5A softball playoffs: Salem Hills overpowers Box Elder in Game 1
CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner
Box Elder's Kennadie Blackmer delivers a pitch during a region softball contest at West Field High School on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Taylor.PROVO — Maclee Willard hit an RBI double to drive in Lucy Griffin to give No. 2 Box Elder High softball a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but No. 1 Salem Hills later answered with nine consecutive runs to win Game 1 of the 5A state championship series by a 9-2 tally Thursday at BYU.
Griffin batted 2 for 3 with a double and scored both Box Elder (28-5) runs. Madeline Jeppsen hit a single and drove in one. Kennadie Blackmer took the loss allowing four runs on six hits while striking out seven over five innings.
Leila Stevenson batted 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs for Salem Hills (31-1). Jocile Norman pitched a complete game with one earned run on five hits, striking out one.
Game 2 is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday. The Bees can force a decisive Game 3 with a win, which would be played at 4:30 p.m.
