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Utah Tech University Athletics

SB - Gonzalez vs. SUU
Stan Plewe/Utah Tech Athletics
4
Southern Utah SUU 4-16
5
Winner Dixie State DX-SB 27-7
Southern Utah SUU
4-16
4
Final
5
Dixie State DX-SB
27-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Southern Utah SUU 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 4 10 1
Dixie State DX-SB 1 0 0 0 4 0 X 5 10 0

W: Barkwell, Alexis (5-1) L: WYNN, Hanna (2-4)

Game Recap: Softball | | By DSU Athletics Media Relations

No. 20 Softball defeats Southern Utah Wednesday, 5-4

Jessica Gonzalez two-run home run highlights four-run fifth inning for DSU

On a blustery night at Karl Brooks Field, No. 20 Dixie State softball looked to get back in the win column after dropping its final game of a 10-game Hawaii trip on Sunday. And it did just that.

The Trailblazers (27-7) used a big fifth inning, including a Bailey Gaffin (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge HS) 2 RBI-single and a two-run home run by Jessica Gonzalez (Kingsburg, Calif./Kingsburg HS), en route to a 5-4 win over the Thunderbirds (4-16). The win pushed DSU's series lead to 15-9 over SUU, as the teams met in St. George for the first time since 2013.

After retiring the SUU side in order, Dixie State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Janessa Bassett (Stansbury Park, Utah/Stansbury HS) drew a leadoff walk, but was thrown out at second when Bailey Gaffin (Glendale, Ariz./Mountain Ridge HS) reached on a fielder's choice. Gaffin then moved to second when Mallory Paulson (Fruita, Colo./Fruita Monument HS) singled up the middle, and scored when Kenzie Sawyer (Cedar City, Utah/Canyon View) singled to the same spot to give DSU a 1-0 lead.

The Trailblazers broke the game open with four runs on five hits in the fifth inning. Brenna Hinck (Tremonton, Utah/Bear River HS) opened the frame with a leadoff double down the left field line, then moved to third when Josey Hartman (Mapleton, Utah/Maple Mountain HS) delivered a perfect bunt-single down the first base line. Hartman then stole second, and scored along with Hinck when Gaffin drove a 2 RBI-single up the middle and advanced to second on a throw to the plate. After Kaitlyn Delange (Cedar City, Utah/Canyon View HS) entered as a pinch runner for Gaffin, Gonzalez stepped to the plate and made sure Delange didn't have to wait long on the bases. Gonzalez worked the count to 2-0, then crushed the third pitch over the center field wall for her 10th home run of the season, pushing the lead to 5-0.

The Thunderbirds answered with two home runs of their own, as Javlyn Weaver hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning, and Karlee Manzione blasted a two-run home run in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4. Weaver returned to the plate after the Manzione home run and drew a two-out walk. But Alexis Barkwell (San Diego, Calif./North Medford HS) forced the next SUU batter to pop up to shortstop, where Hartman settled under the ball and made the catch to seal the win for Dixie State.

Hinck and Hartman each turned in 2-for-3 performances to lead DSU at the plate, while Paulson finished at 2-for-4. Gaffin and Gonzalez each finished at 1-for-3, but only needed one hit each to tally a combined 4 RBI. Sawyer also logged a 1-for-2 performance with an RBI. Barkwell improved to 5-1 in the pitcher's circle, allowing four runs in her in second complete-game victory of the season.

The Trailblazers now turn their attention to a pivotal PacWest series vs. Azusa Pacific on Friday (3 p.m./5 p.m.) and Saturday (Noon/2 p.m.) at Karl Brooks Field.
 
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