ST. GEORGE — It wasn’t the win they anticipated would be their first Division I postseason victory, but the Utah Tech women’s softball team and head coach Randy Simkins will take it.
Facing elimination from the Western Athletic Conference post-season softball tournament in Phoenix, Arizona, Thursday, the top-seeded Trailblazers held off No. 7 UT-Arlington 6-4 to advance to Friday’s third round. Earlier in the day, however, Utah Tech found itself on the losing end of a 3-0 score, falling to No. 4 Seattle U.
The Trailblazers now turn their attention to Stephen F. Austin. Game time is Friday at 5 p.m. MDT.
“First D1 postseason win in program history,” Simkins wrote in a text to St. George News. “Hope to keep it rolling and play well today. After an obvious, emotional win last night, we are excited for today.”
Senior starting pitcher Kate Dolinski (12-6), who took the loss in the Trailblazers’ tournament opener, likely will be in the circle against SFA in the loser-out game, Simkins said.
Dolinski pitched a complete game Thursday, allowing two earned runs on five hits. Redhawk starter Stefanie Madrigal (W, 18-9) retired nine of the first 10 Blazer hitters she faced through the first three innings and limited Utah Tech to five total hits on the day.
“We just couldn’t get Kate the run support she needed,” Simkins said.
In the elimination game Thursday evening, Trailblazer freshman Sauren Garton (13-5) also went the distance, firing 157 pitches and scattering 13 hits over seven innings. Utah Tech gave her run support, eventually going up 5-1 after five innings.
“We played well early and carried that momentum throughout the game with almost no drop-off,” Simkins said. “Both pitchers Kate Dolinski and Sauren Garton pitched very well.”
Utah Tech ‘s LB Kahahawai-Kekona stole home on the back end of a double steal, and the freshman crossed the plate again two innings later on a two-out Hannah Hughbanks double for a 3-0 lead.
UT-Arlington got on the board with a single run in the third. But in the top of the fourth with Almeida at first base, Blazer catcher Rachel Campbell connected for her team-leading eighth homer of the season to stretch the Blazer lead to 5-1.
But again, the Mavericks battled back and closed the margin to 5-3 after six innings. But WAC Player of the Year Shea Clements provided an important insurance run in the top of the seventh, hitting her seventh homer of the year to make it 6-3.
UT-Arlington staged a rally in the final half inning, plating a single run. But Garton shut the door, the final out coming on a ground-out to shortstop Almeida.
The Blazers tallied 12 hits in the win, with two apiece coming from Almeida, Campbell, Windle and Kahahawai-Kekona.
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