Dixie State picked up its first sweep of the season with two victories in Sunday's double header. First, Dixie State downed Northern Colorado in eight innings with a 5-4 score. Later, the Trailblazers took down the Wildcats of Weber State with a 3-1 score.
What Head Coach Randy Simkins said: "Our pitching staff threw great games today. Both Ashtyn and Carissa started and threw well. We were impressed with their efforts on a day three of a competitive tournament. We were consistent at the plate today and scored runs in different ways. Overall it's a great day to be a Trailblazer."
GAME 1
How it happened: Northern Colorado got on the board first by putting up two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
In the top of the third inning, Malory Eldredge pounded a double to left field for two RBIs to tie the game up. The Bears answered in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead.
Meagan Anders doubled in the top of the fifth to spark some offense for DSU. Hannah Hughbanks followed that up with a single up the middle for an RBI and to tie the game up 3-3. The game remained tied and the seventh inning came. The Bears and the Trailblazers went into extra innings for the second time on the weekend.
With a runner on third, Rachel Campbell homered deep over the left center fence for a two run shot in the top of the eighth inning to take a 5-3 lead over UNC.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Bears were able to sneak one run across the plate but Dixie State's defense locked down and secured the 5-4 victory for Dixie State.
At the plate: Dixie State was led by Campbell who had two hits from three at bats with two RBIs and two runs. Eldredge also had a great game at the plate with two hits from three at bats with two RBIs and two doubles.
In total, Dixie State had 31 at bats with five runs from nine hits. The Trailblazers had four doubles and one home run. DSU drew three walks, had five strikeouts and two stolen bases.
In the field: Dixie State had 24 putouts and nine assists. Thomson had the game high with 10 putouts. Kirsten Quigley had a great game on the defensive side with four assists.
In the circle: Ashtyn Bauerle started in the circle for Dixie State and pitched a complete eight innings. She gave up five hits, four runs, two errors and just one walk. She also ended the game with five strikeouts in the 33 batters faced.
GAME TWO -
How it happened: The first two innings went scoreless for both teams. In the bottom of the third inning, Anders homered to center field to put the Trailblazers on the board with a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Weber State put one runner on base. The next batter hit a ball to Anders on second who flicked it to Quigley waiting on the bag who then gunned it to Mikaela Thomson on first for a beautifully executed 463 double play.
Shea Clements started the bottom of the fourth off with a walk and then quickly snuck her way to second base. Kasey Crawford then singled up the middle scoring Clements for a 2-0 DSU lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Campbell singled up the middle to start things off. Anders followed that up with a single in the 56 hole to put a runner in scoring position. Hannah Hughbanks then drew a walk to load the bases up. Eldredge then singled up the middle for an RBI to give Dixie State a 3-0 lead after five complete innings.
Weber State took away the shutout in the top of the seventh inning thanks to a solo home run from Faith Hoe. WSU then put runners on the corners and the runner on first took off for second where Clements gunned her down for the second out of the inning. To end the game, Carissa Burgess came up with a strikeout to give Dixie State a 3-1 win over Weber State.
At the plate: Anders led DSU with two hits, one run, one RBI and one homer from her three at bats. Dixie State ended the game with three runs from six hits and three RBI. Dixie State also had one home run, drew three walks and had five strikeouts at the plate.
In the field: The Trailblazers ended the game with 21 putouts and nine assists. Thomson closed out eight outs while Burgess had three assists.
In the circle: Burgess pitched a full seven innings and gave up four hits, one run and three walks. She came away with five strikeouts in the 27 batters faced.
Notes to know: Dixie State has a 5-10 overall record now on the season.
Up Next: Dixie State is scheduled to play a three game series with UC Riverside March 5-6 before returning home for another tournament at Karl Brooks Field March 12-14 featuring Boise State, the University of Utah, Southern Utah and Weber State.
