DRAGONS CRANK OUT 19 HITS IN REGION 6-OPENING WIN OVER GARDEN

Going 3 for 3 against Garden City, sophomore Olivia Sandoval moved into No. 2 on the Blue Dragon career hits list as the Blue Dragons defeated the Broncbusters 16-2 in 5 innings in the Region VI Tournament opening round in Dodge City. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information).

May 3, 2024

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

DODGE CITY – The Hutchinson Community College softball team hammered out 19 hits and won their Region VI Tournament opening-round game for the third-straight season with a run-rule win over Garden City on Friday at Legends Park.

Led by Olivia Sandoval's three hits and seen combined RBIs from Jaeleigh Darnell and Madi Divis, the second-seeded Blue Dragons rolled by Garden City 16-2.

The 42-9 Blue Dragons advanced to the Region VI winner's bracket semifinals later on Friday to play the Barton Cougars. The 42 wins tie the 1987 Blue Dragons for the second-most victories in a season in program history.

With her second hit of the game, Sandoval moved past Jessica Glenn (2008-09) into second place on the Blue Dragon career hits list with 165.

Sandoval was 3 for 3 with three singles and three RBIs to pace the Blue Dragons' 19-hit attack. She had three consecutive RBIs singles in the third and fourth innings, going 2 for 2 in the third inning alone.

Center fielder Korri Lies also went 3 for 3 with three singles and three runs scored. Leadoff hitter Bailey Backhaus was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI.

Darnell went 2 for 4 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run in Hutchinson's seven-run third inning. Now with 14 home runs for the season and 18 for her career, Darnell is tied with Tori Caruthers (2016-17) and Riley Wertz (2022-23) for seventh on the Blue Dragon career home run list.

Divis went 2 for 4 with both hits – a solo home run and two-run double coming in the Blue Dragons' eight-run fourth inning.

The bottom four batters in the Blue Dragon order – Lies, Brooke Backhaus, Brie Brawner and Tami Lozoya – were a combined 8 for 14 with seven runs and three RBIs. Brooke Backhaus and Brawner had two hits each. Backhaus had a double.

The Blue Dragons had four extra-base hits.

Sophomore Delaney Blakesley improved to 11-2 in the pitching circle with three-plus innings of work. Blakesley allowed five hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts to improve her career record to 15-2.

Morgan Tomlinson pitched two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts to close out the game in five innings.