Upcoming Event: Softball versus St. Thomas on April 24, 2026 at 4 p.m.
/
4 p.m.
Softball
vs St. Thomas
South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
DEVELOPMENT SHOWN THROUGHOUT FALL BALL
10/13/2022 2:55:00 PM | Softball
BROOKINGS, S.D. – A new coaching staff has meant a fresh set of eyes on a South Dakota State softball program that has improved tremendously over the last few seasons. Despite the new regime, a cast of familiar faces has been at the forefront of a busy fall practice schedule for the Jackrabbits.Â
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"The team has been incredibly receptive to the coaching style that we've brought in," said SDSU first-year head coach Kristina McSweeney. "They have worked extremely hard, especially that returning group, to get to where they want to be. They have the right mindset. They're frustrated with how they finished last year and now we're in that building phase.Â
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"We're finishing fall ball and really honing in on the things we need to work on. We've had some honest conversations with them and those have gone well."
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The Jackrabbits completed four weekends of fall scrimmages against the likes of Northern State, St. Cloud State, Dakota Wesleyan, Augustana and Southwest Minnesota State. What initially stood out to McSweeney has been what has got a lot of attention at SDSU over the last couple of seasons.Â
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The talent in the circle.Â
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All-Summit League performers and respective conference Pitcher of the Year selections Grace Glanzer and Tori Kniesche provide top-level talent that was evident during the fall. Transfers Alexa Williams and Shannon Lasey add multiple seasons of college level experience that are expected to combine for a loaded rotation for opponents to face when they take on South Dakota State.Â
Â
"Tori and Grace had solid performances during the fall which was extremely exciting to see," McSweeney said. "Watching them perform has been incredible. The additions of Alexa and Shannon, having that higher level of experience, has made each of them better as well. Those four have definitely pushed each other and sets us up to be in a really good spot."
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The SDSU pitching staff combined to complete an under 2.00 ERA during the fall slate.Â
Â
The Jacks lost multiple high performers at the plate from a season ago, but SDSU looks to have some standouts that can step up when the spring comes around.Â
Â
Twelve different Jackrabbits with at least 30 at-bats hit at least .300 during SDSU's fall ball schedule. The contingent of high performers featured a slew of returners.Â
Â
"Allison Yoder stuck out because she can do a lot at the plate and has been balanced all fall," McSweeney said. "Jocelyn Carrillo has really grown and had some key at-bats and moments for us. Power number wise, Lindsey Culver hit well and Alexa (Williams) showed she can be a staple in our lineup. Mia Jarecki and Cheyanne Masterson continue to improve and I'm excited to see where they're headed as well."Â
Â
Tori Tollefson registered the highest batting average for the Jacks as she hit .417 with nine extra base hits. Carrillo followed her with a .400 average. Yoder had a team-high 20 hits, while her and Jarecki led SDSU with three home runs apiece. Williams completed the fall by pacing the Jackrabbits with a .490 on-base percentage.Â
Â
Along with the returners, a variety of freshmen got their first look at what the college softball will be like. It's been a productive first step as McSweeney looks to see competition across all areas of the field.Â
Â
"I think the freshmen were a little taken aback of the play at the college level and the amount of work that is expected here," McSweeney said. "I think there are a couple that can certainly rise to the top and make an impact for us. Kaelan Schultz, Alivya Bollen, Maddie Cocker and Emma Christensen all had moments for us this fall.
Â
"Because of the new coaching staff and new system, everybody is in the same boat. We're just now figuring out how everything is starting to work. I think our newcomers will have a lot to prove. I'm excited for them to continue to develop as we work towards the spring."
Â
Though SDSU's competition schedule in the fall came to a close, the Jackrabbits will still continue to practice and continue workouts as they gear up for the 2023 season. SDSU hopes to continue its recent success trying to replicate its back-to-back Summit League championship campaigns when February arrives.Â
Â
"These next few weeks should help us get ready for a treacherous schedule that we're working on," McSweeney said. "We're excited about the challenge. We want to get ready for The Summit League and be our best at the end of the season."
Â
Â
"The team has been incredibly receptive to the coaching style that we've brought in," said SDSU first-year head coach Kristina McSweeney. "They have worked extremely hard, especially that returning group, to get to where they want to be. They have the right mindset. They're frustrated with how they finished last year and now we're in that building phase.Â
Â
"We're finishing fall ball and really honing in on the things we need to work on. We've had some honest conversations with them and those have gone well."
Â
The Jackrabbits completed four weekends of fall scrimmages against the likes of Northern State, St. Cloud State, Dakota Wesleyan, Augustana and Southwest Minnesota State. What initially stood out to McSweeney has been what has got a lot of attention at SDSU over the last couple of seasons.Â
Â
The talent in the circle.Â
Â
All-Summit League performers and respective conference Pitcher of the Year selections Grace Glanzer and Tori Kniesche provide top-level talent that was evident during the fall. Transfers Alexa Williams and Shannon Lasey add multiple seasons of college level experience that are expected to combine for a loaded rotation for opponents to face when they take on South Dakota State.Â
Â
"Tori and Grace had solid performances during the fall which was extremely exciting to see," McSweeney said. "Watching them perform has been incredible. The additions of Alexa and Shannon, having that higher level of experience, has made each of them better as well. Those four have definitely pushed each other and sets us up to be in a really good spot."
Â
The SDSU pitching staff combined to complete an under 2.00 ERA during the fall slate.Â
Â
The Jacks lost multiple high performers at the plate from a season ago, but SDSU looks to have some standouts that can step up when the spring comes around.Â
Â
Twelve different Jackrabbits with at least 30 at-bats hit at least .300 during SDSU's fall ball schedule. The contingent of high performers featured a slew of returners.Â
Â
"Allison Yoder stuck out because she can do a lot at the plate and has been balanced all fall," McSweeney said. "Jocelyn Carrillo has really grown and had some key at-bats and moments for us. Power number wise, Lindsey Culver hit well and Alexa (Williams) showed she can be a staple in our lineup. Mia Jarecki and Cheyanne Masterson continue to improve and I'm excited to see where they're headed as well."Â
Â
Tori Tollefson registered the highest batting average for the Jacks as she hit .417 with nine extra base hits. Carrillo followed her with a .400 average. Yoder had a team-high 20 hits, while her and Jarecki led SDSU with three home runs apiece. Williams completed the fall by pacing the Jackrabbits with a .490 on-base percentage.Â
Â
Along with the returners, a variety of freshmen got their first look at what the college softball will be like. It's been a productive first step as McSweeney looks to see competition across all areas of the field.Â
Â
"I think the freshmen were a little taken aback of the play at the college level and the amount of work that is expected here," McSweeney said. "I think there are a couple that can certainly rise to the top and make an impact for us. Kaelan Schultz, Alivya Bollen, Maddie Cocker and Emma Christensen all had moments for us this fall.
Â
"Because of the new coaching staff and new system, everybody is in the same boat. We're just now figuring out how everything is starting to work. I think our newcomers will have a lot to prove. I'm excited for them to continue to develop as we work towards the spring."
Â
Though SDSU's competition schedule in the fall came to a close, the Jackrabbits will still continue to practice and continue workouts as they gear up for the 2023 season. SDSU hopes to continue its recent success trying to replicate its back-to-back Summit League championship campaigns when February arrives.Â
Â
"These next few weeks should help us get ready for a treacherous schedule that we're working on," McSweeney said. "We're excited about the challenge. We want to get ready for The Summit League and be our best at the end of the season."
Â
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