St. George • Bear River's Jordan Theurer said she was more nervous pitching than hitting on Friday, standing in that circle in front of expectant eyes, feeling the pressure of three — going on four — 3A state softball championships.

"I had butterflies the whole game," the sophomore said.

Then, in the top of the sixth inning of the Bears' semifinal against Canyon View, she was in the batter's box, where she no longer had to worry what the Falcons' sluggers might do to a wayward pitch. Theurer smacked a double that bounced over the fence at Little Valley Softball Complex, scoring Morgan Summers for the go-ahead run as Bear River went on to win 2-0.

Nothing remedies nerves like a late-game lead.

"The way we've been hitting the last two weeks," coach Calvin Bingham said, "I thought we'd finally break it open at some point."

The Bears will await the Saturday morning winner of Canyon View and Union to see who they will play for a possible fourth straight title. One more win and Bear River will become the first Utah high school softball team to win four consecutive titles since Bingham did it from 1991 to 1994.

"Our seniors this year deserve another state championship," Theurer said.

While Theurer held Canyon View's powerful offense scoreless, she was bailed her out by her teammates in the final inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Marlee Mecham threw out Ginessa Delange at the plate, while shortstop Kelli Smart robbed Canyon View's Kassidy Carter of an RBI line drive on a play that ended the game.

Union 3, Manti 1 • The Cougars dropped their first game in St. George on Thursday, 4-2 to Canyon View, but have advanced through the consolation bracket, including three wins Friday, to a point where Saturday they have a chance at revenge — and the state championship.

Union will get another shot at Canyon View in the consolation semifinal, and then would have to beat Bear River twice to claim the 3A state title.

Brandi Percival, who had a double and an RBI single in Union's win over Manti, said losing to the Falcons left a bad taste in the mouth of the Cougars, who won Region 10.

"I think that loss really woke us up," she said, "and just made us come together as a team and work harder."

boram@sltrib.com

Twitter: @oramb —

Highlights

R Sophomore pitcher Jordan Theurer strikes out five and hits the go-ahead double in the sixth inning to lead Bear River.

• The Bears could become the first team in 17 years to win four straight titles. —

Schedule

P Saturday, at Little Valley, St. George

9:30 a.m. • Union vs. Canyon View

Noon • Union/Canyon View winner vs. Bear River

Note • Team from consolation bracket must beat Bear River twice to win state championship. —

Photo galleries

O For photo galleries of Friday's state tournaments, visit

www.tribpreps.com