Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAINT GEORGE, UT-The Dixie State College Softball crept closer to a second consecutive post season birth today by sweeping a doubleheader over Notre Dame de Namur University 6-4 and 6-4.

With the Red Storm trailing 4-3 and what appeared to be the third out of the inning on Katelyn Nelson line drive to the shortstop that doubled up pinch runner Beth Pearson (Pioche, NV/Lincoln County High School). Pearson was called out by the second base umpire and the Argonauts would leave the field thinking the inning was over.

But, DSC head coach Randy Simkins felt he saw the play differently and appealed to the other two umpires for help. After what seemed an eternity, the umpires ruled that Argonaut second baseman Jessica Long was bobbling the ball when Peasrson slid back into the bag and they called NDNU back to the field.

Enter Cassi Merrill (Calgary, Alberta/Foundations for the Future Charter Academy), she deposited the first pitch from Sammy McCovney over the center field fence for a two run home run that gave the Red Storm dramatic come from behind 5-4 lead.

Earlier in the inning, Ashley McFarland (Layton. UT/Layton High School) lead off the inning doubling to left center and Johnna Brown (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial ) followed with a double of her own to left center to plate the Red Storm's third run of the game.

After Merrill's heroic act, Bailie Hicken (Cedar Hills. UT/Lone Peak High School) singled to left field and then stole second base, her 38th of the season. The red hot Shantae Hunter (Idaho Falls. ID/Idaho Falls High School) singled up to left field scoring the speedy Hicken from second base giving DSC a 6-4 lead.

Starting pitcher Lauren Folta (Erda. UT/Tooele High School) would retire the side in the top of the seventh to improve to 15-5 on the year. The win matched her 2009 total and gave her 30 victories in two years as a Red Storm. Folta was not her sharp self, allowing 11 hits and four runs, but only one of which was earned.

Hunter, Brown and Merrill each finished with two hits a piece in the victory.

GAME TWO-DSC 6 NDNU 4: In game two, the Red Storm would jump out to an early 4-1 lead, only to have the Argonauts come storming back when Mary Ortega would double to right field with the bases loaded tying the game at four a piece through four innings.

The Red Storm took the lead in the 2nd inning on a solo home run to center field from Ashley McFarland (Layton. UT/Layton High School).

Then in the bottom of 3rd, Kourtnie Schlacter (Mira Loma. CA/Jurupa Valley High School) led off the inning with a double to center and Bree Egge would trade places with her on a double of her own. Kelsey Mendenhall (Tooele. UT/Tooele High School) would then hit her 10th home run of the year building the lead to 4-1.

After NDNU battled back, Dixie State would get two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Bree Egge single and an errant throw from the NDNU catcher.

Starting pitcher Brittnie Whipple pitched a complete game 7 hitter and like Folta in game one only allowed one earned run on the day. She threw a 126 pitches picking up her 11th win of the year.

The same two team play a doubleheader tomorrow at Karl Brooks Field at 3:00 PM.

NOTES: The NCAA West Region poll was released today and Dixie State jumped two spots from #9 to #7. Other PacWest schools are #1 Hawaii Pacific, #2 Grand Canyon, #5 Hawaii Hilo.

(April 12, 2010) - Player of the Week (April 5-11)...Breanna Egge (Las Vegas. NV/Centennial High School) - Dixie State (Jr., 5-4, C, R/R, Las Vegas, NV/Centennial)...led Dixie State to a crucial 3-1 series win over Grand Canyon during the week...hit .500 in four starts by going 6 for 12 with a home run and a double...drove in 10 runs and scored seven others...walked four times and dropped a sacrifice bunt...stole one base...posted an electric .833 slugging rate and a .625 on-base mark.