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West Valley City • When Spanish Fork softball team lost on the final day of the regular season to rival Springville, the reality was the top-ranked Dons didn't really lose all that much, as the region title was still theirs.

And, in fact, they may have gained much in the form of a couple of valuable lessons: 1. Don't be content with a small lead; and 2. How to dial in to the pitching of Springville ace Kaycie Jensen.

On Thursday, Spanish Fork rode the big stick of junior Kenzie Branch and the pitching of sophomore standout Cambree Hazel to a 7-1 victory over Springville in the finale of the 4A tournament's winners bracket.

With the win, the Dons move into the championship series Friday at 10 a.m.

"We've been playing together since we were 12 years old. This is what we've been waiting for. We need to keep our heads in it and just want it," said Branch, who clubbed a two-run homer in the fourth inning and then repeated that feat with another two-run blow in the sixth.

In a 3-1 loss to the Red Devils in their last meeting, Spanish Fork got a run in the first and held that slim 1-0 lead until Springville rallied in the sixth behind three misplayed bunts.

"We just learned that you can't let up," Branch said. "We got some base hits in that game, but not enough to take it. Because of that, that's how they came back."

This time, Spanish Fork (26-5) stepped on the gas.

After Branch's second homer, Cheyenne Dowley went deep for a solo shot and a 5-0 lead. Before the sixth inning was over, Dons cleanup hitter Taylor Miller launched a two-run home run off reliever Sadie Clark for a seven-run advantage.

Spanish Fork coach Don Andrews noted afterward that it was nice to have a bat like Branch's in the eighth spot of the lineup.

"What can I say? She's a violent swinger," Andrews said. "If you hit her bat, you may have made a mistake."

Against the other Region 8 playoff teams this season, Spanish Fork had never scored more than three runs in any contest.

Generally, it's been the pitching of Hazel that's been the Dons' primary weapon. The only blemish against Hazel on this day from Springville (26-5) was a home run from Maddy Daybell in the seventh, when the game was out of hand.

"This is pretty exciting. It's my first year being in the championship," said Hazel, who gave up two hits over the first six innings.

"We're gonna ride our horse until that horse collapses," Andrews said of his intent to pitch his young ace at least one more time. "They way she's pitching, I'd feel pretty stupid if I took her out." —

Spanish Fork 7, Springville 1

R Kenzie Branch socks a pair of two-run homers to account for Spanish Fork's first four runs of the game.

• Besides Branch's longball in the sixth, fellow Dons Cheyenne Dowley and Taylor Miller also clear the fence in the same inning.

• Spanish Fork pitcher Cambree Hazel surrenders just two hits until Springville's Maddy Daybell breaks up the shutout with a home run in the seventh. —

4A softball schedule

At Valley Softball Complex, West Valley City

THURSDAY

Winners bracket

• Spanish Fork 7, Springville 1

One-loss bracket

• Maple Mountain 14, Clearfield 4

• East 12, Bountiful 11

• Maple Mountain 15, East 1

• Maple Mountain 2, Springville 1

FRIDAY

Championship

• Spanish Fork vs. Maple Mountain, 10 a.m.

(Game 2, if necessary, will take place 15 minutes after conclusion of Game 1)