Riverton slugger and Utah signee Maggie Hamblin named Deseret News 2026 Ms. Softball

Every time Riverton’s Maggie Hamblin steps to the plate, she forces opposing coaches to make a tough decision. Do you intentionally walk her, or do you take your chances at her ruining your day?

Herriman seemingly chose wrong twice in the 6A championship game with the Silverwolves, and it cost them dearly.

The Mustangs were hot to start and got out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Herriman had all the momentum, and Riverton desperately needed something to go its way.

Riverton got exactly what it needed as Hamblin stepped up at her first at-bat with the bases loaded and delivered a grand slam. But she wasn’t done there.

The very next time she was up to bat, she hit another one far beyond BYU’s 220-foot fence for two more runs.

With two home runs and six RBI in just two at-bats, Herriman had no choice but to intentionally walk Hamblin the rest of the game. But the damage was already done, and those six runs were huge in a championship game that Riverton won by only one run.

“She’s so clutch,” said Riverton coach Whitley Haimin. “She has the ability to shoot it in the gap or hit it over, and she’s just so clutch, especially in those big situations.

“I think she’s so level-headed. She’s always the same, whether it’s like a game and we’re up by 15 runs or it’s the state championship series, like she’s just herself.”

Hamblin ends her storied high school career not only as a three-time state champion, but also third in all-time career home runs and fourth in all-time career RBI. She tallied 12 home runs and 61 RBI this season.

Adding in a .602 batting average, Hamblin became one of the top hitters the state has seen. Her uncanny ability with a bat ultimately earned her the 2026 Deseret News Ms. Softball award, the 18th in the history of the award.

Though her hitting ability ultimately set her apart, her growth into a leadership role was also a difference maker for Riverton. Hamblin is a naturally quiet person and doesn’t often want to take credit.

“I think what I love most about Maggie is that she’s just so very humble,” Haimin said. “For example, she’s known that she’s Ms. Softball, and I’m fortunate enough to coach her in club ball. In our first practice getting together, we asked, ‘Hey, what’s some good stuff that’s happening?’ And she didn’t say it.

“I was like, ‘By the way, if you didn’t know, Maggie’s Ms. Softball.’ I feel like that just explains who Maggie is.”

However, Hamblin was a much more vocal leader when Riverton needed it. She said she just took the increased energy she got from the sport and ran with it.

“I am a reserved, quiet person,” Hamblin said. “Becoming a senior, I was like, ‘I really need to like step up a little bit more.’ When my teammates get a hit, I tried to be more hyped for them. So, just being a bigger leader has helped me, my game and just being a better teammate.”

Hamblin’s growth didn’t only lead to a third-consecutive championship for Riverton, but it also helped her fulfill a lifelong dream of playing for the Utes.

She grew up watching her cousin and Murray alum Maddy Hudson play for Utah and longtime head coach Amy Hogue. Hamblin has wanted that for herself ever since.

Photo Gallery: 1 of 23

1 of 23

Photo Gallery: 2 of 23

2 of 23

Photo Gallery: 3 of 23

3 of 23

Photo Gallery: 4 of 23

4 of 23

Photo Gallery: 5 of 23

5 of 23

Photo Gallery: 6 of 23

6 of 23

Photo Gallery: 7 of 23

7 of 23

Photo Gallery: 8 of 23

8 of 23

Photo Gallery: 9 of 23

9 of 23

Photo Gallery: 10 of 23

10 of 23

Photo Gallery: 11 of 23

11 of 23

Photo Gallery: 12 of 23

12 of 23

Photo Gallery: 13 of 23

13 of 23

Photo Gallery: 14 of 23

14 of 23

Photo Gallery: 15 of 23

15 of 23

Photo Gallery: 16 of 23

16 of 23

Photo Gallery: 17 of 23

17 of 23

Photo Gallery: 18 of 23

18 of 23

Photo Gallery: 19 of 23

19 of 23

Photo Gallery: 20 of 23

20 of 23

Photo Gallery: 21 of 23

21 of 23

Photo Gallery: 22 of 23

22 of 23

Photo Gallery: 23 of 23

23 of 23

“Growing up, I went to her games, and she just helped me really enjoy softball,” Hamblin said. “When I went up there, I liked the atmosphere of it, and I really wanted to go to Utah because of her.”

A call from Hogue made it all a reality.

Hamblin was camping with very little cell service the day that universities were allowed to contact recruits. Hogue tried calling Hamblin to talk about her playing for Utah, but the cell service made it difficult for the call to connect.

So, she and her dad drove up the mountain late that night to connect with Hogue.

“When Coach A called me, I was camping, so I was like, ‘Oh, I need service, I need service,’” Hamblin said. “When she texted me, I was super happy because I wanted to go there. When she texted me, I was like, ‘This is where I want to go.’”

Hamblin held offers from other schools, but after touring Utah’s facilities, her choice was made clear.

“Going to the actual recruiting thing, where they take you around, introduce you to the weight room, the facilities, everything in general,” said Scott Hamblin, Maggie Hamblin’s father. “When she went out of there, and they made the offer, she’s like, ‘Dad, I’m taking it.’

“I said, ‘Sit back. You have other people who are interested.’ But she was firm and said, ‘This is where I want to go. It’s not a question.’”

Maggie Hamblin fulfilled her full-circle moment in November and signed with Utah.

Past Deseret News Ms. Softball winners

• 2025 — Anne Wallace, Ridgeline
• 2024 — Brielle Gardiner, Ridgeline
• 2023 — Avery Sapp, Spanish Fork
• 2022 — Kaysen Korth, Riverton
• 2021 — Chloe Borges, Riverton
• 2019 — Huntyr Ava, West
• 2018 — Kapri Toone, Bear River
• 2017 — Cambrie Hazel, Spanish Fork
• 2016 — Breah Ava, West
• 2015 — Kimbri Herring, Stansbury
• 2014 — Janessa Bassett, Stansbury
• 2013 — Tatiana Su’e Su’e, San Juan
• 2012 — Jordan Theurer, Bear River
• 2011 — MaCauley Flint, Roy
• 2010 — Tori Almond, Bingham
• 2009 — Shelbi Tyteca, Viewmont
• 2008 — Tori Almond, Bingham