Coyotes Score Big Against Highway Rivals
South Dakota picked up their seventh win of the season against Mount Marty in the home opener. USD won 14-0 against the Lancers in a five inning game.
South Dakota started hot as sophomore pitcher Madison Evans pitched the first inning, striking out two batters.
The Coyotes struck in the bottom of the first inning, scoring six runs on five hits and three Mount Marty errors. Evans hit an RBI single to start the scoring before senior infielder Delaney White hit a two RBI double.
USD continued its success, pitching another shutout in the second inning before Evans hit a triple in the bottom of the inning. Junior outfielder Autumn Iversen singled in two runs, making the Coyotes lead 10-0 after two innings.
In the top of the third inning, the Lancers loaded the bases on three singles before junior pitcher Peyton Paulsen came in and stopped the scoring attempt, keeping Mount Marty scoreless after a groundout to first base.
South Dakota added more runs in the bottom of the third with another hit by Iversen, this time a triple that scored two more runs. Iversen scored shortly after on a wild pitch by the Lancers.
USD led 14-0 going into the fourth inning. Both offenses slowed down with no hits recorded in the final two innings. Only a hit by pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning would get a runner on base.
Evans led South Dakota, pitching two scoreless innings and getting three hits in three at bats, scoring on each hit. Iverson drove in five runners for the Coyotes to bring her season total to 12.
Paulsen earned the win for USD, improving to 2-6 on the season in 11 appearances. Paulsen pitched one and a third scoreless innings and struck out one batter.
Junior pitcher Jacey Hayen picked up the loss for the Lancers after allowing 10 runs in two innings.
The Coyotes improve to 7-17-1 on the season and head back on the road to play Iowa State, Minnesota and Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, over three days from March 13-15.
South Dakota starts Summit League play with South Dakota State at Nygaard Field from March 20-22.
