THIRD-RANKED BLUE DEVILS BEAT JACKRABBITS

Friday, March 8

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

South Dakota State University

11-13

Duke (DH)

18-1

Jackrabbits

Duke

Tori Kniesche

Photo by: Andy Mead

3/8/2024 6:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

DURHAM, N.C. — One of the nation's top teams had its hands full in the first game of a doubleheader, then put things together in game two as No. 3 Duke swept South Dakota State at Duke Softball Stadium on Friday. The Blue Devils used a three-run fifth inning to claim a 3-0 victory over the Jackrabbits in the first matchup, then defeated SDSU 7-0 to close the twin-bill out.

The first game of the doubleheader was a pitcher's duel between SDSU's Tori Kniesche and Duke's Cassidy Curd. Both starters kept the opposing side hitless through the first four innings of action.

Duke finally got in the score column in the fifth. A lead-off single led to a sacrifice bunt, putting a runner on second base. An RBI single followed by an RBI double put the Blue Devils in front, 2-0. Following a flyout, another RBI single pushed the Duke lead to 3-0. The Jackrabbits got out of the jam with a runner on third base as catcher Brooke Dumont threw a runner out trying to steal second.

The Jackrabbits brought Alexa Williams in for relief in the sixth. The Blue Devils got two runners on base via a walk and double, but Williams got out of the jam by ending the inning with consecutive outs behind a groundout and strikeout.

SDSU's lineup faced a tough task going against one of the best pitching staffs in the country. Duke came into the game with Division I softball's fourth-best ERA and second most shutout total this season.

Mia Jarecki had SDSU's lone hit in the game to lead-off the seventh with an infield single. Kniesche eventually was credited with the loss. The senior pitcher had a strong performance by throwing five innings. Kniesche gave up three runs on four hits and three walks while she struck out two.

The Blue Devils jumped ahead early in game two and completed another shutout with a 7-0 win over the Jackrabbits. Duke scored three runs in the first and four in the fourth to create plenty of separation on its home field.

Duke hit only eight singles in the game, but took advantage of two walks and two SDSU miscues in the field. Blue Devils pitcher Jala Wright was stellar in the circle as she gave up just two hits and a walk while striking out nine batters in six innings of work.

Producing base hits for the Jackrabbits were Madi Conklin, Alli Boyle and Jocelyn Carrillo. Conklin's single was the first hit as a Jackrabbit. Carrillo hit a triple with two outs in the seventh. Pitcher Shannon Lasey was credited with the loss. She threw six innings and gave up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while she struck out two.

Up Next
South Dakota State has added a doubleheader to its current road trip. The Jackrabbits will travel to Kennesaw, Georgia, to face the Kennesaw State Owls. The pair of games begin at 11 a.m. CT.

-GoJacks.com-