MANTI—After a rude awakening in the beginning of the season, it would appear now that the Lady Templars are about ready to roll.
Manti softball went 2-1 last week with convincing wins over Delta, 18-2, last Wednesday and South Summit, 7-1, last Friday. They also fought hard in a losing affair against a top-tier Carbon team, 8-3, last Tuesday. After beginning the season 0-7, Manti has now won four of their last five games and is 4-8 overall with a 1-0 region record.
“We are slowly making improvements, but are far from where we want to be,” Coach Susan Hatch said. “But with each game played, we are making adjustments and improvements that are helping us reach our team goals.”
Manti struggled against Carbon, the team they fought their way past in extra innings last summer to make it to the championship game. Despite senior Rylee Jarvis hitting a home run, Carbon was up big from the beginning as they scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back.
Whatever frustration Manti might have had from that game was taken out in droves on a hapless Delta team in the second inning. After going up 1-0 in the first inning, Manti unleashed their full batting power to the tune of 14 runs at the top of the second inning, ending the game on a mercy rule after the third inning. Senior Tiffany Hermansen led the charge with five RBI, while junior HayLee Daniels hit a home run to score two runs. Hermansen shut the Rabbits down at the pitching mound, allowing only a single hit while pitching three strikeouts.
Against the Wildcats, Hermansen cracked a homer for a single score, while junior Maquette Hansen scored two RBI. Hermansen again impressed at the mound with eight strikeouts.
The Lady Templars will head north this Saturday to play in the Payson Varsity Tournament, facing 6A Pleasant Grove and Emery. They’ll then prepare to host North Sanpete next Tuesday.
