SDSU SOFTBALL EYES STRONG UPCOMING SEASON

The South Dakota State softball program looks to remain among the contenders in The Summit League in 2026 as the Jackrabbits return a solid core of their lineup from a season ago.

The story surrounding the squad at the start of last season was replacing departures from the season prior. The 2025 Jackrabbits had to replace a senior class that included a majority of players that had helped the program earn four Summit League regular season titles and advance to two NCAA Tournament appearances.

The fall slate brought a sense of comfortability with a group that returns seven starters and a double-digit amount of letterwinners. However, that has also amplified the outlook SDSU has for itself.

"We have hammered chemistry," SDSU head coach Kristina McSweeney said of the team's fall focus. "In the past, the chemistry was already there because we were so upperclassmen heavy. Last year, we had to spend a lot of time with new players on basic, fundamental softball. Now we're at a place where we expect them to know those things and they need to handle them on their own.

"The hope we have is that they play with a lot more confidence (this season). Last year, it felt like survival of the fittest. Now, they know what it takes to win and be good. Now, it's about knowing how to do it and doing it well. Last year, winning 29 games was amazing. This year, we have even higher expectations."

One of the emphases McSweeney addressed this fall has been the team's defense. Several players were nearly everyday starters a season ago out in the field that return in Abby Gentry, Emma Vike, Akayla Barnard, Alli Boyle and Emma Christensen. Beyond that, SDSU's remaining spots in the field either need to be replaced or saw players go in and out of the lineup to fill in positions. McSweeney hopes to have solved some of the defensive miscues that were caused by changing faces in the field.

"I feel like defensively where we needed to get better, we got better," McSweeney said. "There's less of a revolving door at certain positions. I think we've gotten to a place to where we know what our defense is going to look like. I think there's been a lot of growth defensively overall."

One of the highlights of last season's team came in the form of its approach at the plate. SDSU's lineup produced some of the best numbers across several categories in program history. The Jacks' 2025 hitters recorded their second-most doubles (89) and walks drawn (222), fourth total home runs (50), RBIs (285) and total bases (706), as well as fifth most runs scored (300). Their .302 batting average as a team was the Jackrabbits' third highest in its Division I era.

But, improvement could be seen with those that do find their way into the box for the Jacks. SDSU hit just .235 in pinch hit opportunities a season ago and only return five pinch hits total combined with two players this season.

"Between everyday players or players that come off the bench, I think we've been more consistent," McSweeney said of the team's offensive approach. "We have a roster of players that can find their way into our lineup.

"I feel like we have got to a point where we have 12-14 hitters that we will be able to utilize. We can DP a player and give another one some playing time on the field. We're to a point that we can give some more players opportunities and know they can produce for us."

Gentry, the 2025 Summit League Player of the Year, led SDSU in hitting last year hitting with a .427 average along with 16 doubles and 56 RBIs. During the team's fall schedule, she was one of 14 Jackrabbits that hit over .300 at the plate.

Another storyline that will have a different prospective going into the year is SDSU's pitching staff. A season ago, the Jacks entered their 2025 schedule as one of the most inexperienced staffs in Division I softball. This year, the Jackrabbits will enter 2026 with all but six innings of 365 pitched returning.

Now sophomores Tayler Baker and Sylvia Shromoff were Summit League Second Team and an honorable mention, respectively, in 2025. Madi Mangulis had an under 4.00 ERA while pitching 71.2 innings, while Amanda Vacanti had the team's lowest ERA of 3.25. Both Akayla Barnard and Hailey Herman return as juniors after throwing over 40 innings last season.

"I think there have been five pitchers that have solidified innings for us. Tayler, Sylvia, Amanda and Madi, I see them in more of a starting role. I think Hailey is going to be extremely effective on the back side of them, but I can also see her starting. Those five have really elevated their games to where I feel very confident with any of them now on the mound. Akayla has also returned and shown some promise.

"I think our young pitchers that got a lot of time last year are that much better. There's a large jump from where we started last year to where we're at now."

The Jackrabbits will be without the services of 2025 All-Summit League selections in Brooke Dumont and Mia Jarecki. The two were three-year starters for the program as Jarecki primarily held duties at second base and Dumont at catcher. McSweeney noted that it won't be easy to place somebody into their spots in the lineup and will look to two freshmen to provide depth in the Jackrabbits' infield.

"How do you graduate a Mia Jarecki and replace her? You don't. I believe that Bria Riebel is going to be able to come in and do an incredible job. I think a combination of her and Ella Berlage, between the two of them, will help our infield.

Catcher takes on a very important role with responsibilities behind the plate, working with the pitching staff and coming up to bat. It's an important spot that will still take some time still for the Jackrabbits to develop.

"You look at Brooke Dumont and the role she had for us the last 2-3 years, she was so great, McSweeney said. "I think that role is a combination of people. Mia Buske, Kendall Daniel, as well as Berlage, who's learning the position, can have impacts for us there. That's certainly a question mark that we're working through right now."

In less than three months, the Jackrabbits will return to the diamond to begin the 2026 season. That means there's plenty of time to work on some of the things that will have them ready for first pitch.

"Our big focus is creating bonds," McSweeney said of her defense. "Offensively, it's about limiting swings and misses. Continuing to be double and home run efficient. I think we have taken a jump offensively limiting the swings and misses. On the mound, cleaning up issues we've had previously like walks last year. We very much focused on being direct with our pitches and zoning up. I think all of our pitchers have PR'd this fall, so I envision us taking one more big jump before February."

-GoJacks.com-

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Players Mentioned

Tayler Baker

Akayla Barnard

Alli Boyle

Mia Buske

Emma Christensen

Kendall Daniel

Brooke Dumont

Abby Gentry

Hailey Herman

Mia Jarecki

Madi Mangulis

Sylvia Shromoff

Amanda Vacanti

Emma Vike

Completed Event: Softball versus Augustana on October 5, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Softball versus Minnesota Crookston on September 28, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Softball versus Sioux Falls / Morningside on September 21, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Softball versus SMSU on September 14, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Softball versus #3 South Dakota on May 9, 2025 , Loss , 2, to, 3 , 8 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball versus #1 Omaha on May 9, 2025 , Loss , 6, to, 8 , 9 Inn.

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