Young Golden Eagles Softball Squad Riding High into Region Play

Deseret Peak's softball team has turned its season around with a winning streak after a slow start.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:05am

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Deseret Peak's softball team, with just seven juniors and 11 sophomores and freshmen, has gone on a winning streak after starting the season 0-7. The young Golden Eagles squad has proven doubters wrong and is now challenging for the Region 11 title in the 4A classification.

Why it matters

Deseret Peak's surprising turnaround has them in contention for a region championship in their first year in the 4A classification, where they are up against established powers like the defending 4A champion Bear River Bears. The team's success has come despite being overlooked in preseason rankings.

The details

After losing their first seven games, the Golden Eagles have won six of their last seven, including a 7-6 thriller over local rival Stansbury. In that game, pitcher Jaelynn Woods struck out seven batters and the offense was led by Brenda Fonua's two-run triple. The team has been fueled by a 'chip on their shoulder' to prove the doubters wrong.

  • The Golden Eagles started the season 0-7 before turning things around in mid-March.
  • On March 26, Deseret Peak defeated Stansbury 7-6 in a close game.
  • The Golden Eagles' next game is against the Bear River Bears on March 31.

The players

Jaelynn Woods

The Golden Eagles' starting pitcher, who struck out seven batters in the win over Stansbury.

Brenda Fonua

A Golden Eagles player who hit a two-run triple to help extend the team's lead against Stansbury.

Blake Hervat

The head coach of the Deseret Peak softball team, who has guided the young squad to a surprising turnaround.

Bryn Leigh Jones

The Stansbury Stallions' pitcher, who threw seven innings and recorded seven strikeouts in the loss to Deseret Peak.

Taylor Fawson

The Deseret Peak centerfielder, who recorded two hits and drove in one run in the win over Stansbury.

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What they’re saying

“Deseret News came out with a poll, and it was coaches rankings, and we were ranked eighth out of eight teams. We have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder to go prove people wrong — [to] show everyone what we're capable of.”

— Blake Hervat, Head Coach

“In that last inning, it was really about staying composed. Softball is a game of momentum, and Stansbury did a great job building some in that moment. We didn't need to do anything extraordinary; we just needed to settle in and get back to playing our game.”

— Blake Hervat, Head Coach

“Rivalry games are just different, no matter what the records or rankings are. Both teams always have a real shot because of the energy and emotion involved. For a lot of our girls, this was their first time experiencing that and I thought they handled it really well.”

— Blake Hervat, Head Coach

“She's carried us big time and that's huge what she's done for us. I'm proud of the buy-in and commitment we're seeing from this group, and it's only the beginning. We're excited to keep building and see how much we can grow throughout the season.”

— Blake Hervat, Head Coach

What’s next

The Golden Eagles will face the Bear River Bears on March 31, which ended after press time. Deseret Peak will then take on the Tooele Buffaloes on Wednesday, April 1 at 3:30 p.m.

The takeaway

Deseret Peak's young softball squad has defied expectations with a surprising turnaround, winning six of their last seven games to put themselves in contention for the Region 11 title. The team's grit, composure, and standout pitching from Jaelynn Woods have fueled their success, proving that they shouldn't be counted out despite their inexperience.