by James Tate
The 2026 season has concluded with the Davis Darts finishing ranked #3 in the final MaxPreps 6A classification rankings, capping off a memorable run for the program. For four years, Serena Roth and Jewel Korth have been the foundation, heartbeat, and competitive edge of Davis High softball. Now, as 2026 graduates and future teammates at Salt Lake Community College, the two leave behind a legacy defined by championships, consistency, and a relentless commitment to elevating everyone around them.
Roth and Korth arrived at Davis as freshmen with talent, yes — but more importantly, with a willingness to work. They stepped into a varsity lineup during a period of transition and helped transform the program into a Region 1 powerhouse. Over their four seasons, Davis captured three Region 1 titles, a feat unmatched in program history. Their journey mirrors the identity of Davis softball: gritty, disciplined, and ready for big moments.
Serena Roth: The ace who set the tone
Every great team has a player who dictates the emotional temperature. For Davis High, that player was Serena Roth.
A four‑year starter in the circle, Roth became the Darts’ anchor, the pitcher who took the ball in every rivalry matchup, every postseason push, every moment that demanded composure. Her command, poise, and ability to rise to the occasion made her one of the most respected pitchers in Utah high school softball.
Roth’s leadership wasn’t loud. It was steady, predictable in the best possible way. Teammates fed off her calm, coaches trusted her implicitly, and opponents knew they were in for a long afternoon.
Her commitment to Salt Lake Community College is a natural next step: a competitive program that values pitchers who can shoulder responsibility and thrive in high‑leverage moments.
Evolving into a leader in the circle
Roth’s development over four years was defined by a shift in trust — in her teammates, in her preparation, and ultimately in herself. She remembers clearly what it felt like to step into the circle as a freshman, still figuring out how to carry the weight of being a varsity starter.
“As a freshman, I was a little nervous to start,” Roth said. “I wanted to represent my school and myself to the team, and I feel I didn’t put much trust in everything.”
That early uncertainty became the catalyst for her growth. With experience came a deeper belief in the people around her and a stronger sense of how to command the game.
“I have now learned to trust all of my teammates and my coaches and know that they will always get me out of a hole I need,” Roth said. “I’ve learned to have confidence from the get‑go and never let a team know if I am struggling.”
One of the biggest changes came in how she carries herself. Roth became intentional about projecting control, even in the toughest innings.
“I have worked a lot on body language to show that I control the game and I know what I am doing,” Roth said. “I’ve also learned to trust myself more than anything because I am the only one who knows the training and preparation.”
That evolution, from tentative freshman to composed, self‑assured ace, is what made her the emotional anchor of Davis softball. Her presence didn’t just steady the team; it shaped the program’s identity.
A career defined by dominance
Roth’s résumé is one of the strongest in Utah high school softball history. A three‑time Deseret News First Team All‑State selection (2024, 2025, and 2026) and the 2024 Standard‑Examiner All‑Area Softball Player of the Year, she built a statistical legacy that matches her reputation as Davis’ emotional anchor.
Across her four‑year varsity career, Roth recorded:
- 52 career wins — the mark of a true workhorse who consistently took the ball in the biggest moments
- 508 career strikeouts — a testament to her command, spin, and ability to finish hitters
- 3.29 career ERA — remarkable consistency against top competition
- A career‑high .396 batting average in 2026, along with four home runs
Her senior season wasn’t just her best; it was the kind of year that cements a player’s legacy. She became a true two‑way threat, pairing her most efficient pitching with her most productive offensive campaign.
A postseason performance for the ages
Roth’s defining moment came in the 2026 playoffs during a marathon showdown with Copper Hills, a game that showcased every dimension of her competitiveness. Across 11 innings, she allowed only three hits and struck out 14, a performance that kept Davis alive in one of the most intense battles of the postseason.
But she didn’t just dominate in the circle. Roth also delivered a crushing home run that shifted the momentum and proved critical in the Darts’ 4–3 victory.
That combination of endurance, power, and poise is why she’s considered a lock for most postseason awards once the 2026 selections are finalized.
A legacy that reaches beyond the circle
For all the wins, strikeouts, and clutch moments, Serena Roth’s greatest impact may be the one she leaves on the people around her. She became the kind of player younger athletes watched closely, not because she demanded attention, but because she modeled what it looks like to lead with consistency, humility, and purpose.
Her growth wasn’t a solo journey. Roth is quick to credit the people who shaped her, especially her year‑round comp team (Utah Core Athletics 08 Leary), which pushed her to elevate every part of her game.
“My comp team has played a major role in my development,” Roth said. “Competing at a high level year‑round sharpened my skills and taught me accountability. Those teammates pushed me to compete harder and stay disciplined. My teammates and coaches on my comp team have really shaped who I am today. I don’t think I would be the individual and player I am today without each of them. They have given me so much that I will never forget. #corelife”
That gratitude extends to everyone who stood beside her throughout her journey.
“I am grateful to my family, coaches, teammates, and community for supporting me throughout my journey,” Roth said. “None of these accomplishments happens alone. Representing my school and preparing for the next level is something I take seriously, and I am excited for what is ahead.”
Roth’s story is more than a stat line. It’s a blueprint for younger players who want to understand what true growth looks like, the daily discipline, the trust in preparation, the belief in teammates, and the willingness to evolve. Her influence will continue long after she leaves Davis, carried forward by the players she inspired and the standard she helped set.
