Dixie State came away with two victories in the double header with Western Athletic Conference foe, Tarleton State Friday afternoon. First, Dixie State came from behind to take an 8-7 win in eight innings and then powered through for a 7-1 victory in the second game.
How it happened: Dixie State got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a solo home run by Meagan Anders. Tarleton State didn't let that stand for long as the Texans were able to put up four runs from two hits and two errors to take a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Laura Lockard started things off with a double down the left field line. Malory Eldredge singled through the left side to put two runners in scoring position. Anders then sent a shot into right field for two RBIs before the inning closed out.
Fast forward to the bottom of the sixth inning, Dixie State trailed 7-4. Hannah Hughbanks and Mikaela Thomson started things off with singles to put a runner in scoring position. Shea Clements then singled for an RBI to start a two out rally. Oaklee Trapp then drew a walk to load up the bases. Kasey Crawford then singled for two RBIs to tie the game up as the sixth inning concluded.
The game went into extra innings and in the top of the eighth, Tarleton State had runners in scoring position and Dixie locked it down to prevent any runs. In the bottom of the eighth, Anders singled to get on base. Thomson laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position. Clements then singled to put runners on the corner. Crawford then came up with a walk-off single for the game winning RBI.
At the plate: Anders went 3-4 with three RBIs and one home run while Crawford went 3-5 with three RBIs. Dixie ended the game with eight runs from 17 hits. DSU drew three walks and had two strikeouts.
In the field: Dixie State had 24 putouts and nine assists. Clements and Thomson each had seven putouts.
In the circle: Carissa Burgess started in the circle for Dixie and pitched 5.1 innings. She gave up seven runs and seven hits. She had three walks and six strikeouts in the 28 batters faced.
Kate Dolinski came in and closed out the game pitching 2.2 innings. She gave up three hits and no runs in the 10 batters faced.
GAME TWO -
How it happened: The first two innings went scoreless for both teams. In the top of the third inning, Tarleton put up one run from two hits. Dixie State answered in the bottom of the third. With two runners on base, Clements singled for an RBI.
Thomson then doubled to left field for two RBIs. Eldredege then singled for another RBI and as the third inning closed out the Trailblazers had a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, with two outs, Anders singled through the left side. Thomson then doubled for an RBI. With Thomson in scoring position, Trapp singled up the middle for an RBI. The fourth inning closed and DSU had a 6-1 lead over the Texans.
In the bottom of the fifth, Crawford started the inning with a single. Lockard then doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Hughbanks then had a sac fly to score Crawford to put the Blazers up 7-1.
The Trailblazers locked down on defense and pushed forward to take the 7-1 win.
At the plate: Thomson led Dixie State going 2-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs. The Trailblazers ended with seven runs from nine hits. Dixie State drew five walks and didn't have a single strikeout.
In the field: The Trailblazers ended the game with 21 putouts. Thomson and Clements each had nine putouts for the game high.
In the circle: Ashtyn Bauerle pitched a complete seven inning game for Dixie State. She gave up one run and five hits. She had two walks and three strikeouts
Notes to know: Dixie State is now 15-15 overall on the season and are now 3-2 in WAC action.
Up Next: DSU will take on Tarleton State again tomorrow in the annual Stand Up to Cancer game before hosting the University of Utah April 6-7.
