BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Justus Wise, Headliner Sports Writer, May 13, 2022
The Lady Bears’ softball team from Bear River High has been anything but ordinary this year and why would the tail-end of their region play be any different? The Bears finished off Region 11 play against Sky View High followed by region rivals Ridgeline High on May 6. And, because it’s fun to beat up on them, Box Elder High.
This meager lineup against the 4A softball powerhouse that is the Bear River Bears, would grease the chute for our Bears to not only clinch their region champ status, but to do so heartily. They ended the 2022 Region 11 season with an undefeated record of 8-0 and are currently sitting number one overall in 4A.
To begin this final and utter domination we need to go back to Cinco De Mayo, have a tac, and enjoy the complete beatdown our Bears dished out on the basic Bobcats of Sky View High.
On May 5, the Bears got things going early in the second inning with three runs initiated by an error on the Bobcats’ side of things. With their foot on the pedal Bear River slammed it down and scored six runs in the third inning that was initiated off a single by senior Zoe Sorensen. It was then compounded by a massive home run by senior McCall Maxfield. Finally showing up to the game, Sky View put up two runs in the fourth and held Bear River to a scoreless inning.
This undoubtedly sent our Bears into a rage as they continued the beatdown with five more runs in the game. Junior Kate Dahle ruled the pitchers circle allowing zero hits, striking out eight and walking none. The Bears would beat the Bobcats, 14-2.
All season long the whispers and gossips from the streets have foretold the battle between two heavy-weight contenders for the Region 11 championship, namely the Ridgeline Riverhawks and the Bear River ‘friggin Bears.
This battle finally came to fruition on May 6, with Bear River having the home field advantage. Bear River tailed the Riverhawks for the first half of the game after Ridgeline scored one run in the second and third inning compared to Bear River’s one run in the third. The Bears caught up in the fourth inning off a single line drive from freshman Bella Douglas that sent senior Carlee Miller home to score. Ridgeline refused to take this sitting down, however, and retaliated with two runs in the fifth.
Seeing where her team was and where they needed to be, Maxfield took the field, primed and ready for anything the Riverhawk pitcher could throw her way. The pitcher let loose and Maxfield smacked a beautiful line drive that sent Sorensen and herself home, tying the game at four.
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After this team-rallying run, the region championship was all but Bear River’s. The Bears then went on to score three more runs in the fifth inning bringing the score 7-4 for Bear River. The rest of the game was a defensive battle as neither team scored another run. The game would end with the Bears ahead of their region rivals and another trophy for the case at Bear River High School.
Watch the Bear River vs. Ridgeline game again, courtesy of Bear River Live, on the link below.
Needing a break from the immense competition, the Bears chose to face off against their county rivals the Box Elder High Bees on May 9. Having no doubt celebrated their region championship a bit too much, the Bears were slow on the takeoff and did not take the lead until the fourth inning with two runs. They then let their lead slip as the Bees scored one in the fifth and three in the sixth making the score, 4-3 for Box Elder.
With a defeat at the hands of the Bees at stake, the Bears retaliated and tied the game in the seventh off a double by Maxfield that sent freshman Aubree Fry home to score. The tied score sent the game into extra-innings where each team was allowed one runner on second at the beginning of the inning. The Bears quickly took advantage of the extra practice and scored five runs and held the Bees to none. The game would end with Bear River on top and the score, 9-4.
Having now ended their reign of the regular season, the Bears await to hear who will be next on the hit list during the 2022 4A state softball championship tournament. This year’s state tournament will be held in St. George and the Bears are set to hit the field on Wednesday, May 18.
Can’t make it to St. George to watch the Lady Bears softball team on a quest for their 11th state championship title? Don’t worry, our friends at Bear River Live have it covered!
Bear River Live will be live streaming all Bear River High’s softball games at the 4A state tournament next week starting on May 18. Click on the link below to watch it all.
Bear River vs. Ridgeline, May 6, 2022 - Photos by John Fronk
