High school softball: Riverton gets statement win over Herriman

Riverton couldn’t have started its biggest game of the season on a much worse foot.

The Silverwolves hosted top-ranked Region 2 foe Herriman on Tuesday, and it had big stakes — a loss would completely shut them out of a region championship.

On the first at-bat of the game, Riverton gave up a home run.

However, with as much championship experience the Silverwolves have, that could hardly rattle them. Instead, Riverton turned around and dominated the remainder of the game for a 15-2 mercy rule victory.

“I feel like we couldn’t have asked them to respond any better,” said Riverton coach Whitley Haimin. “Softball, it’s a seven-inning game. It’s a long game. If someone hits a home run off of us, it’s not the end of the world.

“That’s what I love about this team. We could be down in a game, and you wouldn’t be able to tell because of their composure.”

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Riverton couldn’t be stopped all afternoon.

It started with a quick rally in the first inning that got the bases loaded with no outs. Then Peyton Sanchez hit a single to get two runners home, and it just kept snowballing from there.

Riverton scored four runs in the first inning, three in the second, and eight in the fourth. And nearly everyone for the Silverwolves got in on the action.

They totaled 15 base hits, with seven players recording at least one RBI on the game. But nobody batted better than Riverton sophomore Grace Leary.

Leary batted a perfect 1.000 with three singles, one homerun, and led with three RBIs.

As Leary stepped up to bat, she kept thinking about when they last met in March. In that game, Herriman rolled past Riverton by allowing just one total run.

On Tuesday, Riverton hit .600 as a team, with Londyn Rentmeister, Kenzie Anderson and Maggie Hamblin all also hitting 1.000.

“We were really mad that we lost the first time, so I think when we got to bat, our whole team just knew we were going to go hit and just come out really strong,” Leary said.

“We’re feeling really confident, especially now after this game. I think we just started hitting really well. Hopefully, we keep it up.”

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Riverton continued to dominate.

Through five innings, Riverton’s defense recorded three up, three down in three of them. The only two hits Herriman had all game were two home runs from Jaylee Hansen.

Lexi Huntley earned the win on the mound for Riverton and ended with four strikeouts.

“Obviously, I’m biased, but I think we’re the best defensive team in the state,” Haimin said. “I have to give my props to Lexi. She pitched a (great) game.

“She did a really great job at pitching her outs. I think she had two hits, and those were real solos. If we’re going to give up a home run, let it be solo as long as we execute with our bats. Proud of our defense for sure.”

The win ties Riverton and Herriman for the top of Region 2 at a 9-2 record. Each team has only a single region game left.