Crimson Cliffs junior pitcher Gracee Stucki delivers against Pine View in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

ST. GEORGE —  The opening round of the 4A state softball playoffs got under way this weekend, with Crimson Cliffs ousting Region 9 rival Pine View in a two-game sweep and Dixie getting eliminated at Logan.

Crimson Cliffs 12, Pine View 0 | Crimson Cliffs 15, Pine View 1

Crimson Cliffs senior Paisley Lantz connects with a pitch against Pine View in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

In Friday night’s contest, the Crimson Cliffs pounded 12 hits and scored 12 runs in five innings while holding the Panthers scoreless.

Starting pitcher Gracee Stucki and reliever Cassidy Panson, who came into the game in the third inning, allowed just one hit each while striking out three batters apiece and walking zero.

Offensively, seven different Mustangs had at least one hit, with third baseman Paisley Lantz driving in five RBIs on two hits. The game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning after Lantz belted a two-run homer to make it 12-0.

In the second game of the best-of-three series on Saturday afternoon, Crimson’s onslaught continued as the Mustangs racked up three runs in the first inning, five more in the second and seven more in the third.

Pine View’s lone run came in the third inning, when Jaycee Day hit a triple to score teammate Genevieve Evans.

In picking up the complete-game victory, Stucki allowed two hits over five innings while striking out four and walking zero.

Logan 13, Dixie 3 | Logan 10, Dixie 4

At Logan, the No. 14 seeded Grizzlies swept the Dixie Flyers. Highlights for Dixie included Aareney Sip driving in all three of the Flyers’ runs with a pair of singles on Friday. On Saturday, three different Dixie players finished with two hits apiece. The Flyers fell behind 8-0 after four innings but got on the board with three-run rally in the top of the fifth.

The 16 teams remaining in the 4A tournament will next play in Super Regional best-of-three series next Thursday and Friday (May 9-10) on the home fields of the better-seeded teams. Thursday’s opening games have a default starting time of 4 p.m. Here is the schedule for the contests involving Region 9 teams:

  • No. 2 seed Desert Hills will host No. 18 Mountain Crest.
  • No. 3 Snow Canyon will host No. 14 Logan.
  • No. 4 Cedar will host No. 13 Timpanogos.
  • No. 8 Hurricane will host No. 9 Murray.
  • No. 12 Crimson Cliffs will travel to No. 5 Stansbury.

To see the complete bracket on Utah High School Activities Association’s site, click here (refresh file to see latest updates).

St. George News reporter E. GEORGE GOOLD contributed to this report.

Photo Gallery

Crimson Cliffs senior Alexis Bang makes the put out against Pine View in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Pine View’s sophomore Genevieve Evans runs for third against Crimson Cliffs in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Crimson Cliffs junior pitcher Gracee Stucki delivers against Pine View in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Crimson Cliffs junior Sophie Staheli bunts against Pine View in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Pine View junior pitcher Alexis Pollock delivers against Crimson Cliffs in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Crimson Cliffs senior Paisley Lantz connects with a pitch against Pine View in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Pine View’s defense makes the put out against Crimson Cliffs in a 4A regional playoff game, Washington, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

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