After so many years, it is almost expected that the MHS Dragon baseball and softball teams claim the title of District 5 2A Champions.  In fact, it might be bigger news if they lost.  Years of work, training, teaching, and dedication to their sport has demonstrated over and over again the talent and ability that these teams have.  Continuing their impressive streak, the Malad softball and baseball teams clinched the victory on Thursday, May 9.

The Dragons, led by Head Coach Bo Clark, easily claimed the number one spot in their tournament, beating Bear Lake twice.  In their first matchup, Malad only managed a 3-0 lead over the Bears.  But as they faced off for the second time, the Dragons stepped up to win with a commanding 13-2 lead.  The scoring started early as they put their run on the board in the opening inning.  They put some real distance between them in the second inning as they scored five more runs to make it 6-0.  Scoring in each of the remaining innings, the Dragons solidified their win and their place in the upcoming IHSAA 2A State Baseball Tournament.

The Lady Dragons, under Head Coach Bri Adams, won their 12th consecutive district championship title as they bested each of their district opponents.  Over their three games West Side, Bear Lake, and Soda Springs, the team tallied an impressive 41-1 score in only 13 innings.  The Lady Dragons will be the team to beat as they compete in Orofino, Idaho for their 5th state title.

“12-peat district champions.”  That is how MHS softball Head Coach Bri Adams described her team after they won the 2024 2A District 5 tournament, a tradition that has been a part of the Lady Dragon softball program for more than a decade.  

Throughout the tournament, Malad easily defeated all of the opposing tournament teams as they took down West Side 15-0, Bear Lake 11-1, and Soda Springs 15-0.  In their opening game against the Pirates, the Lady Dragons made it a short but sweet game as they stacked up 15 runs before the end of the third inning.  

Scoring seven runs in both the first and second inning, it only took a single run to end the game in the bottom of the third.  Hadley Summers, slap hitter for Malad, hit a line drive on her first pitch and made her way to second base on a West Side error.  Aubrey Shulz followed at bat to punch in Summers with a single line drive to second base.

Boston Combs pitched for the Lady Dragons as they went up against West Side, allowing 3 hits over the 3 innings game, walking 4 and striking out 1.  Hallie Horsley at first base contributed 4 putouts, with second baseman Brylee Oglesbee and Combs each adding 2. Adley Kimberling collected 3 hits in 3 at bats, scoring 2 runs and sending in 2 RBIs.  Brining some power, Kimberling hit a triple in the first inning and two doubles in the second.  

Bear Lake put up a bit more of a challenge as they played the Lady Dragons in their second game of the day.  Malad remained scoreless after the opening inning and only picked up a single run in the second and third innings.  But things began to pick up in the fourth as they strung together five runs on five hits, including home runs by Horsley, Riglee Peterson, and Kaitlyn Pickett.

The Bears picked up the only run against the Lady Dragons of the district tournament in the top of the fifth innings off a double to right field.  Liddia Gonzalez pitched against Bear Lake for the opening 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 7.  Freshman Gonzalez went an impressive 68-49 on her pitch to strike count against Bear Lake.  

In a surprising turn of events, Soda Springs snuck by Bear Lake to play against Malad in the championship game Thursday, May 9.  But they were still no match for the Lady Dragons as strung together 15 runs on 15 hits over the 4 inning game.

Peterson went 4 for 4 at the plate, including 2 home runs, a double and a single to score 2 runs and bat in 6 more.  Kimberling, Combs and Horsley each added their own home runs to the tally.  The slugfest really took off in the second inning as the Lady Dragons had 9 runs on 9 hits, including three of the five home runs of the game.

Logan Maroney led the team in putouts as she contributed 6 with 1 assist.  Horsley added 4 more outs at first base with Oglesbee and Pickett managing 1 putout each.  Peterson pitched the four inning game, allowing zero runs on 2 hits, walking zero and striking out 6.

With such a dominating season record as well as state titles, the Lady Dragons are headed to state with a large target on their backs.  Coach Adams shared, “We are the team to beat at a tournament that will have some really good teams there.  We have the talent and ability to win again, we just have to show up ready to play the game we love.  In the end, we play it because we love it.  We always do our best when it is about enjoying the game.”