The Trailblazers had not one but two big wins over UC Riverside Saturday afternoon. First, DSU took down the Highlanders 9-3 in game one and 13-0 in game two to put DSU on a five game winning streak.
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: The first three innings were scoreless for both squads. In the top of the fourth inning, Meagan Anders started things off with a walk. Hannah Hughbanks then laid down a sac bunt to put Anders in scoring position. Malory Eldredge then tripled to center field for an RBI. Eldredge later was able to cross the plate on a wild pitch. UCR came up with a run in the bottom of the fourth and as the game went into the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Highlanders took a 3-2 lead but the Trailblazers didn't let that stand for long. In the top of the sixth inning, Dixie State was able to capitalize on some UCR wild pitches to get runners around the bases and in scoring position. Shea Clements and Kasey Crawford had doubles in the top of the sixth for RBIs. Oaklee Trapp also had an RBI and the Blazers ended the sixth inning with five runs from three hits and no errors with one left on base.
In the top of the seventh inning, Anders sparked the momentum with a double to left center. Hughbanks followed that up with a homer to right field to push DSU's lead to 9-3.
At the plate: Dixie State was led by Hughbanks who had two hits from three at bats with three RBIs and two runs.
In total, Dixie State had 26 at bats with nine runs from six hits. The Trailblazers had eight RBIs, three doubles and one home run. DSU drew three walks, had five strikeouts and left just one runner on base.
In the field: Dixie State had 21 putouts and seven assists. Clements had the game high with 10 putouts. Mikaela Thomson also had six putouts to contribute to the Trailblazers defense.
In the circle: Carissa Burgess started in the circle for DSU and pitched seven complete innings. She gave up seven hits, three runs and three walks but had a season high of nine strikeouts in the 34 batters faced.
GAME TWO -
How it happened: Dixie State wasted no time getting across the plate. In the top of the first inning, Hughbanks started things off with a double down the right field line. Eldredge followed in suit with a single through the right side for an RBI. The bats kept rolling in the first as Clements and Thomson both got on base. As the first ended DSU had three runs from three hits and one error.
In the top of the third inning, Eldredge led off with a single and stole second. Thomson then homered to left center for 2 RBIs a 5-0 lead.
The fourth, fifth and sixth innings went scoreless but the Trailblazers went off in the top of the seventh. Dixie State loaded up the bases and Clements doubled down the left field line for two RBIs. Thomson then doubled for two RBIs. By the end of the top of seventh inning, DSU had eight runs from six hits for a 13-0 victory of UCR.
At the plate: Eldredge led DSU with three hits, three runs, three RBIs from five at bats.
Thomson went into beast mode with three hits from four at bats with two runs and six RBIs for the game high. Dixie State ended the game with 13 runs from 14 hits and 13 RBIs. Dixie State also had one home run, four doubles, drew six walks and had no strikeouts at the plate for the first time this year.
In the field: The Trailblazers ended the game with 21 putouts and 10 assists. Thomson and Hughbanks each had six putouts while
Kirsten Quigley, Anders and
Laura Lockard each had three assists.
In the circle: Ashtyn Bauerle pitched a full seven innings and gave up five hits, no runs and no walks. She came away with four strikeouts in the 28 batters faced.
Notes to know: Dixie State has a 7-10 overall record now on the season. The second game was Dixie State's first shutout of the year.
Up Next: Dixie State will finish out the three game series with UCR tomorrow 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.
