5A softball semifinals set on hectic day

TAYLORSVILLE — While most teams were watching the competition or warming up, the Spanish Fork softball team was kicking off the high heels they wore to graduation and putting on their cleats.

The team's four captains graduated at 2 p.m., wearing their softball uniforms under their gowns.

"It was kind of a blur," said Jess Anderson after Spanish Fork's offense propelled them into the semi-final game with a 14-4 win over Viewmont. The players were excited about graduation and the chance to play region-rival Timpanogos a third time this season gave them even more reason to celebrate Tuesday night.

"This was fricking huge," said Dons pitcher Whitney Robinson. "We're ready for anyone. We're hitting amazing."

They'll need those amazing bats to get past Timpanogos pitcher Alli Bramwell, who has shut them down both games this season.

"Maybe we'll find some pixy dust to sprinkle on our bats," said Spanish Fork coach Don Andrews with a grin.

It appeared they'd already found some magic as they ended the game an inning early with 11 hits, including two home runs. The players said they've found both chemistry and timing and they're hoping it will make the third time the charm against Timpanogos.

The T-wolves won their game against Layton 4-2 in an extra inning.

Timpanogos coach Frank Bramall has said all season that if the team's shortstop Chelsey Brown is playing well, the team plays well. So the coach was understandably worried when he had to visit his senior captain in the hospital on Saturday.

"When I saw her Saturday, I told my wife, 'I don't think she'll play next week,' " said Bramall after his team defeated Layton 4-2 in eight innings. "That thing was so infected."

The senior, who will play basketball at Snow College next year, had to be admitted to the hospital Friday night after a wound she sustained sliding in a game became infected. Brown said others may have doubted whether she'd be well enough to play, but she knew where she'd be Tuesday night - at the Valley Complex in the 5A quarterfinals.

"There wasn't any doubt in my mind," she said with a slight smile. "This is where I want to be. I didn't want to let my team down."

Despite some fatigue, Brown showed no signs of illness. She even hit a single in the eighth inning that drove in the third run and sealed the T-wolves' win.