Dixie State 4 Utah Valley 3
Utah Valley 120 000 000 - 3 6 1
Dixie State 100 020 00X - 4 5 1
Ehat and Weingarten. Lesko, Shephard-2, Fox-7, and Udy.
WP-Shepard (1-2). LP-Ehat (4-5). 2b: Weingarten-UV,
Lancaster-UV, Albino-UV, Jordison-D, Pullins-D, Swanson-D.
ST. GEORGE - Dixie State College took advantage of Utah Valley State College's miscues in the field to post a 4-3 decision in the title game of the Region 18 Tournament Saturday.
The Rebels managed only five hits on the day, and did not have an RBI. They also benefited from an unusual call that took a run off the board for UVSC.
In the third inning, with UVSC leading 3-1, Austin Carter apparently ripped a run-scoring triple down the right field line, a liner that appeared to be a good foot inside the chalk line. But, in a bizarre ruling, the play was called back because one umpire had called the ball fair and another called it foul. After a heated argument, the run was taken off the board and Carter was sent back to the plate. He eventually walked, but UVSC was unable to score, as Jacob Reynolds struck out and Ben Saylor grounded out.
In fact, the Wolverines were unable to score the rest of the way. Dixie relievers Matt Shepard and Ben Fox shut them down.
Dixie managed to get its runs in an unconventional manner. UVSC pitcher Taylor Ehat threw exceptionally well, except for three wild pitches. Unfortunately for him, all three came with runners at third base, and all three runners scampered home. The other Rebel run came on a UVSC error with two out in the third. So, all four Rebel runs came as a result of UVSC miscues.
With the win, Dixie State improved to 44-11 on the year and advanced to next weekend's District Playoffs in Arizona. UVSC's season ended at 31-22.