Softball Takes One Against Rival Jackrabbits

South Dakota softball wrapped up a three-game road trip over two days, against South Dakota State over the weekend at J.T. Moriarty Field in Brookings, South Dakota.

In the first game, the Coyotes took the lead early after freshman Madison Evans singled to right field, bringing home two runs. Evans didn’t have to wait long to find home herself, as senior Clara Edwards cleared the bases with a two-run blast making a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, SDSU fired back, scoring three runs to get within one point of the Coyotes.The Coyotes padded their lead in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Brooke Carey doubled to right field, bringing home two more runs giving South Dakota a 6-3 advantage. Rylie Jones’ double in the seventh and a home run from  Autumn Iversen were enough to secure a 9-5 win.

In the second game, South Dakota faced junior Madi Mangulis, who played her last two seasons for USD before entering the transfer portal. Mangulis found success in the matchup, as South Dakota State defeated USD 8-5 to even the weekend series at one game apiece.

The Coyotes’ highlight from this game again came from Iversen, who doubled in the sixth to briefly get USD within one run.

The latter half of Saturday’s doubleheader proved to be a tighter affair. After falling behind 2-0 early, an RBI double from Edwards tied the game. Senior Tatum Villotta followed with a double of her own to put South Dakota ahead 3-2 in the sixth.

The Coyotes’ joy was short-lived, however, as South Dakota State’s Madi Conklin hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to give the Jackrabbits a 4-3 victory.

Next up for South Dakota is a two-game road trip against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. The Coyotes return home Sunday afternoon, April 13, with a doubleheader against Morningside University.

South Dakota currently sits at 21-16 overall with a 4-5 record in conference play.