Sonoma's Seven Stun Red Storm

Dixie State falls in West Region Opener

Breanna Egge on base during DSC's 3-run 6th inning

Box Score ROHNERT PARK, CA – A six-run lead slipped away from No. 7-seed Dixie State College on Friday afternoon in the bottom of the sixth inning giving host Sonoma State University, the West No. 2, a 7-6 victory in game two of the NCAA Softball West Regionals held at Seawolf Field.

The Red Storm held the Seawolves to one hit through the first five innings. Starting pitcher Brittnie Whipple retired 12 batters in a row before Sonoma's offensive outburst.

Dixie State took an initial lead in the third inning. Cassi Merrill (Calgary, Alberta/Foundations for the Future Charter Academy) reached on an error and Bailie Hicken (Cedar Hills. UT/Lone Peak High School) walked. With two on, senior Shantae Hunter (Idaho Falls. ID/Idaho Falls High School) singled to right plating Merrill for the Storm's first run. With a squeeze play, Breanna Egge (Las Vegas. NV/Centennial High School) scored Hicken and advanced to second when the base was left unoccupied. Ashley McFarland (Layton. UT/Layton High School) lined a single to left pushing Hunter across to give DSC a 3-0 cushion.

Another Sonoma error began the Red Storm sixth where three more runs crossed home. Egge's leadoff grounder snuck past the second base side. McFarland and Johnna Brown (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial ) each singled to left cashing in Egge for a 4-0 lead. Anna Cue (Murrieta Valley, CA/Murrieta Valley High School) capped the DSC scoring with a two-run triple down the left field line.

Sonoma State began their scoring spurt on a solo bomb to left by Janelle Arnold. Whipple then walked Simone Brandalise and surrendered consecutive singles to Rochelle Vanyi & Ashley Britton to load the bags. DP Ali Palermo tallied an RBI with a sacrifice fly to right-center. Skylynn Myers closed the gap with a two-run double to left. Whipple dealt another walk before Lauren Folta (Erda. UT/Tooele High School) entered the circle in relief.

Folta plunked Kayla Ledford with her first offering to reload the bags. After a force play at home recorded the second out, Brandalise brought home the go-ahead run with a sinking single to center. Folta (19-7) got tagged with the loss allowing a run on one hit in two-thirds of a frame. Whipple was charged with six earned runs on five hits over 5.1 innings.

Juliann Martinez (W, 21-8) retired the Storm in order in the seventh to complete the comeback.

McFarland led Dixie State at the plate with two hits. Myers paced the Seawolves going 2-for-3 and two RBI.

The loss drops Dixie State into an elimination battle on Saturday afternoon with Pacific West Conference foe Grand Canyon University. The Lopes fell to Chico State 5-4 in eight innings to open regional play. The winner of DSC/GCU will play again on Saturday at 5pm (MST) against the loser of the Sonoma State/Chico State game scheduled at 12 noon.

For more information on the 2010 NCAA Division-II Softball Tournament, visit Sonoma State's Tournament Central at www.sonomaseawolves.com.

Print Friendly Version