Dixie State’s 7th-inning rally not enough in 8-6 softball loss to in-state rival BYU

Written by E. George Goold
April 26, 2022

ST. GEORGE — A large crowd was on hand at Karl Brooks Field on Tuesday evening as the Dixie State University softball team held its Military Appreciation Night during a game against in-state rival Brigham Young University.

Veterans and military families were admitted free to the game, which between innings featured memorials to winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Dixie State players who are related to military personnel were honored as well.

Cougars 8, Trailblazers 6

An entertaining contest saw BYU prevail after the Cougars connected for three home runs.

Dixie State got on the board first after freshman Shea Clements hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.

Dixie State hosts BYU in its Military Appreciation softball game, St. George, Utah, April 26, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Three different Cougars batters — Martha Epenesa, Taylei Williams and Huntyr Ava — hit two-run home runs as BYU took a 6-1 lead into the fifth inning, then led 6-2 going into the final frame.

After BYU tacked on two more insurance runs off three hits in the top of the seventh, the Trailblazers launched a furious rally.

Pinch hitter Phoebe Schultz blasted a three-run homer to cut BYU’s lead to 8-5.

Hannah Hughbanks, another freshman, followed with an RBI single for Dixie State, but that was as close as the home team would get before their side was finally retired.

Sophomore Kasey Crawford led Dixie’s effort at the plate going 2-for-4, scoring twice and driving in a run.

Left-hander Chloe Temples picked up the pitching win for BYU while Carissa Burgess was saddled with the loss for Dixie State.

The Trailblazers slipped to 16-28 overall on the season. They now hit the road for a weekend Western Athletic Conference series against Grand Canyon, starting Friday with a doubleheader.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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