By Greg James | [email protected]

Determined energy, excitement and desire to become the best there is can be found on the softball diamonds around south end of the Salt Lake Valley. Riverton, Herriman and Summit Academy high schools have established competitive softball programs.

All three schools qualified for the state playoffs. Riverton took second place in Region 4, Herriman finished just a half a game behind them in third and Summit Academy placed second in the 2A North Division. 

“I feel like we are ready for the state playoffs,” Riverton head coach Katelyn Elliot said. “We have been hitting it (the ball) well lately. I think we have some pitchers that can chuck it on the mound.” 

Summit Academy got its first chance to compete in the postseason. The 2A state playoffs began May 12. The Bears faced Parowan and lost 8-3 in the first round. They then lost in the one-loss bracket to North Sevier 17-8 to close out their season.

Freshman Emma Perkins belted three home runs and pitched the Bears to eight victories this season. Ashlie Cordero and Kiera Glodoski each belted two round-trippers. The Bears finished the season with a 10-2 region record.

Cordero was named Academic All-State, recognized as a student who has excelled in the classroom as well as in athletic competition. With more than 85,000 athletes participating in extracurricular activities, the award is the most prestigious award given to high school senior athletes. In the 2A classification, 10 girls were given the award.

Herriman and Riverton were scheduled to begin their state tournament runs May 17 (after press deadline.) 

The Mustangs are attempting to improve on last year’s second-place finish at state. They lost to Lehi twice on the final day of the tournament (7-2 both times) to end their championship hopes.

The Silverwolves navigated their way through the one-loss side of the bracket in 2015 until they also ran into and lost to the eventual state champion Lehi Pioneers.

“We just need to keep playing the way we have this season,” Elliot said. “It should not change just because it is the playoffs. The game does not change at all. We should not get wrapped up into all of the hype.” 

The Silverwolves had a team batting average of .446. They belted 16 home runs and averaged 10.7 runs per game. Pitchers Jordan Lockhart and Eryn Williams anchored the Silverwolves defense. Elliot said her pitchers can “really chuck it.” 

The South Valley rivals (Herriman and Riverton) split their regular season games. Each team won on its opponent’s home field. The Mustangs took the first contest 9-3 on April 5 and lost game two 14-12

Herriman’s girls were not to be outdone by their cross-town rivals. They averaged 9.7 runs per game and belted 24 home runs themselves. Sophomore April Visser hit 10 home runs, the third most in the state this year.

Riverton opened the state tournament against Davis while Herriman will face Syracuse, both games were scheduled for May 17 (after press deadline.)