San Juan softball team gets back into win column with five straight

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
After a tough weekend April 14-15 that saw the San Juan High School softball team lose six straight games, the Lady Broncos bounced back resoundingly over the course of the next week to win five in a row at home.
First, on Monday, April 17 they closed out their season series against local rival Grand County with an 11-1 victory. On Thursday, April 20 they swept South Sevier in a 2A Central doubleheader 11-7 and 16-14.
Then, this past Thursday and Friday, April 20-21 they faced Mountain View in back-to-back games, whipping the Lady Bruins 13-1 and 14-4.
Following the past week’s action San Juan is 17-9 on the season and back up to fourth place in the 2A RPI standings.
Against Grand on April 17 Hailie Palmer and Kaeah Howard led the way, both going 2 for 3 on the day. Palmer hit a triple, a double, and drove in four San Juan runs. Howard had a double and two RBIs.
The Lady Broncos stole six bases against their rivals in the win. Sadie Cosby was an impressive 6 for 6 in the field. And Trinity Whatcott pitched all six innings, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out ten.
In the first win over South Sevier Averie Gilson was 3 for 4 with three RBIs. Kaeah Howard and Hailie Palmer drove in two runs apiece. Howard was 2 for 3 on the day while Palmer was 1 of 5.
Trinity Whatcott, Avina Cordova, and Sadie Cosby all had one RBI each with Cordova going 3 of 4 at the plate. Cosby was 2 for 4 and Whatcott was 1 for 5.
Elise Dalley was perfect in the field, handling all 11 of her chances with ease. Trinity Whatcott pitched her second complete game in a row, allowing nine hits and seven runs while striking out 12 in seven innings of work.
In the second matchup of the doubleheader with the Lady Rams Dalley led the way with four RBI. She was 4-of-3 at the plate. Hailie Palmer drove in three runs and was 2 for 5 on the game.
Trinity Whatcott and Adriana Johnson drove in two runs apiece for the Lady Broncos. Whatcott was 4 for 5 and Johnson was 1 for 4 batting.
Avina Cordova, Sadie Cosby, and Kaeah Howard all had one RBI each in the win. Averie Gilson stole three bases for San Juan and Sadie Cosby was again a perfect 6 of 6 in the field.
In the first game against Mountain View Trinity Whatcott was just 1 for 3 at the plate but led the Lady Broncos with three RBIs. Synessa Atcitty factored in the win with two RBI. She was 1 of 2 at the plate.
Avina Cordova, Adriana Johnson, Markie Bowers, Keegan Palmer, and Hailie Palmer all drove in one run apiece in the win.
Elise Dalley and Hailie Palmer continued their strong fielding. Dalley was 8 of 8 on the day while Palmer was 6 for 6.
Trinity Whatcott and Averie Gilson shared the pitching duties. Whatcott allowed no hits and struck out six in her three innings of work. Gilson allowed one run on two hits and struck out two.
In the final game of the week against Mountain View Hailie Palmer led the offensive effort for San Juan with a triple, a double, and three RBIs. She was 3 of 4 at the plate.
Everyone else drove in one run each: Madden Perkins, Avina Cordova, Averie Gilson, Synessa Atcitty, Adriana Johnson, and Naataanii Lacy. Trinity Whatcott was 3 for 3 at the plate but didn’t register an RBI.
Hailie Palmer and Elise Dalley were amazingly perfect in the field again. Palmer was 7 for 7 and Dalley was 4 for 4. And freshman Kadience Mitchell pitched all five innings, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out four.
The #4 Lady Broncos will close out their regular season this Friday, April 28 with a trip to Bicknell to take on the #15 Wayne Lady Badgers.
If San Juan remains fourth or better in the standings, they’ll host three other teams in the first round of the 2A Utah State Softball Tournament on May 6.