JACKS DROP DOUBLEHEADER IN CONWAY

Sunday, February 23

Conway, Ark.

3 p.m.

South Dakota State University

5-5

Central Arkansas

4-8

South Dakota St.

Central Arkansas

Mia Jarecki

Photo by: Mario Terrana

2/23/2025 8:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

CONWAY, Ark. — South Dakota State fell in a pair of games the Jackrabbits played in on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Michelle Short & Adam Brown Tournament hosted by Central Arkansas. The Jacks lost to the host Bears in five innings, 8-0. They had a tight meeting against No. 11/13 Oklahoma State, but eventually dropped a 5-2 game to the Cowgirls.

Central Arkansas scored three runs in the first inning, then another five across the fourth and fifth innings, to run rule SDSU in game one.

The Bears recorded seven hits while benefitting from four Jackrabbit errors. Central Arkansas also stole seven bases and drew five walks all while not striking out at the plate.

Four Jacks registered hits in Amanda Vacanti, Abby Gentry, Alli Boyle and Alissa Wernz. SDSU starter Akayla Barnard was credited with the loss in the circle. Vacanti pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief allowing a run (none earned) in that stretch.

Game two saw SDSU face its first nationally-ranked opponent of the season in Oklahoma State.

The Jackrabbits got off to a strong start in the top of the first. Mia Jarecki hit a lead-off home run to give South Dakota State its first run of the game. Three batters later, and with two outs, Brooke Dumont smoked a 2-2 pitch over the fence for another SDSU solo home run.

Jackrabbit starting pitcher Tayler Baker pitched tough against the loaded Cowgirl lineup. She allowed a run apiece in the second and third innings, but only one was earned.

The two sides remained tied through five innings. Baker was eventually chased out of the circle in the sixth as Oklahoma State loaded the bases. Reliever Madi Mangulis came on to try to get the Jacks out of the jam, but the Cowgirls scored three runs on two hits, two walks and a hit by pitch.

Madi Conklin got on base via single in the top of the seventh, but the Cowgirls limited the threat to that on their way to the win.

Dumont finished with two of South Dakota State's four hits in the meeting versus No. 11/13 Oklahoma State. Baker picked up the loss as she threw 5-plus innings. She gave up just three hits, but allowed five runs (four earned) and walked seven batters.

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits play their tournament finale on Monday. SDSU faces host Central Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. at the Bears' Farris Field.

-GoJacks.com-