Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAN BERNARDINO (April 6, 2015) -- The reigning NCAA West Region champion Dixie State proved it will be a force when the postseason begins again, turning back the Coyotes 12-11 and 14-3 in 5 innings in Monday's softball doubleheader at Coyote Park.

The Coyotes, who are now 20-20 overall and 12-11 CCAA, are in fifth place in the conference. They are 1 1/2 games behind fourth-place Chico State and face Cal State Stanislaus this weekend at Coyote Park.

Game 1: No. 4 Dixie State 12, Coyotes 11
The Red Storm scored 10 runs in the fourth inning and took command for the victory.

The Coyotes scored twice in the first inning with two unearned runs. Thalia Ortiz drove in a run on a fielder's choice that brought in Alyssa Ramos, who was hit by a pitch.

After DSU tied the game in the second, the Coyotes got two more in the third. Cassandra Williams drove in Monica Maddox (single) with a single to center and Ortiz followed with an RBI single through the right side.

But the Red Storm overpowered the Coyotes in the fifth, sending 14 batters to the plate on seven hits and led 12-4.

The Coyotes made it interesting in the seventh, thanks to a grand slam by Mary Menicucci in the fifth. The Coyotes scored three runs in the seventh and had the game-tying run on first with two outs, but Jamie Nelson finished the game on a pop-out to second.

Nobbe finished 4-for-5, while Maddox, Ramos and Menicucci all had two hits.

Game 2: No. 4 Dixie State 14, Coyotes 3 5 innings
Nobbe had two solo home runs and freshman Caitlyn Olan also had a home, but the Red Storm were too strong. They scored five runs in the second and seven in the third.

Nobbe finished 3-for-3. Olan had the only other extra-base hit for the Coyotes with her homer in the fifth.