SPANISH FORK – Bailey Lee’s dramatic 3-run home run in an elimination game against Bear River propelled the Thunder to their first ever appearance in the 4A state softball championship.
“I was floating around the bases,” Lee told St. George News. “That was one of the best feelings I’ve had.”
Lee added that before she walked to the plate in the dramatic bottom half of the third inning Thursday afternoon, her dad told her to swing at the first pitch.
“I was locked in, ready to go and that first pitch was right down the middle and I took it back where it was pitched,” Lee said.
Lee’s heroics turned a day around that had previously gone all bad for the Thunder. Bear River, defending 4A state champs and holder of a record 11 state titles in the sport, forced the “if necessary” game after beating Desert Hills 6-3 earlier Thursday in Spanish Fork.
That contest ended when Lee was thrown out at the plate on the last play, sending momentum solidly to the Bear River dugout.
Bears pitcher Kate Wilson dominated the first game and had the Thunder on the ropes in Game 2, holding firm to an early 2-0 lead.
Then Lulu West drew a two-out walk to key the Desert Hills rally. Courtesy runner Sienna Foster stole second and moved to third on Riley Greene’s bunt.
That set the stage for Lee, who crushed Wilson’s first offering well over the right-centerfield wall to give the Thunder their first lead of the day, 3-2.
Jayla Ybright hit an RBI single for Desert Hills two innings later, upping the Thunder lead to 4-2.
That proved to be the winning run after Bear River pushed across a run in the top of the sixth. Desert Hills shut the door in the seventh and won, 4-3.
The win secured a spot in Friday’s first game of the 4A championship against No. 1 Ridgeline.
“If you’ve never been there, getting there is the hardest part,” Desert Hills coach Heidi Taylor said. “Bear River had that advantage because it’s a tradition there and they kind of know how to do it. And so for us, we had to figure that out.”
West, the Thunder’s ace sophomore pitcher, battled through two long contests over the course of the day. She struck out six Bears in each game.
“It feels super awesome. Desert Hills has never been in this position before,” West said. “I owe it all to my teammates, they worked so hard and they really backed me up the whole time.”
Ridgeline and Desert Hills play Friday on the campus of Brigham Young University at noon. Game 2 is Saturday at BYU at 1 p.m.
Cedar finishes strong
Ridgeline earned its berth in the championship after a 10-0 elimination win Thursday against Cedar.
“All around, their girls are just ready to play,” Cedar coach Sara Park said about the Riverhawks. “You can tell that they play together and they want it. They can do everything.”
The Reds earned a rematch with Ridgeline after defeating Region 9 rival Hurricane Thursday morning in an elimination game.
Cedar rallied with four runs in the sixth inning to knock out the Tigers, 5-1.
“It was fun. We came out slow but they ended up turning it on and that was all we really needed,” Park said.
Cedar finished the Region 9 season with a strong second-place showing at 9-3. The Tigers finished 21-9 overall.
“This team is unbelievable to me,” Park said. “We don’t spend as much time as other teams do together, so it’s really fun to see how well they came out. It’s fun to see how strong they all are together. It’s fun to see the camaraderie.”
Cedar ace Sadie Parson pitched both games Thursday.
“She’s unstoppable. She always wants the ball in her hands. She’s a great teammate,” Park said. “She’s just one of those girls that you want out there. She does the extra stuff every day.”
Photo Gallery
Cedar and Hurricane in a play at first during the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Cedar batter Mya Bishoff is safe at first against Hurricane in the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Cedar pitcher Sadie Parson delivers against Ridgeline in the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish, Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Desert Hills infielder Campbell Tate makes the put-out at first against Bear River in the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Desert Hills pitcher Lulu West (right) works against Bear River in the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Desert Hills batter Riley Greene takes a ball from Bear River in the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Desert Hills batter Bailey Lee rounds first safely against Bear River in the 4A state softball playoffs, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 16, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.