SAINT GEORGE, UT-After settling for a split on day one of the series between Dixie State College and Grand Canyon, the #9 Red Storm were looking to make up some ground against the NCAA West Region's #3 team. The Red Storm did just that by winning game one 16-11 and taking game two 6-2.

 

Dixie State's (24-11, 13-5 PWC) Brittnie Whipple pitched a complete game allowing nine hits but only two runs while striking out five. Whipple improved to 10-6 on the year.

 

The Red Storm jumped out on top in the first when Breanna Egge (Las Vegas. NV/Centennial High School) doubled to right center scoring Bailie Hicken (Cedar Hills. UT/Lone Peak High School) who singled to lead-off the game. Kelsey Mendenhall (Tooele. UT/Tooele High School) would then single to center and Egge would cross home on a throwing error by the centerfielder.

 

In the top of the second, Katleyn Nelson reached on an error by the shortstop and would advance on a Cassie Merrill fielder's choice in which both runners were safe. Hicken would pick up a bunt single to load the bases for the Red Storm. Shantae Hunter (Idaho Falls. ID/Idaho Falls High School) would ground out to short scoring Nelson from third base and leaving runners at second third.

 

Egge would step to the plate and deposit the next pitch over the left field fence for her fifth home run of the year and collect her fourth RBI of the game.

 

The Antelopes (34-11, 15-9 PWC) would pick up a couple of runs in the bottom half of the sixth, but Whipple would pitch out of a jam with runners on second and third. In the fifth GCU left three runners on base and Whipple was able to pitch out of both jams to collect the win. In both innings, Nelson would make game saving plays in centerfield to seal the deal.

 

Hicken, Mendenhall, Nelson and Anna Cue (Murrieta Valley, CA/Murrieta Valley High School) each had two hits for the Red Storm. Leading the way for GCU was Kelli Bridges with two hits.

 

Game One: DSC 16 GCU 11- In a game that featured little pitching, Lauren Folta (Erda. UT/Tooele High School) was able to withstand the 17 hits and 11 runs scored by the Antelopes and was able to pitch a complete game throwing 176 pitches to improve to 14-5 on the year.

 

Dixie State pounded out 18 hits of their own and scored 16 runs to back their pitcher up.

 

Mendenhall went had three hits, two of which were home runs and four RBI. Hicken collected four hits and score three runs and Hunter, Egge, Ashley McFarland (Layton. UT/Layton High School), Cue and Merrill would each have two hits.

 

The Red Storm scored seven runs in the fourth and five runs in the seventh to sweep the day.

 

For Grand Canyon, Nikki Lorenzi collected three hits and seven other players would have two in the loss.

 

Dixie State College will play host to Notre Dame de Namur University on Wednesday and Thursday this week at Karl Brooks Field. The doubleheaders both days are scheduled for 3:00 PM.