Softball playoffs: Young Clearfield gets settled, then routs Bountiful in Game 1
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- Clearfield High’s Addyson Haddock makes contact with a Bountiful pitch in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Hannah Hensley winds up to pitch to a Bountiful batter in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Alexandra Bingham (11) runs to second base as Bountiful’s Kamryn Rasmussen can’t come up with a diving stop in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Emma Dishongh celebrates with her dugout after the Falcons scored a run in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series against Bountiful on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Abbie Hale connects with a Bountiful pitch in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Bountiful pitcher Dylan Carpenter hops into a delivery against Clearfield in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Lyla Leonhardt pushes off second base in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series against Bountiful on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Lilly Lara secures a flyout on a Bountiful batted ball in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Lyla Leonhardt runs to first base in Game 1 of a 5A second-round playoff series Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Clearfield.
CLEARFIELD — Clearfield High softball featured a roster with only one senior in its 5A state playoff debut Thursday against Bountiful.
By the numbers, there are three juniors, eight sophomores and six freshmen on the Clearfield crew. It took the young Falcons three innings to assimilate to the environment of super regional tournament action.
Once they did, the No. 5 Falcons scored runs in bunches and took Game 1 of the best-of-three series, run-ruling the No. 12 Redhawks 13-3 when junior Addyson Haddock drove in the game-stopping run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“For me, it doesn’t matter how old you are; the sport doesn’t know how old you are. I put out whoever I feel is best and they’ve done really, really well,” Clearfield coach Kamie Hoggan said. “You play fearless, embrace the moment … soak it all in. Time goes so fast. Opportunities don’t come every year … tomorrow isn’t promised.
“They all love each other. The camaraderie is so great. There is a genuine friendship on this team. Good memories that last forever and ever,” Hoggan said.
The Falcons (18-5) scored a run in the second inning, four in the third, three in the fourth and five in the walk-off sixth.
“We talk about it all the time; win every inning,” Hoggan said. “If we don’t, we’ve got to get it back next inning.”
Bountiful (15-12) led 2-1 entering the third inning when the Falcons plated all four runs with one out.
Freshman designated player Capri Harris had a déjà vu moment for the Falcons when she came up with the bases loaded in the third. Harris had hit into a 1-2-3 double play with the bases juiced in the second inning and was looking to atone for her missed opportunity.
“After that double play happened, I felt so down. I went back in my dugout, knowing my team will pick me up; everything will be OK,” Harris said. “I had to calm down and take a breath before I got at bat again. I was like, ‘I have to adjust this, or adjust that.’ Little things that help me improve. I hit a single and drove in two runs.”
There was a thought process Harris went through as she tried to stay engaged from the DP slot, and it worked as Clearfield led 5-2 following her clutch hit.
“When I get in the box … do I need to get on base or need a big hit right now? Think about what to do in that situation,” Harris said. “The pressure is real, but I have so much trust in my team. They have my back and I have to have theirs. Mentally, always stay positive.”
Hoggan and the Falcons may have struck gold with Harris at the designated player position.
“She hasn’t been the DP all year; we’ve been playing around with that role. The past few games she’s been on fire … ride whoever’s hot,” Hoggan said.
Clearfield’s three-run fourth inning began with two outs and nobody on. Sophomore Abbie Hale’s two-run triple was the big blow in the inning.
“Our team has so much fight. Everyone has their job to do and is so good. We’re having so much fun and work so hard for each other,” Harris said.
The Falcons rapped 14 hits Thursday and, before sophomore leadoff hitter Skylar Davis’ two-run single in the sixth and Haddock’s following walk-off base hit, the other 12 hits all came from the five, six, seven and eight spots in the lineup.
“The middle of our lineup is really coming through. We don’t have one weak spot; first of the lineup, end of the lineup … I feel we’re strong everywhere. That’s what makes this team so great,” Hoggan said. “It doesn’t matter where we are. You should be afraid of us.”
Sophomore Alexandra Bingham had four singles, Hale and sophomore Lyla Leonhardt had three hits each and Harris got two.
Hale scored four runs and Bingham, a catcher, set up a speed-up runner to come home three times.
Freshman pitcher Hannah Hensley got the complete-game victory for the Falcons, scattering four hits while striking out six without issuing a walk.
She gave up two runs in the first inning, then pretty much shut Bountiful down the rest of the way.
“First state playoff game … definitely nerve-wracking. I was scared. I didn’t want to let my team down,” Hensley said. “After the first inning, I looked at my team and said, ‘This is my team.’ I trust them to come back and support me no matter what.”
Hensley rang up all six strikeouts in the first three innings, then turned things over to her defense the rest of the way.
“I started out strong, then they figured me out. I got tired a little bit, but my team backed me up,” Hensley said.
One defensive play deserves special mention, showing the help Hensley got from her fielders.
Bountiful’s Reagan Duryea smashed a shot into deep left-center in the sixth inning and Clearfield sophomore left fielder Emma Dishongh grabbed the ball at the base of the fence, whirled and threw a laser that cut Duryea down at second base.
When the Falcons scored five in their half of the sixth, Hensley didn’t have to go back out for the seventh inning. Sporting an ice pack on her shoulder after the game, she was still scheduled to pitch Game 2 of the super regional at 1 p.m. Friday and, if there is a Game 3, who knows.
“It’ going great, honestly. I’ve enjoyed every moment; I love the girls. I love everything about it right now,” Hensley said.
Bob Judson has covered high school sports for the Standard-Examiner for the past 51 years.
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Softball playoffs: Young Clearfield gets settled, then routs Bountiful in Game 1
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