This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In an odd twist of timing, the Salem Hills softball team ran up against a critical problem: The Class 4A playoffs came up at the same time as the school's graduation ceremony Wednesday night.
The team's 10 seniors elected to play through, and the Skyhawks won both their games against Bountiful and Box Elder. And afterward, their parents and school officials provided a tender ending: The school principal came up to have a brief ceremony on the softball field. Alexis Parker and Kiley Williams talk about in this video:
The 4A one-loss semifinal is the furthest Salem Hills has ever been in the tournament, made more special because several of the 10 seniors are four-year starters since the school only opened four years ago. Salem Hills is a three-year school, but this is the first group of four-year players on the team.
The seniors on this year's team include Williams, Parker, Courtney Moody, Jerika Durfey, Morganne Eldredge, Mckenzie Meacham, Brooke Ford, Hailey Ingram, Storm Thomas and Kayla Palmer.
Salem Hills won its games with authority, earning a 7-2 win over Bountiful with three homers and a 3-0 win against Region 5 champ Box Elder.
The Skyhawks play Murray on Thursday at 2:45 at Valley Complex. If they win, they'll play Roy in the 5 p.m. championship.
— Kyle Goon
Twitter: @kylegoon