Taylorsville Fastpitch team wins state softball title in dominating fashion

By Greg James | [email protected] 

The Taylorsville Nightmarezzz won a championship in the 14-and-under recreation league state tournament. In doing so, they allowed only one run in six games along the way.

“I think some of these girls have played together since they were 8 years old,” Nightmarezzz head coach Chris Gonzalez said. “It has taken a few years for these girls of hard work to bring home a state championship for the team and league.”

The Taylorsville Fastpitch Softball League is for girls with recreation-level experience. The summer all-star program is for players not registered as accelerated players. 

The Nightmarezzz team was composed of 14 girls all 14 years old and under on Jan 1, 2019.

“The kids practiced hard four days a week to prepare for the weekend tournaments,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes, they played six games in two days. Brynn (Winget) was our workhorse. She did everything we asked, always at practice on time. She came early and left late and is a great kid to be around. She is very coachable, and I expect big things from her in the future.”

Winget pitched 16 innings in the state tournament. She amassed 12 strikeouts, only one walk and allowed only one run. The team outscored their opponents 61-1 in the championship weekend.

Alecia Martinez also pitched several games for the Nightmarezz. 

“Alecia is another very strong kid and has a strong arm,” Gonzalez said. “She did an outstanding job for us. Every time we called her name, she was ready to rock. The other teams had a hard time catching up to her because of her speed.”

Lexi Gonzalez played third base and has played only three years.

“Some of these girls have goals to play high school or college ball,” Chris Gonzalez said. “They know that putting in the work in increases the chance they have of attaining that goal. Lexi has done well and will play accelerated next year.” 

They finished second in the Oquirrh Mountain recreation tournament earlier this summer.

“We were undefeated in that tournament, and the Oquirrh Mountain team came out in the championship games and beat us twice,” Chris Gonzalez said. “I think we learned from that, and I told the girls it is how you finish. At state, we just steamrolled everyone. They were hungry, and they wanted to prove that they could win it.”

Many of these girls will continue their softball careers on high school teams or advancing to accelerated leagues. 

“I am proud of Ashlyn Powell,” Chris Gonzalez said. “There was a time she was put into tough situations. She played at her best ability. Our catcher, Persaya Smith, performed outstanding. Oakliegh Harman was a veteran player that has been in Taylorsville Fastpitch for some time. She responded and was very consistent. Haylee Vogele was also one of our top hitters.” 

The youngest player on the team was 11-year-old Jerzee Chavez. She pitched and struck out several older more experienced players. 

“It means a lot to our entire program to win a state championship,” Chris Gonzalez said. “Our board members are doing something right. They have put the kids in a good position to teach the game. Kids love it and they come back.” 

The 12-and-under Devils from Taylorsville Fastpitch also placed fourth at the state tournament. 

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