JACKRABBITS BEAT MEAN GREEN IN TOURNEY FINALE

Sunday, February 18

Denton, Texas

1:30 p.m.

South Dakota State University

5-5

North Texas

3-5

South Dakota State

North Texas

Lindsey Culver

Photo by: Mario Terrana

2/18/2024 4:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

DENTON, Texas — Starting pitcher Shannon Lasey allowed just one hit over the course of 5 2/3 innings and South Dakota State's lineup produced nine hits as the Jackrabbits defeated North Texas, 7-2, Sunday in the finale of the Tracy Beard College Classic at Lovelace Stadium.

SDSU got out to a two-run lead in the first. Mia Jarecki led the game off with a single, while Akayla Barnard and Emma Osmundson reached base to put three runners on with no outs. North Texas starter Skylar Savage got two consecutive force outs and was narrowly out of the inning before a two-run single by Jocelyn Carrillo put the Jackrabbits ahead, 2-0.

Lasey was strong out of the gate in the circle as she had a 1-2-3 first inning thanks to a double play. The second inning saw the Mean Green get a runner to third base, but Lasey had three strikeouts including an inning-ending fan to get out of the frame.

Akayla Barnard began the third with a triple and was plated by Emma Osmundson to put the Jacks on top 3-0. Lindsey Culver and Rozelyn Carrillo each hit singles in the inning before being stranded on base.

North Texas finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Rylee Nicholson hit a one-out double and eventually scored on a wild pitch with two outs to make it a 3-1 score.

The Jackrabbits essentially put the game out of reach by scoring a combined four runs over the next two innings. SDSU recorded three runs in the fifth thanks to a two-run double by Abby Gentry along with Kaylee Kardash being plated on a North Texas fielding error. The Jacks added another in the sixth. Jarecki again led an inning off with a single. She'd eventually cross home on a Culver fielder's choice to push the SDSU edge to 7-1.

Lasey registered a 1-2-3 fifth inning before running into a threat in the sixth. The Mean Green loaded the bases with two outs as SDSU went to Tori Kniesche in relief. The Jackrabbit senior pitcher struck out the lone batter she faced in the inning to head to the seventh.

The Mean Green hit a solo home run in the final inning of play, but SDSU closed the game out with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout.

South Dakota State finished the tournament hosted by North Texas with a 2-3 mark and is now 5-5 overall. The Mean Green fell to 3-5 overall.

Notes

Lasey manufactured one of her best performances of her career as a Jackrabbit against North Texas. She allowed just one hit and one run on five walks while striking out six hitters. It was just the second time in her tenure at SDSU that Lasey gave up one hit in more than five innings of work. She improved to 2-1 on the season.
Jarecki, Culver and Jocelyn Carrillo had two hits apiece. Seven different Jackrabbits made up for the team's seven runs scored.

Up Next
South Dakota State travels to Central Arkansas for the second consecutive season. The Jackrabbits are slated to compete in the Bears' Michelle Short Memorial Classic from Feb. 23-25.

-GoJacks.com-