ST. GEORGE — The Snow Canyon Little League all-stars are the world softball champions, thanks to a 9-3 victory over Smithville, Texas, in the Junior League Softball World Series championship game Saturday afternoon.

Playing at Kirkland, Washington in front of a national television audience (the game was broadcast live on ESPNews), the West champions jumped out to an early 7-0 lead over the Southwest champs after two innings and stayed ahead the remainder of the game.

“We got out to a quick start hitting the ball and put some runs up,” West head coach Jeremy Mooring told St. George News after the game. “That settled the girls down and we relied on our defense to carry us.”

Starting pitcher Jenna Thorkelson was perfect for West over the first three innings, allowing no baserunners while striking out four batters.

West posted its first runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a two-run single by Jael Wilde that scored McKenna Staheli, who’d been hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Thorkelson, who’d singled on a fly ball to left. Wilde advanced to third on the play, due to a fielder’s error.

Kambrie Stuart then brought home Wilde with a single to make it 3-0 for West after one inning.

West added four more runs in the bottom of the second, thanks to back-to-back doubles by Stuart and Ginny Deming, followed by a single by Tyler Mooring that scored Deming.

To read the full story, visit St. George News

.

KSL's Southern Utah News Section

Looking for more news from the southern part of the state? Visit our southern Utah section for more stories, events and features.

Related topics