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PROVO — For the first time in school history, the West Jordan Jaguars are state softball champions.
Fueled by a five-run fifth inning and anchored by standout pitching from BYU commit Rita Tavita, the Jaguars rallied from an early deficit to defeat top-seeded Salem Hills 6-5 in the 5A state championship Friday at BYU's Gail Miller Field.
It marks West Jordan's first-ever state softball title and its first championship in any sport since 2008.
"This win means everything to this group," West Jordan head coach McHailee Danner said. "I told them they had to come out hot, ready, and start with energy. I wasn't easy on them at all this season, so it was really awesome to see all that hard work come out on the field today."
Before this year, the Jaguars had never reached a state softball championship game, but now this year's team goes down in school history.
The Skyhawks, who had taken a 3-0 lead early behind RBI hits from Shae Loveridge and Camryn Guest, looked in control through the second inning. But West Jordan chipped away with an RBI single from Tavita in the top of the third.
The game-changing moment came in the top of the fifth, though.
Down 3-1, West Jordan's bats came alive. A two-RBI single by Hailey Fox tied the game, then with the bases loaded and no outs, Lafiana Fifita stepped up and delivered the go-ahead RBI single, bringing home Claira Gibson. One hit after another followed, as the Jaguars poured on five runs to take a commanding 6-3 lead.
Salem Hills didn't go quietly, though.
Audree Stokes scored twice in the bottom half of the inning — once on a steal of home after a fielding error and again on a later hit — to close the gap to 6-5.
But Tavita, who also sparked the comeback with her bat, shut the door in the circle. The future Cougar controlled the final frames with poise beyond her years, recording clutch outs to preserve the one-run lead and secure the title.
"She's a competitor," Danner said of Tavita. "She wants the ball in her hands, and there's no one we'd rather have out there in that moment."
The Jaguars' offense was relentless and balanced. Arianna Fjeldsted had a game to remember, finishing with two singles, a double, and a triple. Nearly every player in the lineup contributed, and West Jordan's defense locked down when it mattered most.
Both teams showcased deep lineups full of power and speed, but it was the Jaguars who executed in the biggest moments.
The road to the title didn't come easy for West Jordan. After winning Game 1 of the best-of-three series 13-7, the Jaguars carried that confidence into Friday's decisive game, even after falling behind early.
This was the first-ever meeting between West Jordan and Salem Hills in the state championship — and it ended with the Jaguars making program history.
For the first time, the Jaguars are on top of Utah 5A softball — and they're not looking back.
