ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Falling behind 6-0 in the top of the sixth inning, No. 2 seed Sonoma State rallied for seven unanswered runs in its next at bat after a leadoff home run by Janelle Arnold, completing a monumental comeback to avoid the upset and steal the 7-6 victory from No. 7 seed Dixie State on Friday evening at Seawolf Field. With the victory, the Seawolves will face No. 6 Chico State at 11 a.m. Saturday. The winner of the game will secure a spot in the sub-regional championship game on Sunday.

Dixie State made a statement early, scoring three runs in the third inning on a couple of hits and an error. The Red Storm then added three more runs in the sixth to pull ahead of the host Seawolves 6-0 late in the game.

It all changed with one swing of the bat, though. Arnold took the first pitch and sent it deep to left center field for Sonoma State's first run of the ballgame. After a walk to Simone Brandalise and a pair of singles by Rochelle Vanyi and Ashley Britton, the bases were loaded for Ali Palermo. Palermo flew out to right field, but it allowed Brandalise to score, closing the gap to just four runs at 6-2.

Skylynn Myers added to the scoring party when she poked a 1-1 pitch to left center field for a two-RBI fdouble that scored Vanyi and Britton. A wild pitch moved Myers to third and Dixie State pitcher Brittnie Whipple walked LeeAnn Stroud to put runners on the corners. Red Storm head coach Randy Simkins pulled Whipple and brought in Lauren Folta, who pluncked Kayla Ledford to again load the bases.

After a quick out, Sonoma State became patient at the plate and Arnold reached first on a RBI base on balls, bringing home, scoring Stroud. Then, Brandalise came up big in the clutch. She smacked a single to center field, scoring two runs to give Sonoma State the 7-6 lead.

In the seventh, Julianne Martinez came up big, retiring the side and sending the Seawolves -- and their fans -- into a celebration of relief.

Myers led the way with two hits, including the two RBI double. Brandalise's game-winning single was her only hit of the game, and it came at no better time. Martinez (21-8) scattered six hits, giving up six runs (two earned), while walking one and striking out two.

Ashley McFarland had two of Dixie State's six hits in the game. Folta (19-7) got the loss after tossing just two-thirds of an inning, giving up the Brandalise single.

Sonoma State will face Chico State at 11 a.m. Saturday for a chance to reach the sub-regional championship game on Sunday. The Wildcats defeated Grand Canyon in the tournament opener on Friday, 5-4 in eight innings. Dixie State and Grand Canyon will face each other at 1:30 p.m. in a loser-out game.

For more information on the 2010 NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament at Sonoma State, visit Tournament Central.

Box Score: #14 Sonoma State 7, Dixie State 6