High school baseball: Desert Hills storms back from 8 runs down to steal Game 1 victory in 4A state championship

Desert Hills players celebrate a home run as they and Snow Canyon play in game one of the 4A State baseball Championships at Kearns’ Gates Field on Friday, May 15, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

When top-seeded Snow Canyon put up seven runs in the third inning to take a 9-1 lead over No. 2 Desert Hills in Game 1 of the 4A state baseball championship series Friday, it sure seemed like Snow Canyon was well on its way to a comfortable victory.

Desert Hills and head coach Jagun Leavitt had other ideas, as they stormed back to grab the victory 12-11.

“As soon as they put up seven, we got everybody together and said, ‘Hey, we’ve had to come back from a big deficit before. We’ll do it again,’” Leavitt said.

“So, you know, there was never a doubt. The kids believed, and we got the job done today.”

The offensive fireworks were on full display from both teams. Desert Hills had 13 hits on the night, while Snow Canyon had 15.

“We knew it would be offensive,” Leavitt said. “Snow Canyon swings the bat really well and we’re hitting it really well right now, too, so it didn’t surprise me, but it was a really fun game to be a part of.”

Desert Hills went yard three times, with Asher Williams, Briggs Fillmore and Cohen Fuller each getting clutch home runs. Snow Canyon was led at the plate by catcher Kade Kelsch, who went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the defeat.

After finding itself in the huge hole, Desert Hills proceeded to score 11 runs in the final four innings, while its pitching held Snow Canyon to just two runs the rest of the way.

“As long as we are not swinging at balls and we’re staying disciplined, we’re OK,” Leavitt said. “If they throw a fastball on the edge, a pitcher’s pitch, it’s OK, because we know someone’s gonna miss right where we want it, and that’s where we really have to connect on the ball, so that’s what we’ve been training all year.”

Desert Hills has one game left to win before it can call itself champion, but seeing the joy and excitement his players are having right now gives Leavitt the belief that his team might be able to pull off something really special.