ST. GEORGE — Desert Hills sophomore pitcher Lulu West, who helped lead the Thunder to a runner-up finish in the state tournament, has been named Region 9’s most valuable player, as selected by the region’s coaches.
West posted a season record of 24-6 with an ERA of 1.94. She recorded 185 strikeouts in 159 innings pitched.
“Lulu is just one of those girls who wants to be their best for themselves and for their teammates,” Desert Hills head coach Heidi Taylor told St. George News.
“Pitching is hard,” she added. “You really have to have control of your craft, and then also be incredibly mentally strong to be successful.”
Taylor said West came into her sophomore season with “little bit of a chip on her shoulder,” determined to improve on her successful freshman campaign.
After tying with Snow Canyon for a share of the region title last year, the Thunder won the championship outright this year, posting a perfect 12-0 record in Region 9 play.
“She had to push herself every day to be better,” Taylor added. “And the only way to do that was to just find that next level of competitive grind.”
West shone offensively as well, posting a .398 batting average and an on-base percentage of .478. She also tallied 39 total hits, including 14 extra-base hits, and drove in 26 RBIs.
“Lulu was also our leadoff batter,” Taylor said. “She set the table for us every game. And if we didn’t score a run in that first inning, it was pretty unusual.”
“Her mental toughness really helps her excel,” Taylor added. “That’s one part of the game that I think that she has over most players is that she is incredibly mentally strong.”
West was one of seven Thunder players receiving all-region honors, with three teammates joining her on the first team (Riley Green, Payten Benson and Bailey Lee); one on the second team (Hallee Heath); and two receiving honorable mention (JoJo Sparks and Jayla Ybright).
Remarkably, all seven girls are underclassmen, their coach noted.
“We were really well represented,” Taylor said. “Riley played amazing all year. Her confidence and her personality out on the field really helps her team. Peyton caught every pitch of every single game. I mean, she was phenomenal. Bailey hit the crap out of the ball all year long.
“Specifically, at state, she was hot and hit that key home run against Bear River,” Taylor said of Lee’s three-run dinger that helped the Thunder to a 4-3 win over the Bears in the semifinals on May 16.
Continued Taylor: “Hallee played a good role for us. She played a strong third base when Jayla got injured and moved back over to first base when we needed her. She was pretty versatile for us. Jayla was an awesome third baseman. Even though she missed half the season, she still got recognized because of her hitting and defense. JoJo was solid in center field for us all year and her hitting came in mid-season. Her batting really changed for her and it helped her gain confidence.”
“I’m just really so impressed by each girl every single day,” Taylor added. “They all bring something different to the table and they’re just a really fun team to coach.”
Following are Region 9’s all-region softball teams for the 2024 season:
First team all-region
Lulu West, Desert Hills (MVP); Riley Green, Desert Hills; Payten Benson, Desert Hills; Bailey Lee, Desert Hills; Avery Thorkelson, Snow Canyon; Chandler Beck, Snow Canyon; Sadie Parson, Cedar; Paisley Lantz, Crimson Cliffs; McKinley Wright, Hurricane; and Abby Stout, Hurricane.
Second team all-region
Hallee Heath, Desert Hills; Alyssa Staheli, Snow Canyon, Marley Geddes, Cedar; Gracie Stucki, Crimson Cliffs; Sophie Staheli, Crimson Cliffs; Aniston Hutchins, Hurricane; Morgan Staheli, Dixie; Jenevive Evans, Pine View; and Kylie Carpenter, Pine View.
Honorable mention
JoJo Sparks, Desert Hills; Jayla Ybright, Desert Hills; Tycie Fuller, Snow Canyon; Meah Stafford, Snow Canyon; Maycee Smith, Snow Canyon; Shaylee Johnson, Cedar, Hunter Blackner, Cedar; Mya Bishoff, Cedar; Faith Fuller, Hurricane; and Eliza Kesterson, Dixie.
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