Despite the challenges and adversity they encountered throughout the season, the 2026 Deseret News Softball Players of the Year were instrumental in their teams’ achievements. Whether it was a clutch hit, a dominant performance in the circle, or a momentum-shifting defensive play, these athletes consistently stepped up and delivered from the first pitch to the final out.
Here’s a look at the 2026 Deseret News softball Players of the Year.
6A Player of the Year
Kennedy Jennings, Copper Hills, P, Sr.
Copper Hills had an incredibly successful softball season this past year, with senior pitcher Kennedy Jennings the driving force.
One of the best pitchers in the state, Jennings had 265 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched. Not only that, Jennings also had an ERA under 1 at 0.91 and held opposing batters to just a 1.28 batting average. On the season, Jennings finished with a record of 16-4 and proved game in and game out why she was relied upon so heavily.
Jennings’ ability to overpower hitters, have command of multiple pitches, and rise to the occasion in the biggest moments made her one of the most feared pitchers in Utah.
But it is not only the production on the diamond that makes Jennings stand out. It is her desire to always improve and be a stellar teammate that impressed her coaches the most.
“Beyond the statistics and awards, Kennedy’s greatest strengths may be her accountability and her commitment to her teammates. She held herself to a high standard every day, never making excuses and always taking ownership of her performance,” said Copper Hills coach Will Yazzie. “She was the type of teammate every coach hopes to have — supportive, dependable, selfless, and invested in the success of those around her.”
Yazzie has no doubt that Jennings will have a lasting impact on the program not only this year but for many years down the road.
“Her discipline, accountability, work ethic, leadership and ability to be the best teammate possible have left a lasting legacy at Copper Hills and provided a blueprint for future Grizzlies to follow.”
5A Player of the Year
Kennadie Blackmer, Box Elder, P/IF, Jr.
While Box Elder may have fallen to Salem Hills in the 5A championship series, there are still an incredible amount of positives that happened during the 2025-26 seasons. One big positive was the consistent overall play of junior Kennadie Blackmer.
Blackmer may not be the most vocal player on the field, but according to her coach, she is one of the hardest-working individuals you may ever come across.
“Kennadie is a quiet leader that leads with example and work ethic. She is the hardest-working player I have ever had and could be considered a field rat for as much time as she spends there. KJ is valuable to our team both as a defensive player, always pitching her heart out, or holding down first base,” said Box Elder coach Brian Merrill.
When on the mound this season, Blackmer finished with a 14-3 record, which included with 220 strikeouts. Runs were hard to come by for the opposition when Blackmer was called upon to pitch as she had just a 1.35 ERA.
All of her hard work paid off not only in the field but at the plate as well.
For the season, Blackmer had a strong .554 batting average and showed plenty of power as well with 26 homers and driving in 68 runs.
“She also is a beast at the plate, leading the state in home runs and the 5A in RBIs. She would have had more if people had pitched to her at the end of the season. KJ is a competitor that finds a way to learn and be better from every softball experience,” said Merrill.
4A Player of the Year
Lulu West, Desert Hills, P/2B, Sr.
Desert Hills’ Lulu West was filling up the stat sheet game in and game out during their 2025-2026 championship season.
For the season, West had a .421 batting average to go along with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. She consistently delivered in key moments, providing both power and production at the plate, while helping lead her team to a 4A state championship.
“Lulu is the kind of teammate every coach hopes to have. She genuinely wants the best for her friends and teammates and is always willing to do whatever the team needs to be successful,” said Desert Hills coach Heidi Taylor. “She may be small in stature, but she is incredibly fierce, competitive, and has one of the strongest work ethics of any player I have coached.”
As the leadoff hitter, ace pitcher and second baseman when she wasn’t in the circle, West contributed in every aspect of the game and served as a leader for her team both on and off the field.
“Lulu leaves Desert Hills with an incredible legacy, including the Utah state record of 83 career pitching wins, but what I’ll remember most is the example she set through her leadership, determination, and love for her teammates.”
3A Player of the Year
Hayden Bytheway, Grantsville, P/1B, Sr.
Senior Hayden Bytheway did it all for Grantsville. Not only was she its ace pitcher all season with a 12-2 record and 112 strikeouts in 74 innings pitched, she also proved a reliable and consistent presence at the plate, providing leadership, timely hitting and steady production throughout the season.
“Hayden Bytheway is an outstanding softball player. Most people know about her is an elite pitcher. However, she is also an incredible hitter and fielder, leading our team in multiple statistical categories. She was also named a team captain from this past season,” said Grantsville coach Tony Cloward.
Offensively, Bytheway had seven home runs and 33 RBIs while posting a solid .400 batting average, consistently delivering in key situations and helping power Grantsville’s lineup throughout the season with her dependable production.
“I would put Hayden among the best softball players in the state of Utah the last two years. She puts in a lot of time outside of regular high school practice. She is constantly working on her softball craft.”
The Salt Lake Community College commit has left an impact on the Grantsville program that won’t be forgotten anytime soon, serving as a leader and key contributor to the team’s success throughout her outstanding career.
2A Player of the Year
Mylee Platt, Enterprise, P/1B, Sr.
A key player in its 2025-26 season and their state tournament run, Enterprise’s Mylee Platt was called upon early and often for coach Katye Jones and constantly delivered in key moments.
Platt pitched 126 innings and had a very respectable ERA of 3.21 with 108 strikeouts on the year.
“Mylee is a quiet leader who does an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work that often goes unseen by everyone except her catcher — who happens to be her little sister. This season, she truly learned to trust herself, her pitching coach, and her sister behind the plate,” said Jones.
It wasn’t until mid-April that Platt truly took her play to another level.
“By mid-April, everything clicked in the circle, and she became an absolutely unstoppable force. She came alive with her bat as well, serving as a powerful anchor in our cleanup spot as the team’s fourth hitter,” added Jones.
With the bat, Platt powered her way to eight home runs and 54 RBIs.
“Mylee’s leadership and drive to get better each and every game was a big key in our run for the state championship this year,” said Jones.
1A Player of the Year
Jaidyn McMullin, Milford, P/CF/SS, Jr.
Milford’s Jaidyn McMullin had a season to remember. McMullin has found herself pitching in many important games so far during her high school career, none more important than the 1A state championship game clincher against Altamont. McMullin came up clutch when it mattered most and pitched a no-hitter to clinch the 1A state title.
For the season, McMullin had a .583 batting average to go along with 38 runs batted in and 14 doubles.
Maybe more impressive was her play in the circle. When called upon to pitch, McMullin was able to get the job done practically every time out, finishing with a 10-3 record while striking out 86 batters on the season.
“Jaidyn was instrumental in our championship run for us. She came up clutch in batting situations all year long and led the team in all offensive categories. She also was big in the state tournament, pitching 20-plus innings, including a no-hitter against Altamont in the winner-take -all championship game and had a .600 batting average at the state tournament,” said Milford coach Tyler McMullin.
Coach McMullin was impressed all season long by the versatile play of Jaidyn and her willingness to do whatever was asked of her, regardless of her position in the field or where she was slotted to hit in the lineup.
“She can play anywhere on the field on defense and hit successfully in any part of the batting lineup. She’s very versatile and athletic.”