Upcoming Event: Softball versus Georgia Tech on April 11, 2026 at 10 a.m.
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10 a.m.
Softball
vs Georgia Tech
South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia
STATE ADDS CAITLYN WELLS TO ROSTER
7/17/2023 2:50:00 PM | Softball
BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State head softball coach Kristina McSweeney added a newcomer she's familiar with to the Jackrabbit program as Caitlyn Wells will join the roster for the 2024 season. Wells, a transfer from UT Tyler, previously played for McSweeney at Arkansas Tech during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.Â
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Wells was a two-time All-American, All-Central Region selection and First Team all-conference performer during her time at Arkansas Tech playing under the guidance of McSweeney and associate head coach Josh Bertke. Across the 2021 and 2022 seasons for Arkansas Tech, Wells recorded a .400 batting average across a total of 100 games played (99 starts).Â
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The Edmond, Okla., native registered a combined 15 home runs, 87 RBIs, 30 doubles and 38 runs scored. She set a .638 slugging percentage mark and earned a .465 on-base percentage, while she also had 34 walks compared to 25 strikeouts. Wells's two seasons in Arkansas Tech featured a Great American Conference regular season title, two conference tournament championships along with two NCAA Central Region Tournament appearances.Â
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Wells spent the 2022-23 academic year at UT Tyler. She was a contributor to a team that won its conference regular season and tournament championships. UT Tyler eventually placed third at the NCAA Division II College World Series. Wells started in 29 of 45 games played. She hit .278 at the plate and connected on five home runs, four doubles, scored seven runs and had 26 RBIs. She also registered 20 walks to eight strikeouts.Â
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"I'm very excited to be able to coach Caitlyn again," McSweeney said. "She brings a lot of power with her bat. She will help add an undeniable force in our lineup. She also can pitch and play first base. Caitlyn is an extremely valuable addition to our team and we look forward to seeing how she can make an impact for us!"
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The South Dakota State softball team ended its 2023 season with a 39-19 overall record. The Jackrabbits earned The Summit League's regular season title for the third consecutive year with a 17-0 record in conference play. The SDSU squad advanced to postseason play, participating in the National Invitational Softball Championship, for the fifth straight season.
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Wells was a two-time All-American, All-Central Region selection and First Team all-conference performer during her time at Arkansas Tech playing under the guidance of McSweeney and associate head coach Josh Bertke. Across the 2021 and 2022 seasons for Arkansas Tech, Wells recorded a .400 batting average across a total of 100 games played (99 starts).Â
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The Edmond, Okla., native registered a combined 15 home runs, 87 RBIs, 30 doubles and 38 runs scored. She set a .638 slugging percentage mark and earned a .465 on-base percentage, while she also had 34 walks compared to 25 strikeouts. Wells's two seasons in Arkansas Tech featured a Great American Conference regular season title, two conference tournament championships along with two NCAA Central Region Tournament appearances.Â
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Wells spent the 2022-23 academic year at UT Tyler. She was a contributor to a team that won its conference regular season and tournament championships. UT Tyler eventually placed third at the NCAA Division II College World Series. Wells started in 29 of 45 games played. She hit .278 at the plate and connected on five home runs, four doubles, scored seven runs and had 26 RBIs. She also registered 20 walks to eight strikeouts.Â
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"I'm very excited to be able to coach Caitlyn again," McSweeney said. "She brings a lot of power with her bat. She will help add an undeniable force in our lineup. She also can pitch and play first base. Caitlyn is an extremely valuable addition to our team and we look forward to seeing how she can make an impact for us!"
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The South Dakota State softball team ended its 2023 season with a 39-19 overall record. The Jackrabbits earned The Summit League's regular season title for the third consecutive year with a 17-0 record in conference play. The SDSU squad advanced to postseason play, participating in the National Invitational Softball Championship, for the fifth straight season.
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