1 / 6

Syracuse's Eryn Hamblin (11) and Grace Thomas (18) meet near home plate during region game versus Davis on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Syracuse.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

2 / 6

Davis High's Jewel Korth veers toward home plate during a region softball game at Syracuse on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Syracuse.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

3 / 6

Syracuse's Haydin Giatras delivers a pitch during a region softball game versus Davis on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Syracuse.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

4 / 6

Davis High's Campbell Christensen (26) eyes her pitch during a region softball game at Syracuse on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Syracuse.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

5 / 6

Davis High's Riley Jaques watches for a signal during a region softball game at Syracuse on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Syracuse.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

6 / 6

An umpire dusts off the third-base bag during a region softball game between Davis and Syracuse on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Syracuse.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

❮ ❯

SYRACUSE — With the bags full, Grace Thomas didn’t overthink it. Syracuse’s senior third baseman had already homered against Davis ace Serena Roth in the third and now faced Roth for a fourth time in the seventh inning with no outs and the bags filled.

Thomas bombed Roth’s high-and-out pitch over the left-center wall for a grand slam — the first she can recall of her four-year career — for her second home run of the day and third of the season. Down by as many as five runs, Syracuse now trailed just 11-10 in the final frame.

With the bomb, Thomas improved to a perfect 4 for 4 versus Roth (4-6), collecting eight RBIs during those trips to the plate.

“I like to keep it simple in the box,” Thomas said. “I don’t like to think too much about it. I like to attack early, see that first-pitch strike and that’s what I did.”

Roth walked one to put the game-tying run aboard after the Thomas slam, but struck out Brielle Pierce and Brooklyn Sackolwitz to stave off the Titans on the road for their first win since March 26 at Viewmont.

Thomas’ game-high eight RBIs were instrumental for Syracuse (8-5, 0-1 Region 1), taking a 5-3 lead thanks to a two-run shot off the senior’s bat in the third.

Davis (6-6, 1-0) tallied 15 total hits and 11 RBIs, including a team-high four RBIs ushered by Cambell Christensen. The Davis sophomore cranked a three-run homer off Titans starter Haydin Giatras — her third of the season — in the fifth inning for a 7-5 Darts lead.

Roth didn’t catch Thomas in the seventh but cleared seven innings with 10 runs allowed on 12 hits with 10 strikeouts.

“We had trouble getting (Thomas) out the whole game — she was awesome,” Street said. “But Serena kept her composure and was able to get those last three outs, and that was huge.”

A freshman Giatras (6-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits and recorded just one strikeout in five innings. Asked about her first season with Giatras, Thomas said the newcomer’s battles with deep opponents such as Davis will only pay dividends in the young arm’s future.

“She’s already improved so much this season, so I’m excited to see what else she does,” Thomas said.

As a team, Syracuse finished with 12 total hits and 10 RBIs in its second consecutive loss following a 19-5 home defeat to Bear River before spring break. Thomas said the time off allowed for a reset and the bats reflected as much on Tuesday.

“We’re right there,” Thomas said. “I think we clean up a few things and we’ll be there. We had a few practices here and there, but I feel like it’s a good way to reset and take your mind off some things for a minute.”

On Thursday, Syracuse travels to Layton and Davis hosts Fremont. Both games begin at 3:30 p.m.

Connect with sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.