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Sonoma State University Athletics

Keeley Ray
Keeley Ray was one of four Seawolves to get a hit on Friday in Utah.
1
Sonoma State SSU 42-20
2
Winner Dixie State DSU 48-7
Sonoma State SSU
42-20
1
Final
2
Dixie State DSU
48-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Sonoma State SSU 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 1
Dixie State DSU 0 0 2 0 0 0 X 2 5 1

W: Duncan, M. (28-0) L: Llerena, Amanda (26-13)

Game Recap: Softball | | by Tyler Lobe, Sports Information Director

Seawolves Drop Nailbiter To Dixie In Super Regional Opener

SAINT GEORGE, Utah -- All three runs scored on Friday in the 2015 NCAA Division II West Super Regional in St. George, Utah were unearned, but it was host Dixie State to score two of the three runs -- a two-run home run in the third inning -- to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series over Sonoma State at Karl Brooks Field. 

The Seawolves (42-20) were able to get a run home in the sixth and put the tying run on second base with one out in the seventh, but the Red Storm (48-7) held on for the win.

To advance to next weekend's NCAA Division II Softball World Series in Oklahoma City, Sonoma State will need to win twice on Saturday.  First pitch is set for 12:00 pm Pacific Time (1:00 pm Mountain Time).

For the postgame interview with SSU head coach Jennifer Bridges and senior Amanda Rossetta, click here.

Just as expected, it was a duel between both starting pitchers -- Sonoma's Amanda Llerena and Dixie's Michelle Duncan.  The combined to allow nine hits and didn't give up a walk, striking out seven.  Llerena (26-13) accounted for six of the seven strikeouts, but the damage was done in the bottom of the third.  With two outs and no runners on, a slow comebacker by Janessa Bassett went in and out of Llerena's glove, and rushing to pick the ball up and throw Bassett out at first, Llerena couldn't get a grip on the ball and Bassett was safe.  Bassett then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Dixie's Nicole Chavez launched a two-run home run to left field to put the hosts up 2-0.

The Seawolves couldn't get anything going offensively until the top of the sixth inning when Jordann White led off with an infield single.  Alison Strycula came in to run for White, getting to second base on a sacrifice by Olivia Lucchese.  Ancia Purdy later popped out for the second out before Keeley Ray singled to the short stop, and on the play, Strycula attempted home and slid in safely as the catcher Marla Reiter couldn't hold on to the ball on her attempt to tag Strycula out.  Ray moved to second on the play, but was then thrown out at third base on a grounder to the left side by Mayleen Mazon, ending the inning.

In the seventh inning, Amanda Rossetta lifted a one-out double up and over the left fielder's glove, but Dixie State's pitcher, Duncan, induced a flyout and a groundout to end the game and remain undefeated at 28-0 in the pitching circle this season.