The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Syracuse Titans 2025 softball team entered the season with an experienced team ready to compete for a region championship and be one of the top teams in the 6A class. This season also marks the final campaign for Head Coach Kelly Anderson and a group of dedicated seniors: Jaidyn Franco, Jazmine Prathan, Brooklyn Salkowitz, Grace Thomas, Olivia Harker, Brielle Pierce, and Hannah Reed. Coach Anderson is eager to see this team achieve its goals and set a benchmark for future Titan squads.

“This group of seniors has played many games for Syracuse High. Each year, they have gotten better as players and leaders,” Coach Anderson said. “My hope is that they will continue to grow both on and off the field. For this program to continue growing, they need to be the best examples to the underclass. I believe that the best teams are player-led and hold each other accountable. They need to bring a great attitude and effort to everything we do to succeed.”

With only one senior on last year’s team, this group of veterans play vital roles for a team looking to capture its first region championship since 2018. The blend of these seniors and a talented group of one junior, five sophomores, and eight freshmen has the Titans ready to compete and be a force in Region 1 and the state championship tournament.

Jaidyn Franco

Franco has committed to continuing her education and playing softball at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania after high school. A four-year starter for the Titans, Franco has played in over 70 career games at Syracuse and carried a .369 batting average entering the season. Franco was recognized for being on the 2024 All-Region second team and the 2023 Standard-Examiner All-Area softball second team.

A true team leader who elevates her teammates, Franco plays multiple positions and displays an understanding of the game that inspires the team every game.

“Jaidyn is the glue to the whole team,” coach Anderson said. “We need Jaidyn to take a bigger role in leadership if we are to achieve the goals that they have set for this season.”

Franco understands that being a leader is not about being loud or right every time, but about treating teammates well and encouraging and believing in them.

“One thing that I want the younger girls to know is how important it is to be a good teammate,” Franco said. “My definition of being a good teammate is being kind, supportive, and understanding. Picking each other up in the lows and cheering each other on in the highs. Listen to your coaches and teammates and apply what you are asked. Taking accountability and having respect for everyone on/off the field.” 

Franco has been a valuable member of the Utah Avalanche competitive travel team for many years, positively influencing players across the state. Under the guidance of head coach Kiley Crockett, Franco and athletes from various high schools in Utah have had the opportunity to enhance their skills, compete against high-level opponents, and attract the attention of college recruiters nationwide.

“I play for Utah Avalanche Sky 18U,” Franco said. “Without this team, my recruiting process would have been much harder. I am grateful for what my coaches, Sky and Rae, have helped me with. Their support to prepare my teammates and me for college has been a journey. Our summers have always been busy. This last year, in the first 3 weeks of our summer, we traveled to Arizona, Las Vegas, and California. We played in one local tournament in Kaysville and left to play in Colorado for a full week. After Colorado, we had a little less than two weeks before we left for California again for PGF Nationals. It’s a lot, but being able to experience this with my best friends makes the grind so worth it. Seeing my teammates succeed after the hard work that they’ve put in is such an amazing feeling. Getting to celebrate with them is even better! I would not be where I am now without my family’s support to play the sport I love with the people I love.”

Jazmine Prathan

Prathan exploded onto the scene as a sophomore, batting .525 with 12 home runs. Prathan has consistently performed at a high level and led the team’s progress over the past three years. A tough hitter to get out, Prathan has an excellent eye at the plate, outstanding power, and is a gifted athlete.

Prathan earned First-Team All-Region honors and was part of the 2024 Standard-Examiner All-Area first team. One of the most talented overall players in the state, Prathan’s play at shortstop is exciting with her range and ability to cover ground quickly.

“Jazmine hasn’t even scratched the surface of her potential,” coach Anderson said. “I hope she takes advantage of this opportunity to improve her immense talent. We need her to lead both on and off the field.”

Prathan is a fierce competitor. She is confident in her abilities and knows she is the spark the team needs in clutch moments. A tireless worker on and off the field, Prathan shows her entire squad what it takes to reach playing at an elite level.

“I hope that my younger teammates, including my little sister, take my confidence from my game and put it into their own way,” Prathan said. “Without having the gamer mentality and confidence, your game can only go so far. Thinking you can play is just as powerful as actually performing. Walking on the field with the presence of a gamer will make these girls perform.”

Prathan has committed to continuing her education and playing college softball at Salt Lake Community College. She is excited about the opportunity to be a Bruin after high school.

“My recruitment process started on my class’ recruitment day, September 1st, of my junior year,” Prathan said. “Multiple schools reached out to me throughout that fall and spring. I went on a couple of visits, SLCC being one of them. In the end, SLCC is going to give me the best opportunity and structure to become the D1 player that I am and strive to be.”

Olivia Harker

Harker will join Prathan at SLCC to continue her education and play softball after high school. A smooth-fielding second baseman and a quick outfielder for the Titans, Harker is a veteran player with over 70 games of experience.

She had a breakout year at the plate during her junior season, batting .418 and leading the Titans with five home runs and 29 runs scored. Her solid performance in the field, coupled with her leadership, is precisely what the Titans expect from her each game.

