High school softball: Tooele takes 5-4 thriller from Spanish Fork

SPANISH FORK — The softball game at Spanish Fork lived up every inch to its billing. And it had quite a billing to live up to, as last season's 4A state champion Tooele and this season's 5A No. 1-ranked team Spanish Fork took to the field in a battle between one of the state's top pitchers and the state's most lauded hitting lineup.

One roller-coaster ride for each team and eight innings later, it was the Tooele Buffaloes that came out on top 5-4 as the thrills continued right up through the final batter. Though this game didn't mean anything as far as region standings or state tourney placement, it was widely agreed that it gave both teams a good taste and feel for playoff action.

"That was state championship stuff. That was great experience for state. You can't buy that kind of experience," said Tooele coach Steve Snow after the wild affair that saw his team down three runs for much of the game.

"I was pleased with the way the girls didn't fold and battled back. If we played 10 games against Spanish Fork, I'm sure most of them would turn out much like this," said Snow, who admitted, "To be honest, I'd take a game like this over a 10-0 or 15-0 blowout any day, even though it took 10 years off my life."

It was the formidable Spanish Fork lineup that struck first on the pitching prowess of Mattie Snow. Tina Ferguson smacked a bloop single into a hole between the pitcher and second base, then Katelyn Elliott launched a home run over the left-field fence for two RBIs.

The Dons held the 2-0 lead until Tooele manufactured a run off a walk and a double to Marissa Mendenhall in the top of the fifth. But it was later that Mendenhall really made things happen.

Spanish Fork made it 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth on singles by Elliott and Lindsey Healey before Tooele dug in its heals and took things to the Dons in the seventh.

Singles by Snow and Whitnie Griffith with a pair of outs set the table for Mendenhall, as she had the key hit of the game, sending a rocket over the right-field fence, bringing in three runs in the process and giving the Buffaloes a 4-3 lead — their first lead of the game.

"Marissa Mendenhall has been getting big hits all year," said Snow, who was visibly relieved after his team stuck with it and kept its focus, enabling the Buffaloes to make the big comeback.