San Juan softball team looks for push to state

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
It was an extremely busy past couple weeks for the San Juan High School softball team. Despite not playing any games this past weekend the Lady Broncos crammed eight games into a period of nine days stretching from April 9 to 16.
They began with a nice 10-5 win over Grand County in Blanding on April 9 in the first meeting of the season between the two rivals. It was a tight battle throughout the game.
The Lady Red Devils opened the scoring with a two-run first inning, but San Juan answered to tie the game with two in the bottom of the first.
Grand regained the lead with a run in the top of the third, but the Lady Broncos took their first lead of the game when they plated four in the bottom of the third.
San Juan added to their lead with a run in the fourth inning, then the Lady Red Devils scored twice in the top of the fifth to make the score 7-5. Thats as close as the visitors would get as the Lady Broncos scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to close out the home win.
San Juan winning pitcher Trinity Whatcott struck out 11 Grand County batters and drove in three runs at the plate to lead the Lady Broncos. Elise Dalley had two RBIs in the win and Sadie Cosby got one. San Juan stole nine bases against Grand.
On Friday, April 12 San Juan traveled to Gunnison for a 2A Central doubleheader with the Gunnison Valley Lady Bulldogs. They lost the first game 11-7 but bounced back to win the second 17-5.
Madden Perkins had an impressive game at the plate in the win, driving in five Lady Bronco runs. She  was 3-for-5 with a double and two singles. Cosby was also impressive with four RBIs on two hits.
Averie Gilson and Elizabeth Palmer drove in two runs apiece while Morgann McPherson and Whatcott had one RBI each. Khatira Keith picked up the win on the mound for San Juan.
On Saturday, April 13 the very busy road trip weekend continued for San Juan with four games at the Payson Ice Breaker tournament. It was a very challenging lineup of opponents that garnered San Juan only one win.
They topped Altamont 9-6 in their first game of the day, then suffered three losses to Emery (10-1), Enterprise (16-0), and Manti (12-1).
In the win over the Lady Longhorns San Juan trailed 2-0 early but scored four runs in the second inning, four more in the third, and one in the fourth to overcome their opponent.
Gilson drove in five runs for the Lady Broncos; she was 2-for-3 with two doubles. Keegan Palmer, Synessa Atcitty, and Morgann McPherson all had one RBI apiece. Trinity Whatcott got the win on the mound, striking out three Altamont batters along the way.
Following their tough trip to Payson San Juan took a short trip to Moab on Tuesday, April 16 where they crushed Grand County 16-1 in four innings. The victory closed out the season series with their local rivals unless they meet again in the postseason.
Again it was Trinity Whatcott earning the win in an outstanding one-hit effort. She struck out four Lady Red Devils, walked three, and didn’t allow an earned run.
She also led the Lady Broncos at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 day and four RBIs. Morgann McPherson helped out with three RBIs and she scored two runs.
Khatira Keith drove in two San Juan runs and scored one. Sadie Cosby, Averie Gilson, and Synessa Atcitty all collected one RBI apiece.
The Lady Broncos are now 10-7 on the season, ranked sixth in the 2A RPI standings as of April 23. It’s hard to imagine, but this week is the final week of the regular season for the girls and they’ll close it out with a full slate of six games.
On Tuesday, April 23 they visited the Monticello Lady Buckaroos in a rivalry matchup that was played after the San Juan Record print deadline. On Friday, April 26 they’ll host the Wayne Lady Badgers in a 2A Central doubleheader.
On Saturday, April 27 the team will travel to Salt Lake City to conclude their regular season at the annual Swing for Life Tournament at the beautiful Cottonwood Softball Complex.
The tournament serves to raise money for breast cancer research each year. The Lady Broncos are slated to take on Taylorsville, Lehi, Providence Hall, and Rowland Hall with action beginning bright and early at 8:30 a.m.

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