Prep softball: Lloyd leads small-ball Clearfield to big win at Northridge
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- Clearfield High’s Jenna Lloyd throws a pitch in a softball game against Northridge on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Clearfield High’s Lilly Lara, left, attempts to tag Northridge’s Berklee Larsen (4) in a softball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Northridge High’s Makaybree Nay, right, records an out as teammate Madisyn Lecour (24) looks on during a game against Clearfield on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Clearfield High’s Skylar Davis swings at a Northridge pitch on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Northridge pitcher Kaylee Shirreffs winds up to throw in a game against Clearield on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Clearfield’s Lyla Leonhardt runs toward home in softball game against Northridge on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Northridge High’s Madisyn Lecour swings at a Clearfield pitch on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Clearfield’s Skylar Davis secures the ball for an out in a game against Northridge on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Northridge High’s Berklee Larsen runs the bases in a softball game against Clearfield on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
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- Clearfield High’s Abbie Hale runs the bases during a softball game against Northridge on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Layton.
LAYTON — Clearfield played small ball in a big way Thursday against Northridge.
The Falcons used 12 hits — 11 of them singles — plus 10 walks and countless stolen bases to run-rule the Knights 14-3 and sweep their Region 5 softball series.
“We scouted them and saw things where we knew we were going to be able to steal today,” Clearfield coach Kamie Hoggan said.
Clearfield (9-4, 6-1 Region 5) flew to an early 5-1 lead, cobbling together those five runs through two innings on two hits, five walks, four stolen bases and one Northridge error.
The Falcons scored three, two, one and three runs over the first five innings before putting up five in the sixth to kick in the run-rule, which means they tallied in five of the six innings. That’s one of their team goals.
“Two, three an inning; chip away;” Hoggan said. “We didn’t win one inning, so we had to come back and win the next one.”
Senior starting pitcher Jenna Lloyd gave up nine runs in the first two innings of Clearfield’s game against Northridge last month and came in with an attitude Thursday.
“That game was rough and this time I came in with a competitive mindset,” Lloyd said. “I needed to do this for my team. I needed to do better. My team had my back in the earlier game and I needed to step up.”
Lloyd credited freshman catcher Alexandra Bingham for her success in the circle.
“My catcher is there to help me a lot. I wouldn’t be able to do it without her,” Lloyd said. “She does an amazing job behind the plate, framing all my pitches.”
Bingham said she was just doing her job: “Be able to work with the pitcher and be able to be what they need for you in the game,” Bingham said.
Addyson Haddock hit a sacrifice fly to left field in both the first and second innings for RBIs, then scored a run in the fourth, making it 6-1 for the Falcons.
Northridge (5-7, 2-4) bounced back, cutting the lead to 6-3 in the fourth on a towering home run by third baseman Kaydence Chournos.
“Recently I’ve been struggling but before I came to this game, I had the mentality I was going to get a hit and it changed my swing a little bit,” Chournos said. “I think I read the ball on that one. It was right down the middle, so I took it and prayed that it went over, and it did.”
Clearfield countered with three runs in the fifth for a 9-3 edge, then the five-run sixth to close it out.
“Northridge has some bats on them; Jenna bounced back after the runs they scored and shut them down really quick,” Bingham said. “She’s awesome; she hits her spots all the time. She has a good attitude and stays pumped, never gives up.”
Lloyd scattered nine hits over the six innings, walked three and struck out six. She worked out of several tight jams as the Knights left nine runners on base.
“My dad taught me to have a mindset that when runners get on, just lock in on the batter and know I have to get this out before they advance,” Lloyd said.
While some in attendance wondered aloud about the strike zone, Lloyd didn’t criticize. She adapted.
“The strike zone is always hit and miss with the umpires. … Sometimes like today, you have an umpire who doesn’t like the outside corner so you don’t get those calls, but we figured it out,” Lloyd said. “If he’s not going to call the outside, I’ll stay inside.”
Northridge scored 10 runs in the first meeting with Clearfield but Lloyd had the upper hand Thursday.
“Our approach at bat was a lot different. We were more scared for some reason; kept dipping our shoulders and getting under the ball this time,” Chournos said. “If we change those things we can get back to how we played them the first time.”
Chournos coupled a single with her home run and right fielder Kiersten Carbone also had two hits for the Knights on Thursday.
For Clearfield, Bingham got four RBIs on three hits, Haddock drove in three, and Lloyd and third baseman Abbie Hale scored three runs each.
“Today their outfield was like, on the fence; I was making sure to just put it in play where I can’t get other people out,” Bingham said.
Sporting a very young team, Clearfield starts five freshmen (Bingham, Hale, left fielder Lyla Leonhardt, right fielder Emma Dishongh, shortstop Skylar Davis), and three sophomores (centerfielder Haddock, second baseman Lilly Lara, first baseman Brynn Nicholls) to back up Lloyd.
“They’re great kids. They have a lot of talent. They’re buying into what we’re teaching them and they’re sponges. The younger they are, the more open they are for you to coach them,” Hoggan said. “When you’re 14, it’s ‘OK, teach me everything.’
“Hopefully they have fun in a close and good environment. Sports is an escape from real life; leave things behind and just come and play ball.”
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