Riverton takes down Layton

RIVERTON — Symbree Minniear's bat put the Riverton Silver Wolves ahead. Then Sandi Bowles' arm kept it that way.

After falling behind when Layton scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning, Riverton scored two in the sixth to win 2-1 in the second round of the 5A state tournament.

The bottom of the sixth inning began with a double by Bowles. With runners on first and third, Minniear hit a shot to right field that was misplayed, scoring Bowles for the winning run.

In Layton's portion of the sixth inning, the Lancers had two runners on when Julia Barlow lined a one-hopper to Bowles in right field. Bowles played the ball perfectly and gunned Barlow out at first base to end the threat.

The Lancers got the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to advance her further.

"You don't see that very often," Layton coach Kevin Jensen said of the play. "If the ball would have been a couple inches to either side, we probably would have gone ahead. (Barlow) was hustling to get there, and she did all she could to try to help us win the game."

In the process of moving on in the winner's bracket, the Silver Wolves also knocked out the state's top-ranked 5A team.

"It's a big deal," Riverton coach Emily Cederholm said. "This team has a lot of talent and potential, and it was important to prove to themselves that they can compete like this."

Jessie Cousins got the complete-game win on the mound, striking out five along the way. Sheila Adams, who also went the entire way, had six strikeouts..

"It told them that if any team in the state can work its way back through the loser's bracket and go all the way, it's them," Jensen said. "If they play the way they know they can, it's possible."

Cederholm had a lot of praise for the Layton players and its coach.

"It's always fun to play against such great competitors and great coaches that you can play and respect at the same time," she said.

Also gracious in the loss, Jensen wasn't disappointed in his team.

"There was tears, but I don't feel bad, because I couldn't be more proud of them," he said.

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E-mail: cpetersen@desnews.com