ST. GEORGE — Region 10’s all-region softball teams are loaded with talent, and leading them is Snow Canyon junior pitcher Avery Thorkelson, who recently was named MVP.
“There are a lot of great softball players in Region 10, but Avery is very deserving of winning region MVP,” Avery’s mother and head coach Markay Thorkelson told St. George News. “She’s a great athlete and has worked really hard to help her team have success both offensively and with her pitching.”
Avery follows in the footsteps of older sister Jenna, who won the Region 10 MVP crown last year.
“It was good to see how she rose to the occasion as she finally got her chance to perform in the circle, waiting patiently behind other great Snow Canyon pitchers, including her sister,” Coach Thorkelson said.
Snow Canyon went 21-11 this year, including 11-1 in Region 10 play, finishing in a tie with Desert Hills for the region championship.
Avery Thorkelson’s season pitching record was 17-6, with a 3.01 earned-run average. She struck out a total of 218 batters in 121 innings pitched while holding her opponents to a .176 batting average.
Avery Thorkelson was an offensive force as well, batting .366, driving in 35 runs (second in region) and scoring 35 runs (third in region). She also belted seven home runs, fifth most in Region 10.
The Warriors went 3-2 in the state playoffs, defeating Pine View twice and Crimson Cliffs once before falling to Ridgeline 2-0 in bracket play on May 17, then dropping an elimination game against Mountain Crest 6-4 the following day.
Joining Avery Thorkelson on the all-region first team are teammates Kylie Hardy and Emma Daniel, while fellow Warriors Kennadi Gates and Alyssa Staheli both made second team and Meah Stafford received honorable mention.
“We had great performances by all of our players, but seniors Emma Daniel and Kylie Hardy were huge, getting the big hits and bringing in a ton of runs,” Coach Thorkelson added. “They were also big for us defensively and as leaders on the field.
“Sophomore Alyssa Staheli was outstanding as well, batting .475 and hitting five home runs and is always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. Kennadi Gates and Meah Stafford were also great this year and we wouldn’t have achieved what we did without them,” she added.
Coach Thorkelson said she’s already looking forward to next year.
“As a team, we were super happy with winning another region championship and look forward to taking another crack at state next year,” she said. “With a lot of our team coming back, we are excited to see what these girls can do.”
Following are the all-region honorees, as selected by the Region 10 coaches:
Region 10 all-region softball teams 2023
MVP
Avery Thorkelson, Snow Canyon.
First team
- Lulu West, Desert Hills.
- Riley Greene, Desert Hills.
- Haylee Campbell, Cedar.
- Payten Benson, Desert Hills.
- Kylie Hardy, Snow Canyon.
- Emma Daniel, Snow Canyon.
- Paisley Lantz, Crimson Cliffs.
- McKenna Cahoon, Crimson Cliffs.
- Jamelle Mullins, Dixie.
Second team
- McKinlee Wright, Hurricane.
- Saidey Spencer, Desert Hills.
- Alyssa Staheli, Snow Canyon.
- Jenelle Jones, Desert Hills.
- Lexus Ludlow, Cedar.
- Aisey Gargano, Desert Hills.
- Abbey Morris, Crimson Cliffs.
- Sadie Parson, Cedar.
- Kennadi Gates, Snow Canyon.
Honorable mention
- Faith Fuller, Hurricane.
- Riley Askland, Crimson Cliffs.
- Ragan Johnson, Pine View.
- Aniston Hutchings, Hurricane.
- Marley Geddes, Cedar.
- Sophie Staheli, Crimson Cliffs.
- Cambria Gibson, Pine View.
- Meah Stafford, Snow Canyon.
- Lila Fitzgerald, Dixie.
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