Tooele Grabs the 4A Softball Title

It was a game of highs and a game of lows. It was a game of scoring spurts, and not always the cleanest defense. It was a game decided on the final play, a play that was going to end the game regardless for one team or the other.

In what will go down as one of the most thrilling UHSAA 4A State Softball Championships in state history, the Tooele Buffaloes defeated the Spanish Fork Dons on Thursday behind timely hitting and a magical seventh inning by sophomore, Brooke Slade.

The Buffaloes jumped out to an early three run lead (including a home run by Whitney Holt) before the Dons’ even had their turn at the plate. Tooele added one more run in the third before the Dons’ bats finally came to life.

Aided by three singles, and a couple of errors, Spanish Fork scored four runs in the sixth after finally getting on the board the inning before. With the Buffaloes trailing 5 to 4 going into the seventh inning, the Dons needed to hold Tooele scoreless to force one more game (the Dons made the championship through the losers’ bracket).

Unfortunately for Spanish Fork, the seventh inning was Slade’s time to shine. The sophomore contributed to the Buffaloes big inning by smacking a double as Tooele pulled ahead once again, this time with a 9 to 5 lead… however the suspense did not stop there.

With two errors and a hit batter in the bottom of the seventh inning, it looked as though Tooele wanted to give the game to the Dons. The score was suddenly 9 to 8 and Spanish Fork had all of the momentum, but the Buffaloes only needed one big play, just one more out.

The pitch came and with the crack of the bat both teams stood in anticipation. If it would be caught, Tooele takes the crown. If it falls Spanish Fork would force one more final game… then came Slade diving to the ball. As both teams held their breathe Slade came to her feet with her ball in her hand as a hero, and a state champion.