GRAND JUNCTION - Conner Dixon has spent weeks thinking about Grand Junction/Fruita Monument Part I from earlier this season. After Friday night, he'll gladly replace those memories wtih new ones from GJ/Fruita Part II.

Dixon struggled in relief during the two teams first meeting at Suplizio Field, giving up the lead and suffering the loss in the Wildcats come from behind victory. On Friday night he ran effortlessly through the same Fruita lineup, allowing just three hits in the complete game 8-3 win to clinch the Southwestern League title.

"I couldn't end Fruita versus Junction like that," Dixon said, referring to the team's first meeting. "I had it in me. I needed it."

Dixon gave up just one hit through the first six innings. All three runs came in the seventh as Dixon's control started to wane, but Tiger coach Kyle Rush stuck with Dixon, reaffirming his confidence in the Grand Junction southpaw.

"In that first game he hit his spots, he did what we wanted him to do, they just hit good pitches" said Rush. "We were confident in him tonight. He did great against Durango for two games. He's been solid for us, right now he's been great for us."

The SWL championship is Grand Junction's fourth in a row. Fruita is still in a position to take the second and final playoff spot from the SWL.