Layton knocks off defending champs

LAYTON — The Layton Lancers have been under the radar all season, but they made a statement Friday by putting the defending 5A state champions Alta Hawks one game away from ending their season with a 5-0 victory.

Haili Sawyer pitched a two-hit complete game shutout and Ashley McFarland smacked two home runs to power the Lancers.

Region 2 has made all the noise this year by fielding the top-ranked Bingham Miners, the fourth-ranked Jordan Beetdiggers who has surprised everyone, Copper Hills Grizzlies made a splash in region play, and Alta is still the state champions.

Layton has even been overshadowed by the second-ranked Fremont Silver Wolves, who have beaten the Lancers in both meetings they faced 1-0. In one of those games, Squire pitched a no-hitter but lost the game due to a walk and two errors.

But winning when it counts is nothing new to the Lancers as four of their starting lineup (Danielle McDonlad, Ashley McFarland, Molli Nelson and Kelsey Kennedy) played for the undefeated Lancer basketball team that claimed the state championship.

"Winning breeds winning," Layton head coach Carter Cook explained.

Similar to the basketball team that saw four different lead scorers during the 5A playoffs, the Lancer softball team has many different players that shine in games throughout the season.

"We are a team," Cook stated, "there are no individuals."

The Lancers struck early with McFarland nailing a two-run home run in the first inning and she followed with another shot in the sixth inning to seal the deal.

The Hawks' only threat to rally was halted in the third inning when Nikki Barber was called for interfering with the catcher in Collete Crystal's attempt to steal second base rendering Crystal out at second base. Two pitches later, Barber drilled a shot that hit the fence in left-field for a double. Alta's next batter Amanda Vance popped out to McFarland to end the inning.

From that inning on Squire allowed no hits and struck out four of her six in the last four innings.

But the Lancers didn't stop scoring as Sophomore Jasey Jensen, who batted a perfect 3-for-3, hit a double and scored off a Lyndi Prestgard sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning.

The Lancers next face another Region 2 team, the West Jordan Jaguars, today at Layton High School.

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E-mail: jlawrence@desnews.com