TURLOCK -- Haley Schumers, who pretty much does it all for Dixie State this season, scattered four hits and struck out five to lead Dixie State to a 5-2 win over Cal State San Bernardino Sunday in the quarterfinal game of the Silver Division of the 2008 Mizuno Softball Invitational.
Schumers (11-9) pitched a complete game and hit her fifth home run of the tournament as Dixie State improved to 21-18 while the Coyotes left town with their 2008 record all even at 23-23-1. Schumers led the tournament with five home runs, seven runs scored and 23 total bases.
Dixie State opened up a 4-0 advantage in the first three innings off Coyotes starter
Cassidy Lee (3-6) and reliever
Jackie Jacob.
Tawni Baker came on to pitch the final 2.1 innings of hitless relief and struck out three. Baker finished the tournament with a 1.14 earned run average, allowing just two runs in 16 innings of pitching and striking out 16.
CSUSB scored its two runs in the fifth.
Sara Bird (who posted the third best batting average in the tournament at .545 with six hits in 11 at bats) led off with a single, but her pinch-runner
Joleen Batista was forced at second on a grounder by
Nicole Camarena. Camarena then advanced on a single by
Jacquelyn Holtzclaw. Holtzclaw was cut down on a fielder's choice as
Tori Beaudette reached first and Camarena advanced to third. Taylor Wilson then doubled down the left field line to score both runners. However, Schumers got
Debbie Shisler out on a come-backer to end the rally.
After Schumers retired the Coyotes in order in the sixth, Bird worked her for a walk to lead off the seventh but Camarena lined out to first, Holtzclaw lined out to left and Beaudette grounded out to end the game.
In other tournament action, Humboldt State won the tournament championship in the Gold Division with a 1-0 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills after defeating host Cal State Stanislaus 5-4 in the semifinals. UC San Diego won the Silver Division, 3-2, over San Francisco State. Chico State defeated Saint Martin's 6-4 to win the Bronze Division.
The Coyotes return home to start Spring Quarter classes on Tuesday and face Azusa Pacific University in a non-conference doubleheader at 2 p.m. at Coyote Softball Park.
