Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Utah Tech University Athletics

Bassett hit vs SMU
Julie Buchanan Photography
5
Saint Martin's SMU 41-19
7
Winner Dixie State DX-SB 45-7
Saint Martin's SMU
41-19
5
Final
7
Dixie State DX-SB
45-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Saint Martin's SMU 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 6 1
Dixie State DX-SB 1 0 1 0 2 3 X 7 11 1

W: Duncan, Michelle (25-0) L: Munger,Sam (23-6) S: Feickert, Aryn (1)

Game Recap: Softball | | John Potter, Media Relations Assistant

Offense sparks Dixie State regional win

Duncan wins 25th game, Chavez launches three-run HR

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Day one of the NCAA West 2 Regional was marred with lightning delays, but the final moments of Dixie State's opening round game against Saint Martin's provided a different type of spark. After building a 7-0 lead, Dixie State held off a last inning rally to defeat the Saints 7-5 and allow senior pitcher Michelle Duncan (Gilbert, AZ/Gilbert High School) to earn her 25th victory of the year without a defeat.
 
Second-seeded DSU moves to 45-7 with the win, while Saint Martin's, the seven seed, falls to 41-19. In the regional's opening game, California Baptist topped Chico State, 8-1, to set up a battle of the Pacific West schools in the winner's bracket game Friday at 11 a.m. SMU and Chico State will follow at 1:30 p.m. in an elimination contest.
 
Duncan allowed just one hit over her first six innings. She retired the first four batters of the game in just four pitches.
 
"It was nice to get out there and only throw a couple of pitches," Duncan said.
 
Dixie State was able to put up an early run before the first of two lightning delays hits. Senior outfielder Courtney Hine (San Dimas, CA/San Dimas High School) reached safely on a fielder's choice. With two outs, senior catcher Marla Reiter (Rolinda, CA/Central High School) blooped a single that fell out of the glove of a diving SMU outfielder. Running full speed with two outs, Hine was able to score from first base on the hit.
 
The lead expanded to 2-0 in the Dixie State half of the third inning. Freshman outfielder Janessa Bassett (Stansbury Park, UT/Stansbury Park) doubled into right center and advanced to third on an error. Protecting the plate with a two-strike count, senior infielder Nicole Chavez (Chino Hills, CA/Ayala High School) bounced a ground ball deep enough into the hole between first and second base to score Bassett.
 
The top of the lineup struck again two innings later. Bassett and Chavez both singled up the middle to set up senior outfielder Courtney Hine (San Dimas, CA/San Dimas High School).
 
"Courtney has the benefactor of more hitter's counts this year than anyone in the country," DSU head coach Randy Simkins said in the postgame conference. "If you get yourself into a hitter's count like that, you're going to be successful and she was."
 
On a 2-1 pitch, Hine pulled an inside offering from SMU starting pitcher Sam Munger down the left field line for a two-run double giving the Storm a 4-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Red Storm tacked on three more runs after a pair of one-out singles from sophomore shortstop Josie Hartman and Bassett. Chavez followed with her ninth home run of the year, a three-run shot to left field.
 
"It was inside and a little high," Chavez said. "I was excited to hit my pitch."
 
Saint Martin's rallied in the top of the seventh for five runs on five hits off of Duncan. Simkins made a change in the circle to junior Aryn Feickert (Lancaster, CA/Highland ) with the potential tying run at first base. After a wild pitch moved both SMU runners into scoring position, Feickert struck out Taviah Jenkins looking to end the game.
 
Duncan earned the win allowing six hits while offering two walks and striking out two. Feickert posted her first save of the season.
 
Six of the nine Red Storm starters recorded a base hit, led by Bassett and Chavez with three hits each.
 
With the win, Dixie State improved to 22-0 on the season at Karl Brooks Field.
 
 
Print Friendly Version