Sunday, May 11, 2014

ST. GEORGE, Utah - Central Washington was eliminated from the NCAA Division II Softball West Regional Sunday by second-seed Dixie State losing to the Red Storm 8-0.

The Wildcats finished tied for third in the eight-team regional, which was played as two four-team sub-regionals.  Top-seed Cal State Monterey Bay won the other sub-regional and will host Dixie State in a best-of-three series next weekend.

CWU freshman designated hitter Kailyn Campbell had a spectacular regional batting .500 (7-of-14) and driving in 10 runs. 

Among her seven hits were a pair of doubles and a grand slam home run in Saturday's 10-1 win over UC San Diego which propelled the Wildcats into the sub-regional championship game.

Another freshman, right fielder Sammy Morris had seven hits in 13 at bats.

CWU split its four regional games, losing twice to Dixie and defeating CCCA champion Humboldt State and UCSD. 

In Sunday's game, Dixie jumped on top early scoring twice in the top of the first inning, four times in the second and two in the fourth.

Catcher Courtney Shine hit two home runs and drove in five runs and pitcher Michelle Duncan blanked the Wildcats on six hits in the five-inning contest.  Morris and shortstop Taylor Ferleman each had two hits to lead CWU.

CWU completed its season with a 32-20 record.  Morris edged Campbell for the team batting title by one point (.352 to .351).  Second baseman Jill McDaniels had team highs for home runs (11) and RBI (43).

Campbell's 10 RBIs in the regional brought her season total to 41.