ST. GEORGE — We’re almost halfway through region play in girls softball and two very offensive-minded teams are emerging as the teams to beat. Snow Canyon scored 11 runs and dominated at home against Canyon View and Cedar hit its average of seven runs per game in a win over Desert Hills. Dixie also emerged victorious with another fine defensive performance. Here’s a recap of the day’s events:
Snow Canyon 11, Canyon View 3
The Warriors continue to rack up big run totals, scoring in nearly every inning against the Lady Falcons.
Shelbee Hutchings hit yet another home run, her third in the last four games, as SC jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Hutchings’ 3-run shot in the bottom of the third helped build that advantage.
Canyon View put together a rally in the top of the fourth, plating three runs behind the hard hitting of sisters Kaitlyn and Kylie DeLange. CV had four hits and a walk in the inning, including a double by Kaitlyn DeLange.
But Snow Canyon came up with a run in the bottom of that inning, another in the fifth and then four more in the sixth to push the game out of reach.
“We had a little bit of an issue in the fourth,” SC coach Tracee Heaton said. “But it was big for us that we came out and got a run or two back right away.”
Hutchings, a senior third baseman, has been pounding the ball as of late. It’s a product of hard work, teammate Sonya Hardy said.
“She’s been working her butt off cause it’s senior year and it’s important to her,” Hardy said. “She’s going all out every game cause she knows this is it for her. I’m proud of her for that.”
The whole team has been striking the ball well. The Warriors have scored 10 runs or more in eight of their 10 games, all wins.
“We’re doing a really good job of getting ahead in counts, like I said the other day,” Heaton said. “Patience is key. Every team hits the ball better when they’re ahead in the count.”
Lauren Brown had a two-run single and Camryn Johnson also knocked one in during the four-run sixth, with Hardy starting the rally and eventually scoring after a lead-off single.
Hardy finished the game with three hits and four runs scored, while Hutchings had two hits and three RBIs. SC also stole five bases and pitcher Heather Prestwich struck out 12 batters, allowing just one walk.
Snow Canyon, 9-1 overall and 4-1 in region, is a half-game behind Cedar for the region lead. Cedar has a bye next Tuesday while SC plays at last-place Hurricane.
The Falcons, 4-8 and 3-2, host Pine View next Tuesday.
Stats: cvsc4115
Cedar 7, Desert Hills 4
The Lady Reds held onto first place in region with the tight win over the Thunder.
Desert Hills had the tying run on base in the seventh inning with just one out, but Cedar pitcher Marinn Whitney worked out of trouble and The Reds were able to emerge with the win.
D-Hills actually out-hit Cedar 13-8, but left 14 runners on base through the course of the game. Shelby Reynolds led the charge with three hits and a pair of RBIs.
The Weaver sisters, Javlyn and Dream, both hit the ball out of the park for Cedar, which improved to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in region play.
The Thunder, 4-11 and 1-4, got two hits each from Rilee Stookey, Ashley Lund and Ashley File.
Cedar has a bye Tuesday and is at Pine View next Thursday night. Desert Hills hosts Dixie Tuesday and Snow Canyon Thursday.
Stats: ceddh4115
Dixie 11, Hurricane 0
Summer Simkins pitched her second consecutive shutout with another gem against the Tigers. She allowed just one hit and has not allowed a run in 13 consecutive innings.
Unlike Tuesday’s 1-0 nailbiter against Pine View, the Dixie offense scored early and often vs. the Tigers. The Flyers put three home in both the first and second innings for a 6-0 lead and pushed the lead to 11-0 with a five-spot in the fourth. Three outs later, the 10-run mercy rule was invoked and DHS had won its second straight game after a six-game losing streak.
Simkins also helped her cause with a run-scoring triple and Aubri Challis also picked up a three-bagger for Dixie, which improved to 5-7 overall and 2-3 in region, a game out of fourth place. The Flyers are at Desert Hills next Tuesday afternoon.
Hurricane is suffering through a rough region season. The Lady Tigers were 7-3 in the preseason, but are now 0-5 in region play. Hurricane hosts Snow Canyon Tuesday.
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