JACKS SHUT OUT LIONS, FALL TO NO. 11 TIGERS

Friday, February 16

Denton, Texas

1:30 p.m.

South Dakota State University

4-2

Texas A&M Commerce

4-4

Texas A&M-Commerce

South Dakota State

Emma Osmundson

Photo by: Mario Terrana

2/16/2024 9:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

DENTON, Texas — The South Dakota State softball team split a pair of competitive games to open play at the Tracey Beard College Classic on Friday at Lovelace Stadium. The Jackrabbits began the day with a 2-0 victory over Texas A&M Commerce and followed it by dropping a 4-3 contest to 11th-ranked Missouri on the campus of North Texas.

Game 1 (vs. Texas A&M Commerce)
The Jackrabbits faced off against a Lions squad that had just fell to Mizzou by a 1-0 score with both teams pitching no-hitters. SDSU got on the board first inning and added an insurance run in the fifth en route to the 2-0 win in the two sides' first ever meeting.

SDSU freshman Akayla Barnard got the Jackrabbits off to a strong start in the circle. After a allowing a leadoff single, Barnard got in a groove and ended the frame with a 1-2-3 inning when freshman catcher Abby Gentry gunned down a runner trying to steal second base.

The Jackrabbits got on the board with two outs inning the bottom of the inning. Emma Osmundson hit an inside-the-park home run to put SDSU ahead 1-0.

Barnard continued to keep the Lions at bay. She walked a batter in the third but the runner wouldn't advance from there. Barnard allowed a single to the Texas A&M Commerce leadoff hitter in the fifth, but got out of the frame by picking up three consecutive outs.

SDSU pushed another run across home in the bottom of the inning. Alexa Williams walked to begin the frame. Emma Christensen came in to pinch run for her and she advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cheyanne Masterson. Christensen moved to third on a groundout, then Mia Jarecki hit an RBI single through the left side of the infield to give the Jackrabbits the 2-0 edge.

Barnard made quick work of the Lions lineup. Another 1-2-3 sixth led into the seventh. Texas A&M Commerce had a leadoff hitter hit a single, but three straight groundouts ended the innings with no runs plated to close things out.

Barnard picked up the first victory of her college career. She pitched seven innings and gave up just three hits. Barnard struck out six hitters and walked one.

SDSU had four hits in the game. Osmundson, Jarecki, Gentry and Jocelyn Carrillo each produced one hit for the Jacks.

Game 2 (vs. Missouri)
The Jackrabbits and Tigers batted deep into the seventh inning, but nationally-ranked Missouri came away with a 4-3 victory.

The Tigers began the first with three singles, a stolen base and sacrifice fly that added up to a 2-0 lead over the Jacks off starter Tori Kniesche. SDSU responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Osmundson hit a two-out double and was plated on an RBI single by Gentry to cut the score to 2-1.

A quiet second inning led to the third which ended in a 2-all score. Cheyanne Masterson began the bottom of the frame with a triple and was drove in on an RBI single by Carrillo.

Mizzou struck back in the top of the fourth. An infield error got the inning started, then two consecutive walks loaded the bases. A hit by pitch brought in one run and a fielder's choice scored another, but put two outs on the board. Kniesche got out of the innings with a flyout to left field, however SDSU trailed 4-2.

The Tigers went to the bullpen ahead of the sixth and the Jackrabbits were able to cut the deficit to 4-3. Osmundson hit a double down the right-field line and advanced to third on a passed ball. Gentry plated her again on a single. The Jackrabbits were able to get runners on first and third, but they would be stranded due to a groundout.

Williams came in for relief for Kniesche in the seventh and worked through a possible threat. She gave up a walk to begin the inning but the runner was caught stealing by Brooke Dumont. Following consecutive outs, another runner reached base on catcher's interference before a flyout ended the top of the frame.

Carrillo got SDSU's last at bat started on the right foot with a single. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, putting her in scoring position with one out. The Tigers worked their way out of the jam with two straight strikeouts to end the game.

The Tigers improved to 7-0 overall with their two victories on the day. Their starter, Laurin Krings, is now 4-0 in the circle this season after throwing five innings. She gave up five hits and two runs while striking out three Jackrabbits. Kniesche fell to 2-2 this season. She pitched six innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and talks walks. Kniesche struck out four Tigers.

Osmudnson, Gentry and Carrillo had two hits apiece for the Jackrabbits. Masterson and Lindsey Culver also produced hits.

Notes

South Dakota is now 4-3 on the season following the opening day of the North Texas tournament.
The Jacks are 1-22 all-time against ranked opponents following their loss to Mizzou on Friday.
Osmundson is hitting a team-best .455 through seven games this season. She also has a team-high two home runs and eight runs scored.
Williams dropped her ERA to 2.33 which is a team best. Barnard lowered her ERA from 28.00 to 3.50 in her second appearance in the circle of her college career.

Up Next
South Dakota State returns to action at the Tracey Beard College Classic on Saturday. The Jackrabbits face Missouri in a rematch at 11 a.m. SDSU then plays host North Texas at 4 p.m.

-GoJacks.com-