ST. GEORGE — Snow Canyon and Cedar are running away with the top two spots in Region 9 and it should be an intriguing race to the finish line for those two teams. Just as fun will be the battle for the next two spots in the region, both of which will earn playoff spots.

Canyon View staked a claim to third place with a dominating win over Pine View Tuesday afternoon, while Desert Hills rallied past Dixie to pull even in fifth place in the region, a game behind the Lady Panthers for that fourth-place spot. Snow Canyon blew away Hurricane on a windy day in Southern Utah and the Warriors are now dead-even with Cedar for the top spot. Here’s a recap of the day’s action:

Desert Hills 9, Dixie 8

The Flyers led 7-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Thunder scored six straight runs to take the lead and eventually the game.

Junior Dalys Coil knocked home the tying runs with a two-run double in the fifth and Ashlee File gave DH the lead with a two-run homer in the sixth as DH picked up its second region win.

Dixie looked like it had the game in hand as an RBI by Tana Western made it 7-3 and answered a two-run rally by D-Hills. But a couple of early hits and a Dixie error opened the gates for the Thunder, with Coil’s hit knotting the game at 7-7.

The Flyers went down in order in the sixth, handing a golden opportunity to File. She took full advantage, blasting a soaring shot to right-center that easily cleared the fence and gave DH its first lead of the game, 9-7.

Dixie rallied for a run in the seventh and had the tying runner at second base, but Rilee Stookey snared a dying liner by Hannah Nyberg for the final out to secure the victory.

Mica Betts homered in the fourth inning to wake up the D-Hills bats. It was the first homer of the senior’s career.

Desert Hills, 5-11 overall and 2-4 in region play, is now tied for fifth with Dixie. Both teams are a game behind 3-3 Pine View for fourth place and a playoff spot at the halfway point of region play. Dixie is 5-8 overall.

The Thunder host first-place Snow Canyon Thursday, while Dixie has a region bye and will play non-league tournament games at Bishop Gorman.

Stats: dixdeh4715

Snow Canyon 22, Hurricane 0

The best offense in the state met one of the worst defenses and the result was predictable as SC romped for 21 hits, including seven for extra bases.

Shelbee Hutchings continued her amazing tear as she homered once again. That’s five homers in the last six games for the senior infielder. Hutchings also tripled and knocked in five runs.

Mada Mooring had three hits and two walks and scored three times, while Sonya Hardy had three hits as well, including a triple. Camryn Johnson had three RBIs for SC, while Heather Prestwich was nearly perfect on the mound. She allowed no hits and just two walks to the Lady Tigers in the four inning mercy-shortened game.

The Warriors, 10-1 overall and 5-1 in region, have scored 81 runs in six region games, 13.5 runs per contest. Snow Canyon visits Desert Hills Thursday afternoon. Hurricane, 7-10 overall and 0-6 in region, is at Canyon View Thursday.

Stats: schur4715

Canyon View 14, Pine View 5

With the wind blowing out, it was a homer fest in this one.

The Falcons won it behind three longballs, with Kelsee Hyatt, M. Clark and J. Jarvis all going deep. Taylor Wheelwright pitched the victory for CV.

It was a huge win for the Lady Falcons, who move within a game of first-place at 4-2 in region (Cedar and SC are both 5-1) and a game ahead of the Panthers for third place. Canyon View, 5-8 overall, hosts Hurricane Thursday to kick off the second half of region play.

Pine View, 5-7 and 3-3, hosts Cedar in a crucial game to start the Panthers’ second half.

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