SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAY ON DECK FOR SDSU SOFTBALL

Saturday, March 25

Macomb, Ill.

1 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Western Illinois (DH)

Cheyanne Masterson

Photo by: Josh Gateley

3/23/2023 1:30:00 PM | Softball

By: Andrew Pedersen

Week 8: South Dakota State at Western Illinois
Games 1 & 2 (DH)	Saturday, March 25 - 1 p.m. CT
Game 3	Sunday, March 26 - 12 p.m. CT
Stream	GoLeathernecks.com
Live Stats	GoLeathernecks.com
South Dakota State	Game Notes

South Dakota State is scheduled to begin its pursuit for a third consecutive Summit League title this weekend as the Jackrabbits are slated to face Western Illinois in three games at the Leathernecks' Mary Ellen McKee Stadium. The three-game span between the Jacks and Leathernecks is the first in conference play for both sides as it begins at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Jackrabbits enter the weekend with a 17-14 overall record. Seven of SDSU's games have been against ranked opponents with the Jacks picking up a 5-2 win over then No. 20 Baylor, while dropping a close 4-3 decision to then No. 23 Wichita State. Western Illinois holds a 6-19 record. The Leathernecks' last win came on Feb. 26 at Lindenwood but look ahead to their home opener versus the Jacks.

SDSU hasn't shied away from tough competition so far this spring and it shows in the NCAA rankings. The Jackrabbits are 50th in the NCAA RPI. SDSU holds four top-50 RPI wins with victories over Baylor, Central Arkansas, Nebraska and Texas State. SDSU's strength of schedule is currently 27th in the country.

South Dakota State trails in the all-time series against Western Illinois, 19-26. The Jacks have won seven consecutive contests versus the Leathernecks. A season ago, the Jackrabbits won three run-rule contests over the Leathernecks in early April in Brookings. Cheyanne Masterson hit three home runs and had six RBIs in the series in 2022. Rozelyn Carrillo had two multi-hit games for the Jacks and Lindsey Culver had a three RBI performance in one of the contests. Tori Kniesche pitched two scoreless outings for SDSU in the series.

The Jacks have been led by multiple performers through 31 games this season. In the circle, Kniesche has been SDSU's top performer. She sports a 2.73 ERA in 15 appearances. She's thrown five shutouts and eight complete games. Shannon Lasey put together one of her best stretches in the circle for the Jackrabbits last week. After allowing one hit to No. 1 Oklahoma in 2 1/3 innings, she gave up two earned runs in five innings of work against No. 20 Baylor. She then threw eight scoreless innings versus Northern Colorado while allowing just three hits. Despite a loss to No. 23 Wichita State, Lasey allowed 3 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.

At the plate, Mia Jarecki (.347) and Emma Osmundson (.337) remain SDSU's constants in the top two spots of the order. Carrillo leads the Jacks in RBIs with 25 this season while sister Jocelyn Carrillo went 5-for-6 between two games last Sunday versus Northern Colorado and Wichita State.

How to Keep up
Links for live streams and stats to upcoming games are available on the softball team's schedule page on GoJacks.com. To keep up with the Jackrabbits, follow along with the program on their social media accounts @GoJacksMBB or visit GoJacks.com.

-GoJacks.com-