High school softball: Team success motivated softball MVPs

SALT LAKE CITY — Sometimes what a team needs isn't what an individual wants to give.

But great players not only put the team first, they understand that as much as hard work, excelling at one's assigned role is the epitome of teamwork.

This year's Deseret News Most Valuable Players put their teams first and found individual success. A speedy centerfielder, two talented pitchers and a catcher who knows how to lead in difficult times are this year's most valuable players in prep softball.

5A

Malia Campos, Murray

From the moment Malia Campos put on a Murray softball uniform, she's had an impact on the team's success.

"All four years she's been completely awesome defensively," said Murray head coach Lisa Parker. "She's made unbelievable catches all throughout her career."

The senior's speed in the outfield gave her teammates a lot of confidence — even if the high fly balls were on their way over the fence.

"Yeah, she dives, even over fences," said Parker with a laugh. Campos helped the Spartans to a second-place finish this season by taking advantage of her speed in the outfield and at the plate.

She earned 22 stolen bases and scored 49 runs. She finished the season with a .491 batting average and 27 RBIs.

When the pressure was greatest, Campos came up biggest. In the playoffs her batting average was .714 with a slugging percentage of 1.000. She had nine stolen bases, six RBIs and 11 runs in the five games.

"She brings a lot to us," said Parker. "She's just so stinking athletic."

So athletic, in fact, that she switched from being a right-handed batter to swinging from the left side. She struggled at some points last year, but it paid huge dividends this season, said Parker.

"Without her we would not have gotten as far because of all the things she did," Parker said. "I can't imagine the season without her. I can't imagine it with her gone. She's a ton of fun, and the younger kids have learned from her."

4A

Lyndsey Healey, Spanish Fork

Spanish Fork head coach Don Andrews normally calls the pitches thrown by the Dons in a softball game. But during region, his pitcher was frustrated and Andrews took a chance.