Jewel Korth: The shortstop who redefined consistency
If Serena Roth was the heartbeat of Davis softball, Jewel Korth was the pulse, the steady rhythm that kept the Darts sharp, connected, and competitive every inning.
A four‑year starter at shortstop, Korth finished her career as one of the most complete players in Utah high school softball. Her defensive range, quickness, and instincts made her the infield’s anchor, while her offensive production made her one of the most accomplished hitters in program history.
After her senior season, Korth earned statewide respect as a 2026 Deseret News All-State First Team selection, 2025 Deseret News All‑State Second Team selection, and a 2025 Standard‑Examiner All‑Area Second Team honoree, recognition that validated her rising impact long before her final season.
By the end of her career, Korth had built an extraordinary offensive résumé:
- 167 career hits
- 146 runs scored
- 115 runs batted in
- 15 career home runs
- A career‑best .492 batting average as a senior
These numbers didn’t just reflect talent; they reflected reliability, growth, and a player who elevated her game every season.
A career built on precision and work ethic
The game’s evolution shaped Korth’s development at shortstop. As the sport grew faster and more competitive, she grew with it.
“Growing with the game has been a big part of my development,” Korth said. “Just like I have grown and evolved, so has the game. It’s faster, quicker, and continues to get more competitive.”
Shortstop wasn’t her first position, and she’s grateful for that.
“I started playing softball at a high level from a young age, but shortstop didn’t become my main spot until later in my career,” Korth said. “Getting to learn different positions that young helped my fundamentals and my IQ tremendously.”
The people around her fueled her growth.
“I have been blessed with amazing coaches and have been surrounded by great athletes that have pushed me for years, and I contribute a lot of my success to them.”
That commitment to detail earned her numerous on-field statewide recognitions, and ultimately a spot at Salt Lake Community College, where she’ll bring a dynamic, reliable presence to the Bruins’ middle infield.
Preparing for the demands of shortstop
Shortstop requires a rare blend of physical readiness and mental sharpness, something Korth embraced fully.
“Preparation is a big part of my game,” Korth said. “Preparation for me each game does not come just a few hours before; it is months of work in the gym, going to every practice, eating healthy, staying hydrated, and overall just taking care of my body.”
Her philosophy is simple: stay ready so you never have to get ready.
“I learned from a young age that the best way to stay in shape is to never get out of it, so that’s what I strive to do,” Korth said.
That physical preparation fuels her confidence.
“I know my body and what it needs to perform at its full potential, so that motivates me always to make sure I’m fueling it correctly,” Korth said. “This also helps me mentally because I know I have trained and am prepared for every moment.”
On game days, she keeps things calm and centered.
“I always play better when I am calm and loose, so listening to chill music and having fun with my teammates are some things I do before games to help me stay relaxed, focused, and ready,” Korth said.
A defining postseason moment
One of the signature moments of Korth’s career came in the playoffs against Pleasant Grove, a game loaded with pressure and history.
“We were highly doubted that year and voted to take last in our region,” Korth said. “We ended up winning the region and even the super regionals round of playoffs.”
That set the stage for Davis’ first‑ever playoff win at the complex.
“I played very well that game, including starting the game with a 3‑run home run and lots of key plays at shortstop,” Korth said. “This gave us momentum, and my teammates also played amazing to help keep the momentum strong.”
The final out became a moment she’ll never forget.
“They had runners on, and we had 2 outs, just needing one more to win,” Korth said. “The last hit was a hard line drive to my side. It wasn’t an easy catch, but I was willing to do anything to get that ball in my glove. I stretched out and made the catch to secure our first playoff win. That feeling of being the one to close out the game for my team and seeing them all run to me was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Choosing SLCC was a natural progression for Korth. The program’s competitive level, strong coaching staff, and proximity to home made it the ideal environment for her next chapter. It allows her family and friends, the people who have supported her from the beginning, to continue being part of her journey.
Leadership through consistency
As a senior, Korth embraced leadership not through speeches or spotlight moments, but through daily habits. She emphasized consistency, character, and trust, values she hoped would inspire younger players long after she graduated.
She wants the next generation to understand that success isn’t built on stats alone. It comes from preparation, discipline, and maintaining perspective, valuing effort and character above everything else.
Korth’s growth wasn’t just the product of talent and hard work; it was shaped by the people who poured into her journey. Her comp team, in particular, played a defining role in her development.
“My comp team has meant so much to me, both as a player and a person,” Korth said. “The relationships I’ve built with the girls, coaches, and their families are something I’ll cherish forever.”
They were the foundation of her love for the sport.
“They are the reason I fell in love with the game,” Korth said. “We have played hundreds of games together, but the memories I made with them are what I remember most.”
Her coaches played an equally important role.
“My coaches believed in me before I did and pushed me to work hard, stay disciplined, and never settle for less than my best,” Korth said. “I’m grateful not only for the softball lessons they taught me, but for the life lessons as well. I’ll carry those with me forever and can’t thank them enough for loving me like one of their own.”
Her gratitude extends to her Davis coaches, teammates, family, and friends, the community that supported her through every season, every challenge, and every milestone.
A legacy that lasts
As her high school career closes, Jewel Korth leaves behind more than stats or highlight plays. She leaves a blueprint, a model of consistency, character, and quiet excellence. She became the kind of player younger athletes watched, learned from, and tried to emulate.
Her final season wasn’t just a culmination; it was a statement. She finished strong, honored the program she loved, and left a legacy that will shape Davis softball for years to come.
photos courtesy of James Tate
The Hive Sports 
Leave a Reply