FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Seven South Dakota State players recorded hits while three accounted for a combined four extra-base hits as the Jackrabbits defeated Tarleton State, 11-5, in the first round of the National Invitational Softball Championship at the TC Colorado Fields.
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The Jacks scored in every inning until the sixth which included a 6-0 advantage through the first three innings of play.
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SDSU picked up two runs in the first behind a bases-loaded hit by pitch during
Lindsey Culver's at-bat that plated
Allison Yoder.
Emma Osmundson followed with a sacrifice fly that brought in
Rozelyn Carrillo.
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The second inning saw the Jacks score three runs. An RBI single by
Rozelyn Carrillo began the frame, then a
Jocelyn Carrillo two-run home run over the left-field fence made it 5-0. The next inning featured SDSU pick up another bases-loaded walk, this time with Yoder at-bat and Cheyannne Masterson coming across home to give SDSU a six-run cushion.
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Jackrabbit starter
Tori Kniesche was unhittable in the first three innings. Tarleton State figured her out in the top of the fourth as an RBI double, sacrifice fly and two-run home cut the deficit to 6-4 as the Texans drew closer thanks to four hits in the frame.
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SDSU put the game out of reach in the bottom of the inning. An Osmundson RBI single, Masterson RBI single and two-run triple by
Mia Jarecki extended the Jackrabbit edge back to six as they led 10-4 through four innings.
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Culver added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to push the lead to 11-4. The Texans attempted a rally in the seventh. They recorded three hits and benefited on an outfield error, but stalled out scoring one run for the 11-5 final margin.
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Jarecki, Yoder, Culver and
Rozelyn Carrillo had two hits apiece for the Jacks. Culver hit both a double and home run while she, Jarecki, Osmundson and
Jocelyn Carrillo each had two RBIs. The Carrillos, Culver and Masterson scored two runs apiece
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Kniesche improved to 23-6 on the season behind a complete-game effort. She gave up eight hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out 12.
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Up Next
South Dakota State continues play on Friday, May 19, in the winner's bracket of the NISC against Iowa. The Jackrabbits and Hawkeyes are slated for a 1 p.m. CT first pitch at Red Rocks Field in Fort Collins. Links for the game will be available on the Jackrabbits' schedule page at GoJacks.com.
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