Sweep it is for the No. 25 Red Storm

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ST. GEORGE, Utah – The No. 25 ranked Dixie State University softball team extended its winning streak to five games with a weekend sweep of University of Hawaii at Hilo. The Red Storm cruised to a 6-0 win in the opener and a 5-3 win in the finale on Sunday at Karl Brooks Field.

The Red Storm (27-8/15-5 PWC) used a solid pitching performance from Aryn Feickert (Lancaster, CA/Highland ) in the 6-0 defeat of the Vulcans (15-13/10-9 PWC). She pitched her second shutout in as many days, allowing seven hits and striking out four batters.

The DSU offense scored in two separate innings, both times they tallied three runs. In the fourth inning, a bunt single by Bailee Freeland (Ogden, UT/Bonneville High School), followed by a double to left center by Autumn Woodfall (Kaysville, UT/Davis High School) put two runners in scoring position for the Storm.

Josey Hartman (Mapleton, UT/Maple Mountain) followed with an RBI single to left field to give DSU a 1-0 lead. The second run scored on an RBI sacrifice squeeze bunt single by Brooke Budge (Springville, UT/Springville High School) in which Hartman, who was at second, continued to run as they tried to retire Budge at first base. She would end up scoring as they retired Budge at second base giving DSU a 3-0 lead.

In the sixth inning, the Storm added three more runs via two Hilo miscues and an RBI bases load walk for Courtney Sherwin (Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain High School).

With two outs in the inning and runners at second and third, Freeland appeared to end the inning with a ground ball to the third baseman, where she fielded and threw to second baseman Brittany Huff at first base for the third out of the inning. But as the teams where leaving the field, the Red Storm appealed Huff's proper reentry into the game and where successful and the umpires gave DSU an additional life. Woodfall followed with an RBI single to the shortstop up the middle to give them a 6-0 lead.

Sheila Gelter (St. George, UT/Dixie High School), Freeland, and Woodfall each had two hits for DSU.

GAME TWO

With the opener in the books, the Red Storm turned to freshman Brooklyn Beardshear (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro) in the circle to try and bring home the sweep and secure them a tiebreaker advantage over California Baptist if the teams remained tied atop the Pacific West standings. CBU won three out of four against the Vulcans.

The Vulcans struck first with two runs in the top of the first. Kristina Victa led the inning off with a double down the left field line, followed by a walk to the NCAA leading hitter Rebecca Lee. A wild pitch and two singles later had the UHH leading 2-0 after a half inning.

DSU finally struck in it's second at bat of the game, Sherwin reached on an error by the shortstop and Marla Reiter (Rolinda, CA/Central High School) followed with a double to left field. Woodfall followed with an RBI groundout to second to cut the lead to 2-1.

Hartman followed with an infield single on a high chopper that the shortstop three into the dugout scoring the second DSU run and moving Hartman second base. Budge then guided one up the middle for and RBI single, followed by and RBI triple for Chavez to give DSU a 4-2 advantage.

The Vulcans responded in the top of the third inning when Lee singled to center field and an Emily Greene single to center followed by a two base error allowed the run to score and cut the DSU lead to 4-3.

DSU added a much needed insurance run in the sixth inning when Freeland led the inning off with a walk and Hartman added an RBI double to left center to score the final DSU run of the game.

Beardshear secured her third win of the season by allowing seven hits, three runs, two earned, and striking out two.

Hartman finished with two hits and two RBI in the final game.

Dixie State has eight days off before welcoming Chaminade University to Karl Brooks Field on Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1.

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