“Olivia has the opportunity to be one of the very best players to wear the Titan uniform,” Coach Anderson said.

Harker earned Second Team All-Region honors as a junior and is aiming for an even better senior season, hoping it will culminate in a region championship. As the ultimate teammate, Harker competes fiercely, supports her fellow players, and does whatever it takes to succeed.

Brooklyn Sackolwitz

Sackolwitz turned the corner at the plate last season, closing with a .317 batting average, up from hitting .170 as a sophomore. She had a great summer and is on pace for a better senior season for the Titans. Her outstanding play at first base brings stability to an impressive Titans defense. Sackolwitz earned Second-Team All-Region honors last season.

“In the off-season, I focused a lot on my physical health to make me more athletic,” Sackolwitz said. “Doing this it also helped me with discipline and determination. I focused a lot on my mental game to make sure I was prepared for the season and made myself comfortable in uncomfortable moments.”

Having played varsity softball since her freshman year, Sackolwitz is nearing 80 games played at Syracuse.

“Brooklyn has probably grown the most as a player from her freshman year to now,” Coach Anderson said. “We need her to have the confidence in herself that we have in her as a player.”

Sackolwitz has a bright future and her relentless drive and commitment to improve is remarkable. She credits her family and coaches for their unwavering support throughout her journey.

“I would not be the player I am today without the support of my parents,” Sackolwitz said. “They have been at every single game and have supported me since day one. I want to thank my grandparents and my aunts Angie and Jamie. I want to thank my high school coaches and my competition coaches, because without them I would be lost and I wouldn’t love the game of softball. I’m so grateful for all of the friendships and memories that softball has given me and I can’t wait to keep grinding this season with my teammates. GO CUSE!!”

Sackolwitz is eager to help bring a region championship to Syracuse before graduation.

“Winning region, my senior year, would mean so much,” Sackolwitz said. “It would mean so much to go out knowing we left everything on the field and bringing home a region championship for us and our coach. It’s his last year, so it would be amazing if we could win the region for him and us.”

In addition to excelling on the field, Sackolwitz shines academically. She plans to continue her education after high school.

“After high school, I plan to get my bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Weber State University,” Sackolwitz said.

Grace Thomas

Thomas is a multi-talented star for the Titans at third base. Also a standout performer on the basketball court, Thomas is enjoying a breakout year on the softball field. Thomas and the other seniors know each other so well that they can play fast and understand each other’s strengths on the field.

“I have loved playing with this group of girls for the amount of time I have,” Thomas said. “I think we are such a special group because having playing so long together, we have grown such a close bond on and off the field which brings us together during stressful or tough situations in games.”

Thomas is leading Region 1 in batting with a .703 average and leads the team with a .711 on-base percentage. A career .438 hitter, Thomas has hit safely in all games this season. Thomas is a do-it-all player, who brings a toughness to the Titans team. Thomas’ great summer and off-season work have her on an excellent pace for an outstanding season.

“Grace is so solid. We need her to play a bigger role in leadership and become even more consistent with her play,” Coach Anderson said.

Thomas is committed to continuing her education and playing softball at Snow College after high school. Her competitive softball team, Utah Avalanche, has helped her improve her game each year.

“In the past few fall seasons, my comp team has scrimmaged jucos in the area, including Snow, SLCC, and CSI,” Thomas said. “This was a great way to expose myself and get to know the coaches. My Avalanche coaches would push us to reach out to every school and attend as many camps as possible to gain exposure.”

Before heading to Snow College, Thomas is determined to help the Titans achieve their goal of winning a Region 1 title this season.

“Bringing a region championship to Syracuse would mean so much,” Thomas said. “Our team has been working incredibly hard this year, and winning a region championship is something our softball program hasn’t accomplished in a while.”

Brielle Pierce and Hannah Reed

Pierce has committed to North Platte Community College to continue her education and play softball after high school. A great defensive catcher, Pierce has stepped up her game this season and is giving the Titans a boost while Franco recovers from an off-season injury.

“Brielle will do anything asked of her as a player,” Coach Anderson said. “She too will be asked to take on a certain role with this team, and if so, she will have a great year.”

Reed has established herself as a key player for the Titans. She can be counted on to step onto the field and be ready for any situation. Often used as a pinch runner, Reed has showcased her speed on the bases and in the outfield.

“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.”

Head Coach Kelly Anderson

Coach Anderson will conclude his tenure as the head coach of the Titans at the end of the season. He has achieved 235 career wins and is the only head coach in the history of the Titans. Coach Anderson is highly respected throughout the state and embodies the spirit of being a Syracuse Titan.

“Playing for Coach Andy has been a great experience. He has helped me become a better player and a better person,” Thomas said.

Coach Anderson is supported by an exceptional staff of assistant coaches, Kristy Knight and Jesse Jones.

“Coaches Anderson, Knight, and Jones really changed the game of softball for me after my freshman year,” Franco said. “They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. They gave me the confidence I needed. I have a lot of respect for them and the way they run this program. My relationship with them is something I will always value on and off the field. Their impact on me has really changed the game for me.”

photos courtesy of James Tate

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