Emotions run high in Spanish Fork softball’s win over Salem Hills
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- Spanish Fork players including senior Peyton Hall (14) congratulate junior Tatum Hall (9) after she hit a home run during the Region 9 game against Salem Hills in Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Salem Hills centerfielder Camryn Grant slides into second base during the Region 9 game at Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork head softball coach Natalie Jarvis poses for a photo with the 2023 UHSAA 5A Gold Star Coach of the Year award after the Region 9 game against Salem Hills in Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Salem Hills head coach Kalab Stokes congratulates first baseman Rilyne Keck after she hit a home run during the Region 9 game at Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork shortstop Jade Romero hits a home run during the Region 9 game against Salem Hills in Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Salem Hills right fielder Grace Neves makes a diving catch during the Region 9 game at Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Salem Hills players congratulates first baseman Rilyne Keck after she hit a home run during the Region 9 game at Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork third baseman Peyton Hall makes a catch during the Region 9 game against Salem Hills in Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
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- Spanish Fork pitcher Lucy Evans throws a pitch during the Region 9 game against Salem Hills in Spanish Fork on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
An amazing display of dynamic offense, a celebration of a legacy of caring and the challenge of dealing with the loss of a friend.
That trio of powerful emotional storylines intersected on Thursday afternoon in Spanish Fork softball’s 15-11 home win over rival Salem Hills.
Dealing with loss
Prior to the game, the Dons made a special presentation to the Skyhawks of flowers and candy in recognition of the death of a Salem Hills student earlier in the week.
“It touched one of our players really hard who was really good friends with him,” Spanish Fork head coach Natalie Jarvis said. “We put his name on our wrists today and we just wanted to play this game for him. Life is too short and it’s hard for kids to go through that. We just wanted Salem to know that we care. We care about him and we care about them and that they’re have to deal with that right now. It’s amazing how one kid can touch so many people’s lives.”
Skyhawk head coach Kalab Stokes said it’s been a very challenging time for his players and they’ve turned to each other for support.
“It’s been a rough 48 hours for our group,” Stokes said. “Life is a is a precious thing and I think sometimes we take for granted our relationships with people. Trying to help young people cope with death and the things that surround that isn’t easy, but we are a very tight knit group.
“This is our softball family and we really take that phrase seriously. We cry together, laugh together, and just make sure everyone’s doing the best they can as they work through this.
He said when a tragedy happens like this, it’s hard to know what to say.
“Some of these girls were best friends with that young man,” Stokes said. “It’s difficult for everyone involved. You want to be sensitive but also to help them learn how to work through these tough issues.”
He said that being able to play softball has meant a lot.
“I’m proud of my girls,” Stokes said. “It helped yesterday that we were able to play a game too. My girls are our caring individuals. They wanted to play in memory of their friend. We face a lot of hard things and it’s good for people to be able to learn how to handle those difficult things as a young age. Our community is rallying around each other and sports as a way of pulling people together. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have to have him be involved in something like this.”
Don senior third baseman Peyton Hall said Spanish Fork wanted to be aware of how hard it might be for the Salem Hills squad.
“It reminds you to just be kind, to always be kind to everybody,” Hall said. “It’s hard because we’re still playing the game, but we just wanted to make sure we were being kind.”
Offensive firepower
It can be therapeutic in times of grief to be able to go through a normal routine like a rivalry softball game and both teams came ready to play.
Despite the potential distraction of their emotions, the Skyhawks were focused and aggressive from the outset.
A three-run shot over the fence from third baseman Rilyne Keck got the home run party started as the two teams combined to blast 12 four-baggers in the game.
After a solo blast from Don second baseman Tatum Hall, Salem Hills got a two-run homer from centerfielder Camryn Grant to go up 5-1.
Spanish Fork got three straight solo home runs from sophomore Jade Romero, Tatum Hall and Peyton Hall to narrow the gap, only to see the Skyhawks get a pair of two-run skyrockets from first baseman Taylan Haveron and designated player Jaci Warner to extend the Salem Hills lead to 9-4.
But the Dons never panicked and rallied with a number of big hits in the late innings. Spanish Fork took the lead for good with a five-run fifth inning — highlighted (naturally) by long balls from Peyton Hall and centerfielder/pitcher Avery Sapp.
“I feel like I just wasn’t worried at all because our offense is so good,” Peyton Hall said. “I knew we were going to hit. No matter how many runs they scored, I was like, we’re good. We’re going to come back with just as many.”
Jarvis said she felt like her team started slow but benefitted from the challenge.
“I think it’s a good experience for us,” Jarvis said. “I think it’s a good way to show our fight and our discipline up to bat. I couldn’t be prouder. We came to play and although we were a little shaky here and there, we got the outcome we wanted.”
Stokes said he feels like his team had the right mindset and it made a huge difference.
“We usually struggle against Spanish Fork,” Stokes said. “It’s always a rivalry and they usually take it to us, but today our girls were ready and they came out swinging. Our confidence level was there and it was a back-and-forth game with each team scoring runs. I’m proud of my girls and how they fought. They didn’t quit and they wanted it.”
Celebrating a legacy of caring
After the win, Spanish Fork announced that Jarvis was honored by the Utah High School Activities Association as the 2023 5A Gold Star Coach of the Year, a recognition the honors coaches who lead by example and create a positive environment.
“It means the world to me to get this honor,” Jarvis said. “It means I’m just blessed. I’m blessed to be in this situation where I can make a difference in these girls’ lives. I can make a difference for the love of the game. I want them to love the game and I want them to become great people in the world, to go on and make a difference. I’m blessed that I have this opportunity. A lot of people don’t get this opportunity this many years and I’ve just been very blessed. I have a great staff. I have a great administration. I’m proud to be here and proud to be a coach.”
Peyton Hall said Jarvis deserves the honor because she cares so much about her athletes.
“I think Natalie is a really good coach but she is also a really good friend,” the Spanish Fork senior said. “She’s somebody you can always joke around with and she’s just funny. She’ll get on us, but she also lets you know that you’re doing a good job.”
Spanish Fork (14-1, 5-0) steps away from league play to head to West for a game on Friday, while Salem Hills (9-6, 3-3) looks to start a new winning streak when it plays at Maple Mountain on Tuesday.
Both games are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
