When her team needed her the most, Spanish Fork's Kailey Christensen answered the call with a gritty and gutsy performance.

Facing elimination against Mountain Crest and Tooele (twice) in the 4A state softball tournament, the pitcher went the distance in all three games and propelled her team to a state championship.

While Christensen's overall record of 16-3 was among the best in 4A and a noteworthy accomplishment, it was her stalwart performance in the postseason that defined her as The Salt Lake Tribune's Class 4A MVP.

"It was just a phenomenal experience all the way around," said Christensen, who pitched almost every inning of Spanish Fork's eight tournament games and was named the 4A tournament MVP.

"I thought the team played well, [and I'm] proud of their hard work."

But the season could have just as easily ended in frustration for the Dons.

After being upset by Mountain Crest in the third round, the team tumbled into the one-loss bracket and had no room for error.

Christensen was the driving force behind the team's comeback. On the final day of the tournament, the junior claimed three must-win games, including a 6-5 victory against Tooele that clinched the title for Spanish Fork.

Christensen said she didn't win the championship by herself.

Senior catcher Lyndsey Healey hit the go-ahead home run in the win against Tooele and made most of the pitching calls. Healey's leadership was like having another coach on the field, Christensen said.

"I still don't know how I did it," she added.

"I think that last game, I was just running on adrenaline. If you just give it all you have, then you can't have any regrets." —

The teams

All-State softball teams (pdf) • http://bit.ly/l8WEX6

All-State softball MVPs (pdf) • http://bit.ly/lRAmQJ

Class 4A first team

Catcher • Marissa Mendenhall, Sr., Tooele

First base • Lexi Guild, Jr., Bountiful

Second base • McKinley Brinkerhoff, Fr., Spanish Fork

Third base • Karlee Manzione, So., Stansbury

Shortstop • Maddy Schulz, Sr., Uintah

Utility • Lyndsey Healey, Sr., Spanish Fork

Outfielder • Kylie Wolf, Jr., Spanish Fork

Outfielder • Kenzie Rasmussen, So., Mountain Crest

Outfielder • Hadli Sorensen, Jr., Tooele

Outfielder • Kortney Law, Sr., Box Elder

Pitcher • Taylor Craven, Sr., Uintah

Pitcher • Whitney Holt, Sr., Tooele

Pitcher • Taylor Allman, So., Provo

Pitcher • Jordan Smith, So., Mountain Crest

Class 4A second team

Catcher • Britta Bankhead, Sr., Mountain Crest

First base • Lauren Frailey, Fr., Tooele

Second base • Stephanie Likos, Sr., Snow Canyon

Third base • Megan Bradshaw, Jr., Mountain View

Shortstop • Hailey Ingram, Jr., Salem Hills

Utility • Kelli Hales, Jr., Spanish Fork

Outfielder • Kelsey Simmonds, Sr., Bountiful

Outfielder • Jerika Durfey, Jr., Salem Hills

Outfielder • Katelyn Robinson, So., Stansbury

Outfielder • Kelli Fox, Sr., Woods Cross

Pitcher • Miranda Stokes, Sr., Box Elder

Pitcher • Amber Hancock, Sr., Bonneville

Pitcher • Belle Stoddard, So., Bountiful

Pitcher • Aleesha Herrera, Sr., Stansbury