Slugging Skyhawks: Salem Hills hits four round-trippers in a 19-8 win over Wasatch
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- Salem Hills’ Adelyn Mattinson is congratulated by her teammates after touching home plate after her home run hit during Friday’s clinching game over Wasatch. May 15, 2026
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- Salem Hills’ slugger Leila Stevenson is greeted at home plate by her teammates after hitting a home run versus Wasatch. May 15, 2026
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- Salem Hills’ pitcher Jo Norman pitched 5 1/3 innings during her team’s 19-8 win over Wasatch on Friday. May 15, 2026
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- Salem Hills freshman Adalyn Mattinson is all smiles as she rounds the bases following her home run hit versus Wasatch. May 15, 2026
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- Salem Hills’ Emmery Wilson belts one of her two RBI hits to the outfield during regional action versus Wasatch. May 15, 2026
It’s not just one aspect that has provided Salem Hills’ dominant play throughout this season, although one certain team strength was showcased in earnest during a 19-8 win over Wasatch on Friday.
Sure, the Skyhawks again received a big boost from the pitching of senior Jo Norman, while providing solid defense and adept baserunning throughout, but it was the power-hitting from the plate that perhaps proved the biggest catalyst during the win, much as it has all season.
Four Salem Hills players provided round-trippers in the regional-clinching win, and the impact was ushered in almost immediately.
First off was Aliyah Elmer hitting a towering fly ball over the left field fence in the bottom half of the first inning before Leila Stevenson unleased an absolute rocket the same direction as the Skyhawks took a 4-0 lead. Adding to the home run total was freshman Adalyn Mattinson with Audree Stokes topping things off in the bottom of the sixth inning to shorten the game to just six innings played.
“Every nine of our players in our lineup, and even the tenth girl that we bring off the bench can go deep,” said Salem Hills coach Kalab Stokes. “But we don’t focus on it. Our focus is staying within ourselves and hitting line drives, and those line drives often end up being home runs. So we’re not trying to hit home runs out there, but that’s been the result because of our approach, and the girls trust that. So it’s worked out really well for us.”
Four individual players have provided 10 or more home runs for the Skyhawks this season, which includes Elmer (16 home runs), Stevenson (12) and Mattinson (11), along with Emmery Wilson (13.) The bevy of home runs, with four girls vying for top honors on the season, has created a competitive yet fun dynamic between all of them.
“Oh, they’re super competitive with one another,” Stokes said with a chuckle. “But they’re so good at cheering for each other at the same time. They’re at least as happy to see one of their teammates get one as they are when they get one themselves.”
Like most coaches, Stokes stacks his biggest hitters in the middle of the order in hopes of providing the most runs possible.
“When our No. 1 and No. 2 hitters get on, I know I wouldn’t want to be the opposing pitcher against our three, four, five and even six hitters,” Stokes said. “So far it’s worked out great for us and we’re hoping it continues the farther we go in the tournament.”
As mentioned, one of the players belting a home run yet again for the Skyhawks on Friday was Mattinson, who as a freshman has provided a relatively unexpected yet completely welcome boost to the team’s overall production. At just 14 years of age Mattinson is already established as one of her team’s premier sluggers with a world of potential ahead of her.
“I knew a little bit about her before she came up and started playing for us, and I knew she could be really good, but I honestly had no idea she’d be this valuable for us immediately,” Stokes said. “She’s earned her spot and she’s never let go. So she’s a huge part of what we do. She’s going to do amazing stuff by the time she’s done here and we’re absolutely fortunate to have her for the next three years.”
As for this year, Salem Hills looks well-poised to capture a 5A state championship after coming within one game of doing as much just one season ago. Flush with underclassmen, along with one standout freshman, the future looks very bright, although the entire focus is getting it done this season.
“We’ve never been afraid to play young players here, and you’re seeing how that’s benefitted us now,” Stokes said. “Most of these girls out there today were playing as sophomores and even most of them as freshmen, so they’re experienced and confident.”
As for what his team accomplished on Friday specifically, Stokes was mindful to begin his comments by lending praise to his opponent.
“Wasatch is far better than a No. 16 seed and you saw that with how they competed today. That team has no quit and they’re coached very, very well,” Stokes said. “They’ve been in every game all year long and the future is very bright over there. They’re going to be a really good team in the coming years, and they’re already a good team. So hat’s off to them.”
