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Summer Stensgard
Uintah, Sr., pitcher
22-4 record, 2.91 ERA, 156 K
The Utes, who came within a game of the Class 4A championship, were led by Stensgard's pitching and hitting. Stensgard pitched every game in region play. As the team's leadoff hitter, she batted .538 with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. Stensgard crushed three home runs when Uintah beat Spanish Fork on the final day to extend the season one more game. "Pretty stinkin' impressive," Utes coach Madelyn Schulz said. "She hadn't hit the best during the state tournament. It was awesome to see her pull out of that funk." Stensgard also was a standout on the volleyball team and, in a fundraiser for the school's wrestling program, won the Ms. Uintah bodybuilding title. "Just an all-around athlete," Schulz said.
Nicole Wall
Bingham, Jr., pitcher
20-3 record, 2.02 ERA, 224 K
Wall's tricky offspeed pitches and location were on full display during title day for Class 5A. The hard-hitting West batters often were baffled in trying to reach Wall as Bingham won one game before finally succumbing to the Panthers in the second. Wall had pitched a complete game against Copper Hills that same day to get the Miners into the championship round. "I just felt like she was the ultimate workhorse," Bingham coach Mikki Jackson said. Wall was no slouch with the bat either. She batted .471 with five homers. That final day of the season was emblematic of her junior campaign. "I just think we saw how she got stronger and stronger as the year went on," Jackson said.
Brayle Crosman
Grantsville, Sr., C
.351 average, 8 HR, 30 RBIs
The work ethic and joy of Crosman, particularly evident when she rounded first after hitting a seventh-inning homer in the Class 3A championship game, was contagious. "She is an extraordinary leader and is a great person," Grantsville coach Heidi Taylor said. "There wasn't a day in the last four years that she didn't give it 100 percent. The girls, they knew that, because they play with her in practice." Crosman had the skills, too. After throwing out two Bear River runners in the first two innings, the Bears never again tried to steal in a nip-and-tuck title contest in which the Cowboys won their first softball crown since 1998.
Huntyr Ava
West, Soph., 1B
.594 average, 21 HR, 66 RBIs
Ava often hit opposing pitches like a piñata in just her second year of varsity ball. Her 2017 stats for home runs and runs batted in were both new single-season records for Utah high school softball. And after a freshman year where she mostly served as a designated hitter, Ava got into the field as the Class 5A champions' regular first baseman. "She worked hard on that, in regard to her mobility laterally," West coach Keith Lopati said. As for her hitting, one of Ava's best attributes was adjusting to pitchers who were trying to figure a way to get her out. "Regardless of whether it's fast or slow, up or down, she was able to adjust," Lopati said. "She's so far ahead as far as her age, it's incredible."
Dayna Hokanson
Herriman, Sr., 2B
.505 average, 4 HR, 29 RBIs, 23 SB
The routine plays in the field by Hokanson often were trumped by spectacular glove work on balls that would be out of reach for many. The Herriman senior, a former shortstop, helped make the right side of the diamond almost off-limits for batters trying for infield hits. Called a "fierce competitor" by her coach, Hokanson was dangerous when she got on base, swiping 23 bases in 27 tries. And she was on base a bunch frequently, boasting a .500-plus batting average. "She was lights out over there," Herriman coach Heidi McKissick said about Hokanson, who had 70 putouts in her 74 chances. "She's quick, can cover the bunt and she's a hard worker."
Jazmyn Rollin
West, Jr., SS
.600 average, 16 HR, 47 RBIs, 26 SB
It seems as though Rollin can do almost anything — and excel at it. From her speed at the top of the lineup to a cannon for an arm that can shoot down runners from the shortstop position mixed with a powerful bat, Rollin was a huge factor in West's first softball title in school history. Rollin, a former standout at Taylorsville, ended up at West after first transfering to Hunter, where she initially didn't plan on playing. Eventually look for Rollin to be in a University of Missouri uniform. "She's a triple threat in the truest sense. She possesses everything you want for a higher-level softball player," West coach Keith Lopati said. "It's her speed is what sets her apart."
Rylee Harris
Springville, Jr., 3B
.495 average, 12 HR, 48 RBIs
"Power, power, power," is the first thought that comes to Springville coach Jill Thackeray's mind when it comes to Harris, whose long-ball ability jumped exponentially between her sophomore and junior years. Harris had five home runs last year but more than doubled it with 12 in 2017. Harris, a starter since her freshman year, is a solid defender at third and also on the Red Devils basketball team. The most recent Springville softball squad was loaded with 12 seniors, so Harris will have to adjust to more of a leadership role next season. Maybe she just should let her bat do the talking. "She's not barely getting a hit or beating out an infield hit," Thackeray said. "She hits it, it goes to the outfield." Or beyond.
Jordyn Bate
Spanish Fork, Jr., OF
.519 average, 7 HR, 56 RBI
The batting prowess of Bate, who approached state record numbers when it came to driving in runs, helped the Dons capture their third consecutive Class 4A state championship. Spanish Fork veteran coach Don Andrews said that the junior "is dangerous" and you get the idea that includes for anyone — teammates included — within range of the hot shots coming off her bat. "It took us until this year to get used to her bat speed," Andrews said. Bate also was the Dons' backup pitcher, and that role may increase when her senior season begins next year. But she'll always lead with that bat. "She's the hardest hitter we've ever had," said Andrews, who has coached Spanish Fork to six state crowns.
Paige Reynolds
Davis, Sr., OF
.494 average, 44 hits, 41 SB
When Reynolds got to first, foes might as well just have sent her over to second ... except she also was a threat to steal third. Reynolds, who swiped 41 bases in 42 attempts, embodied the ideal leadoff hitter. The Darts senior continually put pressure on opposing pitchers. She served as the sparkplug for a Davis squad that won region, including a win over eventual state champ West. "They don't want her on base. It's that simple. She's absolutely electric. She has so much energy and passion, and you combine that with her athleticism," said Darts coach Mylei Zachman, who added that Reynolds was a leader off the basepaths, too. "When she speaks, kids listen. And she's not afraid to be the one to speak out."
Mercedes Call
Bear River, Jr., OF
.512 average, 3 HR, 10 doubles
Call led off for the Bears and put the wheels in motion, setting the tone for a Bear River team that often sprinted its way around the basepaths en route to the Class 3A title game. In a playoff game against Juab, Call was bunted to second then tore off for third, banking that no fielder could beat her to the bag. Bears coach Calvin Bingham cites that as an example of her baserunning acumen. Call also hit three home runs, but her coach thinks that number could go higher. "Her real strength is her hitting. I think she likes to slap more than hit regular," Bingham said. "Sometimes I wonder if she'd be better just staying there in the box. Either way, she's an excellent hitter." —
How we picked the team
The TribPreps team used season statistics and its observations throughout the season to choose the All-Tribune team.