OKLAHOMA CITY – Senior Michelle Duncan tossed her second straight shutout of the championship as No. 4 Dixie State blanked Adelphi, 2-0, in the second winner’s bracket game (Game 6) of the 2015 NCAA Division II Championship, on a cool and wet Friday evening at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

 

With the victory, the Red Storm (51-7) earn a day off and a trip to the semifinals on Sunday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m. at OGE Energy Field. The Panthers (31-21) fall to the elimination bracket and will face the winner of game seven between North Georgia and St. Mary’s (Texas), tomorrow, May 23 at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Duncan improved to 31-0 with her strong performance in the circle. She scattered five hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Adelphi hurler Lindsay Mapes (19-10) held her own, putting forth another solid showing. In a complete game effort, she only allowed four hits, struck out six and walked two to keep her Panthers within striking distance.

Dixie State scored in the first and fourth innings. A bases loaded hit-by-pitch in the top of the first gave the Red Storm an early 1-0 lead. Dixie State doubled its advantage in the fourth, courtesy of a two-out RBI triple by Josie Hartman. Hartman and three other Red Storm recorded hits on the evening.

Both teams had their chances in the game leaving a combined 15 runners on base (DSU 8/AU 7).

Krista King was 2-for-4 and Megan Lewis went 2-for-2 with a double at the plate for the Panthers.

— Photo courtesy of Richard T. Clifton