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Spanish Fork • The 4A defending champion Spanish Fork softball team scored early and often in an 11-0, five-inning victory over defending Class 5A state champion Riverton on Wednesday evening in the season opener for the Dons.

Spanish Fork's initial four batters got on base and crossed the plate in the first inning, and the hosts never looked back. Dons ace Cambrie Hazel started her senior campaign by scattering five hits and striking out five.

"She got stronger as the game went on," said Spanish Fork coach Don Andrews. "She can't do a lot of work in the offseason because she plays other sports and has to keep up with school, but by midseason, she'll be fully back."

Hazel hasn't been allowed to hit in previous seasons, but singled twice and scored a run on Wednesday.

The pitcher said she stays in shape by playing volleyball and basketball and agreed with her coach that she still has some work to do.

"It felt good to be out there but I'm not quite where I want to be yet," she said.

Her team's offense also got a lift from junior right fielder Jordyn Bate, who went 3-for-4 with a pair of triples and four RBIs, and also scored three runs.

"Jordyn has the quickest bat of any girl I've ever coached," Andrews said, who's been at it since 1994. "Her approach might need some fine tuning, but a hitter's a hitter."

Bate attributes a lot of her success at the plate to her older brothers, baseball players Zack and Brady.

"They've helped me a ton," she said. "They're always inviting me to come hit with them. It's fun to finally have the confidence to get in the box and know I can hit anything."

Bate has totally embraced her sport. "It's my favorite thing because I know I'm good at it," she said. "When I play, I can forget about everything else."

Dons junior third baseman Mallory Barber had two hits, including a double, for Spanish Fork. Sophomore catcher Brylee Rudd and junior shortstop Gabby Beckstrom also had two hits each.

Riverton coach Katelyn Elliott is a graduate of the Spanish Fork program. Her squad edged her former coach's team by one run in April last year.