Storm Run Over by the Blazers

Box Score SALEM, VA – Day two of the D2 Softball Championship didn't bode so well for the Dixie State softball team as Valdosta State 8-0 upended them in five innings on Friday night at the Moyer Sports Complex.

The Red Storm (50-9) lost for the first time since March 17 and had their 27-game winning streak snapped.

Coach Randy Simkins turned to Michelle Duncan (Gilbert, AZ/Gilbert High School) who has picked up six straight victories for the Red Storm.

The Blazers (47-14) threatened in the first inning after and infield single and a pair of walks, Duncan induced a line out to get to left field to pitch out of the jam.

In the second, Duncan allowed a solo home run to left center that gave VSU a 1-0 lead.

In the third frame the wheels started to fall of the train for DSU. An infield single followed by a walk and a sacrifice bunt moved runners into scoring position for the Blazers. The next pitch a sharp grounder was hit to the right side and the miscue allowed both runners to score as VSU extended their lead to 3-0.

Duncan would walk the next batter and Simkins was forced to go to his pen and Aryn Feickert (Lancaster, CA/Highland ). Feickert struck out the next two batters looking to end the threat.

Trailing 3-1, DSU was held hitless for the first three frames and Blazer pitcher Brianna Hancock had registered three strikeouts.

The stagnant Red Storm offense needed a spark and Courtney Sherwin (Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain High School) snapped the hitless snide with a single through the right side. After Mallory Paulson (Fruita, CO/Fruita Monument) struck out and Sheila Gelter (St. George, UT/Dixie High School) hit a laser at the third baseman, Marla Reiter (Rolinda, CA/Central High School) drew a two out walk. But Hancock retired Budge to end the inning.

VSU closed out the scoring in the bottom of the fourth with five runs, in large part due to wildness by Feickert who struggled to find the strike zone. An infield single, followed by a single to left plated the first run of the inning. Feickert then walked the next three batters, including one with the bases loaded to give the Blazers a 5-0 lead.

Fran Johnson added a sacrifice fly and a Morgan Butler single to right field plated the final two runs to give the Blazers an 8-0 lead.

DSU's final chance in the top of the fifth inning as Josey Hartman (Mapleton, UT/Maple Mountain) and Autumn Woodfall (Kaysville, UT/Davis High School) each struck out swinging and Chavez ended the game with a pop out to the shortstop.

The Red Storm will now drop into the loser's bracket and will need to win four three more games to reach the final and four to win it all. DSU plays tomorrow at 3 p.m. MT and awaits the winner of LIU Post and Westchester who play at 10 a.m.

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