By Greg James |  [email protected]

Despite several injuries and a rough beginning to the season, the Taylorsville High softball team rebounded and finished second in Region 3.

“I feel really good about this season,” Taylorsville head coach Jace Hymas said. “It has been tough at times missing some of our key players, but they rebounded and have put it all together. I think the injuries and missing those players is why we started out so rough.” 

The Warriors started the season 1-7 and closed it out 9-1. Hospital visits, injuries and a critical accident affected the team throughout the start of the season. 

Their only win in their first eight games was in the Bullhead City Tournament to Foothill, Nevada. Their first region victory was a 16-8 victory over West Jordan. In that game, Cierra Saenger went 2 for 3 with a home run. 

Junior Reagan Walk pitched her way to an 8-5 overall record and has pitched in 16 games for the Warriors. 

“She (Walk) gets better every single game,” Hymas said. “She has done a good job of shutting the other teams down. We were able to beat Herriman 22-9 with her pitching.” 

The Warriors finished behind Herriman in Region 3 in second place. Taylorsville was 5-3 in its region games and finished 10-8 overall. The Warriors split games with Herriman and swept Copper Hills but lost its two games to Riverton. 

“Our region is as tough as it looks,” Hymas said. “Anyone of us can beat anybody. I feel sorry for any team that meets up with us. We have played other teams from regions, and we compete.”

Junior Maddison Ford and seniors Savanna Montoya and Mackenzie (Mac) Richins led the team with four home runs apiece. 

“We have a really good lineup,” Hymas said. “Our philosophy is if we can hit, we can beat anybody.”

Richins had a .577 batting average. She collected 30 hits, 27 runs batted in and had 11 doubles.

“For us to do well at state, we need Reagan to pitch like she has, and we need to bring our bats every day,” Hymas said. “I am super impressed with how they have handled adversity this season. Maddie was in a boot for the first five games, and her first game back she suffered a crushing injury to her hand. All the drama just made us better.”

The state softball tournament began May 15. The Warriors defeated Granger 12-0 in their first game. They lost to Granger 5-4 March 21, a game in which  they trailed 5-2 headed into the final inning. Their final inning comeback fell short.

The tournament finals were May 24 at Valley Softball Complex.