa Wyner; and shortstop/second base Kathryn Butler will all be missed for both their leadership skills as well as their athletic ability.
The team returns some exciting talent in centerfielder Katie Kaelin, a junior; catcher Ally Dahlstrom, a sophomore; shortstop/second Kim Crnkovich, a sophomore; and second baseman Hadley Hewlett, a sophomore.
Hillcrest has struggled, but part of that is that head coach John Florez has been serving in Iraq. He returned this season and that should bring some leadership and stability to the Huskies, who have some solid athletes returning next season.
TAYLORSVILLE SOFTBALL
Record: 21-5
Region: 10-0
State: Won championship
Results:
March 10 Taylorsville 4, Brian, Texas 3
March 10 Deer Valley 3, Taylorsville 1
March 15 Bingham 6, Taylorsville 5
March 20 Taylorsville 5, Riverton 4
March 27 Sierra Vista 9, Taylorsville 8
March 27 El Medina 6, Taylorsville 3
March 27 Taylorsville 1, Ironwood 0
March 27 Taylorsville 9, Copper Hills 4
March 29 Taylorsville 12, Hillcrest 0
April 03 Taylorsville 5, Jordan 3
April 10 Taylorsville 9, Grantsville 4
April 12 Taylorsville 15, Alta 5
April 13 Taylorsville 12, Lone Peak 1
April 17 Taylorsville 12, Skyline 3
April 18 Taylorsville at Kearns ... ppd.
April 19 Taylorsville 12, Brighton 0
April 24 Taylorsville 10, Hillcrest 1
April 26 Taylorsville 5, Jordan 3
May 01 Taylorsville 15, Alta 5
May 07 Taylorsville 7, Skyline 1
May 08 Taylorsville 11, Brighton 0
May 11 Murray 9, Taylorsville 5
5A FIRST ROUND
May 15 Taylorsville 3, Viewmont 2
5A QUARTERFINAL
May 17 Taylorsville 2, Hunter 1
5A SEMIFINAL
May 22 Taylorsville 14, Riverton 8
5A CONSOLATION
May 23 Taylorsville 16, Bingham 7
5A CHAMPIONSHIP
May 24 Taylorsville 10, Spanish Fork 6
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com