SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Senior pitcher Gaby Katafias had a strong seven innings in the circle, but Dominican softball fell 5-0 and 11-2 to No. 7 Dixie State in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Penguin Field.
 
Katafias (8-12) pitched a shutout through seven innings of the first game and struck out four, but took the loss after the Trailblazers (32-4, 16-4 PacWest) scored five runs in the top of the eighth. Alyssa Ramirez was the only Penguin (14-28, 5-17 PacWest) to reach safely in both games, including going 1 for 3 with an RBI and a walk in game two. McKenzie Schumacher added a 2 for 4 performance with an RBI in the second game.
 
Jessica Gonzales was the top offensive performer for Dixie State, going 2 for 6 with five RBI and a run scored. Cambrie Hazel (14-2) earned the victory for the Trailblazers in the first game after pitching a complete game no-hitter and Alexandria Melendez improved to 9-1 after not allowing a run in four innings pitched in game two.
 
The Penguins had the first scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning of the first game. Alyssa Ramirez reached on a fielding error and Karitza Reyes drew a walk to move her into scoring position with one out. Pitcher Cambrie Hazel stopped a hard line drive to make the force out at third and Dahlen Dennis flew out to left to end the inning.
 
Katafias started the game with four perfect innings until the Trailblazers picked up their first hit with a single up the middle from Jessica Gonzalez the fifth inning. Dixie State loaded the bases after two batters were hit by a pitch, but Reyes got her glove underneath a soft, line drive to end the inning.
 
The Trailblazers threatened again in the top of the sixth inning after Janessa Bassett walked and stole second. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, but a soft pop up to shortstop Mady Christensen and a groundout to Ramirez at third helped Dominican keep the game scoreless.
 
Tayler Munoz hustled to beat out a dropped third strike in the bottom of the seventh as Dominican looked for a walk-off victory. Dahlen Dennis then stepped to the plate and hit a long fly ball, but a strong wind blowing in kept the ball just in play as Dixie State's Brenna Hinck made the catch touching the fence and the game went to extra innings. 
 
After Bassett turned a shallow fly to left into a double, a couple of defensive miscues allowed the Trailblazers to load the bases on two fielder's choices. Kori Gahn singled to right to score Bassett and Gonzalez hit a grand slam to give Dixie State the 5-0 victory.
 
With Bassett on third to start the second game, Gaffin singled to shallow center for the first run of the game. Bassett came across the plate again in the top of the third on a fielder's choice to make it 2-0.
 
The Trailblazers opened a big lead in the top of the fourth as Dani Bartholf homered to left to bring home two and Emma Sweet scored on a fielding error to give Dixie State the 5-0 lead.
 
The Trailblazers added three more in the top of the fifth to threaten an early ending to the game, but Dominican would not go down without a fight. Mady Christensen and Allyssa Waltman walked to start off the bottom of the frame and Alexis Chinchilla drew a walk with one out to load the bases.  McKenzie Shumacher singled up the middle to bring home Christensen for their first run in the second game.  
 
After a scoreless sixth inning, Dixie State added three more runs after capitalizing on a few walks and a passed ball for the 11-1 lead. Waltman, Chinchilla and Schumacher all singled to load the bases for the Penguins in the bottom of the seventh and Alyssa Ramirez singled through the left side to bring home Waltman for the final run of the game.
 
Dominican will return to the diamond Sunday to take on Holy Names in a doubleheader beginning at noon PDT at Penguin Field. Live stats will be available online.