North Sanpete pitcher Kaecee Johnson (13) delivers a pitch to a Logan batter during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Top-seeded Grantsville brought its lethal defense, which it found on day one of the 3A tournament, against No. 3 Union in the semifinals.
The Cowboys capped off Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Logan, and then qualified for yet another championship series with an 11-1 win over the Cougars on Wednesday.
“The defense showed up again two days in a row,” said Grantsville coach Tony Cloward. “Our defense was great behind our pitcher. Our pitcher threw well again, but this time the addition was the sticks. Sticks finally came a little sooner, a little more often.”
The hits were certainly going Grantsville’s way. The Cowboys totaled 10 base hits and had six players record at least one RBI.
The standout on both sides of the ball was Grantsville’s Hayden Bytheway. Bytheway earned the win on the mound with three strikeouts and had a team-high four RBIs.
She went 3-for-4 at the plate, with a double and a home run. It was a big improvement for Grantsville after it struggled to bring in the runs on Tuesday.
“I think it’s just reps,” Cloward said. “I think the more at-bats that we get, the better we’re going to see those bats that we’re typically used to seeing. I just think the more bats, the better we’re going to be at the plate.”
Grantsville has a chance to get its fourth consecutive state title and eighth title in a decade in Thursday’s championship game at BYU.
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North Sanpete’s McKenzie Madsen (19) slaps hands with head coach Landon Bailey as she celebrates her run against Logan to tie the game 5-5 in the fifth inning during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville first baseman Brynlee Anderson (1) smiles as she looks to the bench after beating the tag by Union second baseman Drew Kesler (2) during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville infielder Haizlee Hall (5) throws the ball after fielding it during a game against Union in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Union outfielder Jenna Woodland (16) makes a catch for an out against Grantsville during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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North Sanpete’s McKenzie Madsen (19) celebrates her run against Logan to tie the game 5-5 in the fifth inning during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville infielder Sadee Castagno (14) cheers after her team defeated Union 11-1 in six innings during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Logan infielder Cambree Cooper (00) makes a catch for an out against North Sanpete during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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North Sanpete head coach Landon Bailey talks with his players while a timeout is called during a game against Logan in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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North Sanpete pitcher Kaecee Johnson (13) delivers a pitch to a Logan batter during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville pitcher Hayden Bytheway (18) delivers a pitch to a Union batter during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Union head coach Evah Taylor calls out to her players during a game against Grantsville in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Union pitcher Haylee Moynier (1) celebrates her solo home run against Grantsville during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville pitcher Payten Bytheway (24) connects with the ball during a game against Union in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville outfielder Addison Durfee (6) watches as a hit from Union pitcher Haylee Moynier (1) goes into the crowd for a home run during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville head coach Tony Cloward looks to the field as his team plays Union during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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North Sanpete’s McKenzie Madsen (19) beats the tag by Logan catcher Miley Allen (15) to score a run and tie the game 5-5 in the fifth inning during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Union outfielder Teddy Oleen (6) makes a catch for an out against Grantsville during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Union third baseman Mollee Rasmussen (9) fields a ground ball during a game against Grantsville in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville infielder Kamry Allen (3) celebrates her catch to end the inning against Union with fellow infielder Haizlee Hall (5) during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville infielder Eden Ressel (13) looks to fellow infielder Kamry Allen (3) after Ressel caught a pop-fly ball for an out against Union during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Grantsville players celebrate a run from outfielder Alybree Rogers (8) during a game against Union in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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North Sanpete’s Mylee Cook (23) made a catch and then tossed the ball to Aydree Jacobson, left, at second base for a double play against Logan during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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North Sanpete’s McKenzie Madsen (19) celebrates her run against Logan to tie the game 5-5 in the fifth inning during a game in the semifinals of the 3A softball state tournament, held at the Spanish Fork Sports Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
It was a strange game that was delayed by lightning, but in the end, No. 2 North Sanpete rallied for an 11-run fourth inning to beat No. 3 Union 15-0 and advance to the 3A championship series, where they’ll meet Grantsville.
It started literally perfectly for North Sanpete after lead hitter Makinley Burnside hit a home run on the very first pitch of the game.
All evening, the Hawks were dominant at the plate, but none were as strong as Kaecee Johnson. Johnson tallied five RBIs while hitting three of four.
The hitting hit its peak after the 30-minute lightning delay in the fourth inning. Despite the break, the Hawks went off for 11 runs to get the 15-0 mercy rule win.
As a team, North Sanpete hit .591.
“I said that the break was either going to be a blessing or a curse, and it was a blessing,” said North Sanpete coach Landon Bailey. “We hit the ball. The first pitch of the game, my lead-off girl hit a home run. That just kind of set the stage for the rest of it. I’m super proud of them.”
It was a cathartic win for North Sanpete after losing to Union Tuesday in bracket play. Now, the Hawks have a shot against Grantsville in the 3A championship series.
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“Union’s amazing,” Bailey said. “It was just about energy. I told them if they brought the energy every day, and they believed, that they could do it.”
Cambree Cooper was dominant from the mound, striking out eight as No. 4 Logan won 13-6 against Manti. The Grizzlies advanced to face North Sanpete. Despite trailing 6-5 after two innings, Logan responded with runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth to secure the win. Miley Allen contributed to Logan’s offense by going 1 for 3 with three RBIs.
No. 2 North Sanpete dominated Emery and advanced in the 3A tournament with a 16-1 mercy rule win. The Hawks surged in the second inning with seven runs and added four more in the third and five in the fourth. Kaecee Johnson was a standout with a home run and four RBIs, while Aydree Jacobson contributed with two doubles and two RBIs.
No. 2 North Sanpete defeated Logan 9-5 and advanced to the 3A semis. After tying the game at 1-1 in the first inning, North Sanpete found itself behind following three runs by Logan in the third inning. The Hawks responded by scoring four runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to secure their victory. Kaecee Johnson led the Hawks with two RBIs and clocked four strikeouts as a pitcher.
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