Softball third in preseason poll

SIOUX FALLS – The Jackrabbit softball team was tabbed third in the 2020 Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday. South Dakota State earned one first-place vote in the rankings, and saw Kendra Conard and Peyton Daugherty named as players to watch.

The Jackrabbits, fresh off their second-straight appearance in the National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC), will blend eight newcomers (including seven true freshmen) into a roster that returns 13 letterwinners, with all six pitchers back from a year ago.

"We're excited about the direction our program is heading, and have been pleased with the efforts we've seen from this group," head coach Krista Wood said. "The 2020 season is just one week away and we're looking forward to the challenges ahead of us."

Conard, an All-Summit League First Team performer in 2019, appeared in 29 games a year ago with 26 starts. The South Lake Tahoe, California native went 17-7 on the season with a team-best 1.35 WHIP and 2.87 earned run average.

Daugherty started all 55 of her appearances as the team's primary designated player. She racked up 43 hits in her rookie campaign and had six doubles.

SDSU (27 points) garnered one first-place vote and sits just behind South Dakota (28 points) in the preseason poll. North Dakota State earned six first-place votes and was picked first with 34 points overall. North Dakota (22) was fourth in the preseason poll, while Western Illinois and Purdue Fort Wayne each earned 12 votes to sit in a tie for fifth. Omaha was seventh in the rankings with 10 points.

State will play a 55-game schedule in 2020 with 13 home games on the docket. The season begins Feb. 7-8 at the Doc Halvorson/UNI Dome Classic in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

-GoJacks.com-

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Kendra Conard

Peyton Daugherty

Upcoming Event: Softball versus #3 North Dakota State on May 6, 2026 at 4 p.m.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on May 2, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 15 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on May 1, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 13 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on April 30, 2026 , Loss , 12, to, 13 , 8 Inn.

Cancelled Event: Softball versus St. Thomas

Completed Event: Softball versus St. Thomas on April 24, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 6

Completed Event: Softball versus St. Thomas on April 24, 2026 , Loss , 5, to, 11

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