SDSU SPLITS TWO EXTRA INNING GAMES AT SFA

Wednesday, February 15

Nacogdoches, Texas

11 a.m.

South Dakota State University

Stephen F. Austin (DH)

Emma Osmundson

Photo by: Erik Williams

2/15/2023 8:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS – South Dakota State and Stephen F. Austin had both of their games in Wednesday's doubleheader go to extra innings. Each team picked up a win as the Jackrabbits claimed the opener in nine innings, 2-0, while the Lumberjacks won 7-6 in eight innings on their home field.

The first matchup of the day was a pitcher's duel between SDSU's Tori Kniesche and SFA's Alexis Telford. Kniesche allowed just one hit during the first seven innings and just one baserunner to reach second base. Telford matched Kniesche's effort giving up just a hit as the two sides were unable to plate a run forcing extra innings.

The eighth saw both teams' best opportunity up to that point. Chiara Bassi began the top of the eighth with a single for the Jackrabbits, but SDSU was only able to reach second base to turn it over to the bottom half.

Stephen F. Austin Mikaelah Burkland hit a one-out triple to give the Lumberjacks a chance to score the game-winning run. Kniesche pitched her way out of the jam with a strikeout and ground out against the next two batters she faced.

SDSU finally got on the board in the ninth. Rozelyn Carrillo led off with a walk and with one out Allison Yoder singled to put runners on first and second. Lindsey Culver walked to load the bases, then Tori Tollefson hit a single through the left side to drive in two runs. It was the only insurance needed for Kniesche who forced three easy outs to give the Jackrabbits a 2-0 win.

Kniesche improved her record on the season to 3-0 with her third complete game shutout as a starter. She struck out seven Lumberjacks and walked three batters while walking just two over nine innings.

The Jackrabbits scored the second game of the day's first two runs, but had to rally from a 6-2 deficit to force extra innings, and eventually fell 7-6 in extra.

A Brooke Dumont two-run single in the top of the first scored Emma Osmundson and Cheyanne Masterson giving SDSU an early 2-0 advantage. The Lumberjacks responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, then increased their edge to 6-2 in the third.

South Dakota State began its comeback in the fourth. Jocelyn Carrillo singled, Mia Jarecki produced a walk and Osmundson hit a single to load the bases. Rozelyn Carrillo hit a single for the first RBI of the inning, then Masterson and Allison Yoder hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to make it 6-5.

Alexa Williams came in for relief in the circle and kept the Jackrabbits in the game in her debut as a pitcher in Yellow and Blue. She kept the Lumberjacks scoreless for four innings as the Jacks worked to at least tie the margin.

The top of the sixth saw two consecutive singles by Jarecki and Osmundson, along with an error on Rozelyn Carrillo's at-bat, to load the bases. Another Masterson sacrifice fly tied the score, however SDSU left three players on base following the tie score at 6-6.

The seventh inning saw neither team get on base pushing the second game of the doubleheader to extras. The Jackrabbits had just one baserunner get on base but weren't able to capitalize. Stephen F. Austin closed the matchup out in the bottom half of the eighth. A lead-off walk and stolen base put a runner in scoring position with one out, then an RBI single ended the contest at 7-6.

Williams picked up her first loss as a pitcher for the Jackrabbits. She pitched a solid 5 1/3 innings giving up just one earned run on three hits. She struck out four and walked two hitters. Shannon Lasey gave up six runs in two innings as the starter.

Osmundson finished with a team- and season-high four hits for SDSU. Jarecki and Rozelyn Carrillo also had multi-hit performances, while Dumont and Masterson each produced two RBIs.

South Dakota State ended the doubleheader with a 5-2 overall record. The Jackrabbits head to San Marcos, Texas, for the I-35 Tournament hosted by Texas State which begins Friday.

-GoJacks.com-