No. 13 Trailblazer Softball hosts CSU-Pueblo to open RMAC play

2020 Dixie State Softball
#13 Dixie State (12-2, 0-0 RMAC) vs. CSU-Pueblo (0-10, 0-0 RMAC)
Karl Brooks Field; St. George, Utah
Feb. 23-24, 2020

Game Times (Mountain):
Sunday (DH) - 12 p.m. / 2 p.m.
Monday (DH) - 11 a.m. / 1 p.m.

No. 13 Dixie State softball is set to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play this weekend, hosting CSU-Pueblo for four games at Karl Brooks Field.

The Trailblazers (12-2) and Thunderwolves (0-10) will open the four-game set with a doubleheader at Noon on Sunday before closing the series with a second doubleheader at 11 a.m. on Monday.

Live video and live stats will provided for all games. Links for both can be found at www.dixiestateathletics.com.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY: The RMAC-opening series between Dixie State and CSU-Pueblo was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, but with heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday, the decision was made to push the series back by a full day.

ALL-TIME VS. CSU-PUEBLO: Sunday's series-opening game marks the 10th meeting between Dixie State and CSU-Pueblo. The teams first met on Feb. 7, 2014, at the Las Vegas Desert Stinger tournament. DSU won the inaugural matchup, 8-0, and defeated the Thunderwolves, 11-1, the following year at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, sparking a nine-game win streak for DSU in the series. The Trailblazers swept a four-game RMAC series from the Thunderwolves last year in Pueblo to push the overall series lead to 9-0.

KNOW YOUR FOE: CSU-Pueblo enters the weekend with an 0-10 record after playing at the Lubbock (Texas) Sports College Invitational and the Edmond (Oklahoma) Regional Festival II tournament. Two CSUP players are hitting .400 or better, led by senior outfielder Sabrina Felix, who is hitting .500 (15-30) with 6 RBI, four doubles, and a triple. Senior infielder Gabby Moreno is hitting .400 (12-30) with 5 RBI and three doubles. Senior Hannah Anderson leads the Thunderwolves in the pitcher's circle and holds a 6.56 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched.

HOME, SWEET HOME: Since Randy Simkins began his NCAA Division II-era tenure as head coach at DSU in 2010, the Trailblazers have posted a 219-38 (.852) record at home, including a perfect 26-0 mark in 2015. Additionally, the Trailblazers won have 20 or more games at home in each of the last seven seasons (2013-19).

IN THE RANKINGS: After posting a 12-2 start to the 2020 season, the Trailblazers debuted at No. 13 in Wednesday's edition of the NFCA Division II Top-25 poll.

NON-CONFERENCE NUGGETS: After dropping the first game of the 2020 season, Dixie State has won 12 of its last 13 games to end non-conference play with a 12-2 record. The Trailblazers have started with an 12-2 mark or better only three other times (2009, 2017, 2018) in the NCAA Division II era.

COMEBACK KIDS: The Trailblazers recorded three comeback wins last week at the Cactus Classic, defeating No. 2 Texas A&M-Kingsville, West Texas A&M, and Southern Nazarene after trailing by multiple runs in the fifth inning or later.

DSU TABBED AS RMAC PRESEASON FAVORITE: For the second consecutive season, the Trailblazers have been selected as the RMAC preseason favorite. Dixie State came in atop the 2020 Preseason Poll after receiving seven out of a possible 13 first-place votes to garner a total of 133 points. DSU edged out Colorado Mesa in the poll, which received three first-place votes and earned 131 points. Colorado Christian landed at No. 3 with two first-place votes, while MSU Denver and Colorado School of Mines rounded out the top-5 at fourth and fifth. Junior pitcher Cambrie Hazel, sophomore pitcher Carissa Burgess, and junior infielder Mikaela Thomson were each named to the RMAC Preseason Players to Watch list.

THE SIMKINS FILE: Two-time Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year Randy Simkins is in his 12th season inside the Trailblazer dugout. In 11-plus seasons at DSU, Simkins has posted a 476-133 record (.782), leading the Trailblazers to four regular-season PacWest Conference championships and the 2019 RMAC Tournament title. Additionally, Simkins has led Dixie State to 11 consecutive NCAA Division II Regional appearances, including four Super-Region appearances and a berth in the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

2020 ROSTER: Dixie State returns seven starters from the 2019 squad, led by All-Region honoree Cambrie Hazel and Carissa Burgess.

Hazel garnered second team All-RMAC and All-Region honors as a sophomore during the 2019 season, closing the season with an 18-7 record and a 1.98 ERA. She was named RMAC Pitcher of the Week twice, and finished the year in the top-5 in the RMAC in six categories, including a conference-best 215 strikeouts. The 215 strikeouts also marked a DSU single-season record. Additionally, Hazel struck out 10 or more batters 10 times during the regular season and recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts against Regis on March 30. She also posted seven shutouts and limited opposing batters to a .177 average.

Burgess exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2019, earning an RMAC-best 23 wins (23-5 record), while posting a 2.46 ERA. Burgess logged 85 strikeouts and allowed just 26 walks in 159.2 innings pitched. Additionally, Burgess tossed 19 complete games and five shutouts.

Dixie State returns five other starters from the 2019 season, including junior infielder Mikaela Thomson (.323/30 H/21 RBI/3 HR/3 2B), senior outfielder Brenna Cornwall (.296/42 H/16 RBI/4 2B), sophomore outfielder Kasey Crawford (.263/36 H/18 RBI/3 2B/2 3B), senior infielder Kori Gahn (.246/32 H/30 RBI/7 HR/5 2B), and senior outfielder Riley Tyteca (.356/21 H/18 RBI/3 HR/3 2B).

The Trailblazers also return senior catcher Destiny Diaz, senior infielder Kirsten Quigley, junior infielder/catcher Meagan Anders, junior infielder Emma Sweet, redshirt sophomore outfielder Malory Eldredge, freshman pitcher Ashtyn Bauerle, sophomore outfielder Ashley Jones, and sophomore catcher Lindsay Allfillisch.

Seven new freshmen join the 2020 squad, including Shea Clements, Maile Maletta, Brylee Rudd, Kaylan Walker, Hannah Hughbanks, Laura Lockard, and Brianna Castellon.

UP NEXT: Dixie State takes its first RMAC road trip of the year next week, traveling to Denver for a pod series with Black Hills State and MSU Denver.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Brenna Cornwall: OF; 5' 7"; Senior; L/R

#3 Destiny Diaz: C/OF; 5' 3"; Senior; R/R

#17 Kori Gahn: 1B/3B; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#7 Kirsten Quigley: SS/3B; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#44 Riley Tyteca: OF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#24 Meagan Anders: SS/C; 5' 3"; Junior; L/R

#8 Cambrie Hazel: P; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#15 Emma Sweet: 2B/SS; 5' 6"; Junior; L/R

#21 Mikaela Thomson: 3B/1B; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#11 Malory Eldredge: OF; 5' 8"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#22 Brenna Cornwall
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#3 Destiny Diaz
: 5' 3"; Senior; R/R
: C/OF

#17 Kori Gahn
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: 1B/3B

#7 Kirsten Quigley
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: SS/3B

#44 Riley Tyteca
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#24 Meagan Anders
: 5' 3"; Junior; L/R
: SS/C

#8 Cambrie Hazel
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: P

#15 Emma Sweet
: 5' 6"; Junior; L/R
: 2B/SS

#21 Mikaela Thomson
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: 3B/1B

#11 Malory Eldredge
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/R
: OF