Prep softball: Two Davis pitchers no-hit Fremont in big region win
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- Davis High’s Serena Roth delivers a pitch to a Fremont batter on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Fremont’s Savannah Palmatier reacts after being thrown out at first base in a game against Davis on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High’s Jada Chilton slides into second base in a game against Fremont on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Fremont catcher Brooklyn Himelright secures a pop out in a game against Davis on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High’s Katie Klaumann hits a pitch against Fremont on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Fremont’s Saige Steele dives into a base in a game against Davis on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Davis catcher Rayleigh Starnes catches a ball against Fremont on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Fremont’s Savannah Palmatier swings at a pitch in a game against Davis on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
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- Fremont’s Savannah Palmatier runs the bases against Davis on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Kaysville.
KAYSVILLE — Davis High shortstop Jewel Korth had no idea; catcher Rayleigh Starnes didn’t have a clue.
It may be the most boring no-hitter in Davis softball history.
Sophomore pitcher Serena Roth didn’t give up a hit to Fremont through six innings Tuesday and freshman Cambell Christensen tossed a perfect seventh, combining for a no-hitter for the Darts, as their teammates were oblivious and expressed surprise when asked about the drama on the diamond.
“Oh, we had a no-hitter, really? No, I didn’t know that,” Korth said.
Starnes was equally in awe about the accomplishment, saying: “It was a no-hitter? That’s awesome. I was too caught up in the moment. I didn’t even realize.”
In the end, it was a win that pulled the Darts into a first-place tie with the Silverwolves and Farmington in Region 1, splitting the season series with a 6-0 shutout victory.
Roth, for her part, was on board with Davis coach Todd Street’s decision for her to sit the seventh inning.
“I’m not too upset about it. They wanted to save my arm and give Cambell some work,” Roth said. “I give them that because I had a no-hitter for six innings and she had one too; so, we had a shutout no-hitter all the way around.
“Me and Cambell work good off of each other. We switch off most of our games. She’s a good closer for us. I’m more spin and she’s more power,” Roth said.
Roth issued three walks and hit a batter but finished strong, striking out the Fremont side in the top of the sixth inning, finishing with a flourish. She had five Ks overall.
Fremont (7-4, 5-2 Region 1) substituted freely late in the game, trying to solve the Roth riddle to no avail.
“The last inning, I just felt good. Our last offensive inning (bottom of the fifth) wasn’t too long, so I was in a groove,” Roth said. “New batters, facing new people; my screw(ball) was working great. My rise was good also.”
Street didn’t need to defend his decision to pull Roth but offered insight into the move.
“(Roth) got to a certain pitch count. I leave that to my pitching coach. We have a lot of faith in Cambell coming in. (Cambell) came in and mowed down the other three,” Street said. “We’re fortunate to have two good pitchers. We’re going to need her down the line. This is a big game for us, but we’re hoping to have some bigger games coming up.
“A couple of times we’ve left Rena in, and Cambell had to come in to save the day, so today she got to go in with the game not on the line, not under stress and she delivered like she can,” Street said.
Davis (13-4, 5-2) scored five runs in the third inning, which was more than enough.
The Darts had the bases loaded forever, and scored individual runs on consecutive walks and a hit batter before Roth, as a hitter, delivered a two-RBI single — all with two outs.
“My job was to get a base hit; that’s all we needed to score a run,” Roth said. “I had two strikes on me. Swing hard no matter what because it’s probably going to be a strike.”
Korth, peacefully unaware of mounting pressure, made the play of the game in the fifth inning when she went deep into the hole and snagged a hot grounder by Fremont’s Rylee Andreasen and nipped her by half a step at first.
“Our pitcher was pitching outside so I scooted a little to the left. It was quick and I stuck my glove out there,” Korth said. “I did my thing, trusted my skills and got the out. We get the outs one by one.”
Roth also credited her outfield and third baseman Hadlee Isaacs for their contributions in the field.
“Our defense was amazing. It was an all-around good team effort by our defense to keep them under control,” Roth said.
Davis continues to surprise Region 1 coaches, who picked them to finish last in a preseason poll.
“Our kids have a chip on their shoulder. We’re better than (last) and want to keep showing it,” Street said. “We want to give ourselves a chance to win a region championship. Today is a big step in that direction.”