USD returns home to host Oakland

Another weekend of playing on their new home field is in store for the University of South Dakota women’s softball team as they play host to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in conference action.

The Coyotes, who have an overall record of 8-27 on the year, will face off against the Oakland in a doubleheader on April 6. The third and final game of the series will be on April 7.

USD is currently coming off of a long seven game road trip, which included six straight losses at Creighton and South Dakota State University before winning the final game against SDSU.

USD assistant coach Tagney Jones said the team has been learning what it takes to compete in Summit League.

“Every Summit League game we play helps the girls know what to expect for the Summit League,” Jones said.

The Coyotes are entering the final stretch of their schedule, which includes multiple home stands against conference foes. USD still in the final year of the ransition is ineligible for any post-season games.

“Our focus is trying to win every conference series we play,” Jones said. “We’re trying to finish in the top of our conference even though we can’t go further.”

USD has shown previous success earlier in the season when playing at home. Against Summit League rival IUPUI, the Coyotes were able to win the series with two wins out of three games back on March 23 and 24.

Junior pitcher Missy Blackburn said the team keeps experiencing how to face teams that have more experience in the Summit League.

“Oakland’s another team that’s been in the conference,” Blackburn said, “And since it’s our first year in it, we keep learning.”

The Coyotes will play at Nebraska-Omaha in non-conference action on April 4 before hosting Oakland.