The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Syracuse Titans

2024 overall and region record (9-12) (4-6)

Head coach: Kelly Anderson

The Syracuse Titans are a team ready to do something special in 2025. They bring back a solid group of veterans, and this group has the firepower to win shootouts and break open-close games. The Titans senior class is a talented group of players and leaders, with Jaidyn Franco, Olivia Harker, Jazmine Prathan, Grace Thomas, and Brooklyn Sackolwicz. These players have played together for many years and are ready to leave their legacy at Syracuse High School.

“This group of seniors have played a lot of games for Syracuse High,” Head coach Kelly Anderson said. “Each year they have gotten better as players and leaders. My hope is they will continue to grow both in and off the field.”

Franco has committed to continuing her education and playing softball at Lafayette College. Franco plays catcher, infield, and outfield positions, and her ability to calm the team down or light a fire in them is remarkable. Harker is a Salt Lake Community College commit and batted .418 last season with a team-leading five home runs.

Jaidyn Franco

Prathan returns at shortstop and is one of the state’s best players. Prathan is an outstanding athlete with great range and quickness in the field. At the plate, Prathan has 14 career home runs and led the team with a .522 on-base percentage last season. Prathan is also committed to being a Bruin at Salt Lake Community College.

Grace Thomas, who played third base last year, brings toughness and all-out effort to the team. As a junior, Thomas batted .403 with 29 hits and is committed to Snow College. Brooklyn Sackolwitz had a fantastic jump from her sophomore year at the plate; her batting average went from .170 to .309. Sackolwitz played excellent at first base and also hit two home runs.

Coach Anderson will depend on seniors Hannah Reed and Brielle Pierce to fill much-needed roles on the team.

“Hannah is a great role player, and those are vital for a team to be successful,” coach Anderson said. “If she accepts the role she will be given, she will succeed. Brielle will do anything asked of her as a player. She too will be asked to take on a specific role with this team, and if so, she will have a great year.”

Sophomore Oaklee Derrickson was impressive as a freshman, batting .292 with 19 hits.

Players to watch

Olivia Brown, junior

Eryn Hamblin, sophomore

Kali Ellis, sophomore

Key loss

Jacee Hammon (Colby Community College)

photos courtesy of James Tate