Jordan Theurer didn't get frustrated her freshman season at Bear River when she didn't get to throw a pitch.
Theurer was stuck behind two dominant seniors — Nicole Johnson and Josie Summers — who were pitching the Bears to another state championship.
"I was only a freshman, so that was understandable," said Theurer, who just finished her sophomore season.
"It was good for me because I could watch them and learn from what they were doing."
That experience paid off this season, as Theurer went 17-3 with a 1.83 earned run average and pitched every inning of the postseason as Bear River clinched its fourth consecutive state championship.
Her performance makes her The Tribune's MVP in Class 3A.
"I knew she was going to be an outstanding player," Bear River coach Calvin Bingham said, "but I wasn't sure she was going to have the kind of year that she had."
Bingham said Theurer, who has played competitive softball since the age of 8, is not simply a pitcher — she is an all-around softball player.
Theurer hit a team-best .517 with 32 runs batted in and a team-high 11 doubles. Bingham also said Theurer is the best defensive pitcher he has coached.
It was her performance at the plate and in the circle that helped Bear River overcome a 3-3 start to finish the season 24-4, capped by an extra-inning victory against Canyon View in the championship game.
"Kelli [Smart] came up to me after the game and goes, 'We did it!' " Theurer said, recalling the title game celebration. "We just started screaming. Everyone was just so excited." —
The teams
All-State softball teams (pdf) • http://bit.ly/l8WEX6
All-State softball MVPs (pdf) • http://bit.ly/lRAmQJ
Class 3A first team
Catcher • Markette Tanner, Sr., Emery
First base • Shauni Owens, Jr., Bear River
Second base • Kassi Fronk, Jr., Bear River
Third base • Brandi Percival, Sr., Union
Shortstop • Kelli Smart, Sr., Bear River
Utility • Abby Hatch, Jr., Manti
Outfielder • Kamee Christensen, Sr., Manti
Outfielder • Laura Snow, Sr., Grantsville
Outfielder • Morgan Summers, Jr., Bear River
Outfielder • Rachel Nakken, Sr., Cedar
Pitcher • Tauni McFarlane, Sr., Manti
Pitcher • Alyssa Potter, Sr., Canyon View
Pitcher • Kaycee Prevedel, Sr., Union
Pitcher • Natalie Peterson, Sr., Grantsville
Class 3A second team
Catcher • Tyree Hatamoto, Jr., Bear River
First base • Shantel Ison, Sr., N. Sanpete
Second base • Josie Platt, Fr., Canyon View
Third base • Megan Tubbs, Sr., Carbon
Shortstop • Kylie Schmitke, Sr., Juan Diego
Utility • Mariah Shepard, Sr., Grantsville
Outfielder • Shalise Connary, Sr., Union
Outfielder • Presley Whetman, Jr., Juan Diego
Outfielder • Alex Hansen, Sr., Desert Hills
Outfielder • Miranda Stevens, Sr., Manti
Pitcher • Whitney Titus, Sr., Morgan
Pitcher • Kenzie Cave, Sr., Carbon
Pitcher • Erin Fitzpatrick, Jr., Juan Diego
Pitcher • Whitney Fields, Fr., Grantsville
