SDSU WINS PAIR OF GAMES TO OPEN HUSKER TOURNEY

Saturday, March 8

Lincoln, Neb.

4 p.m.

South Dakota State University

7-12

Northern Iowa

10-7

Northern Iowa

South Dakota State

Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann

3/8/2025 9:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

LINCOLN, Neb. – South Dakota State began its appearance at Nebraska's Big Red Spring Fling in style on Saturday as the Jackrabbits won both of their games at Bowlin Stadium. SDSU earned back-to-back victories over Northern Iowa and Northern Colorado, 6-1 and 4-1, respectively.

Game One (vs. Northern Iowa)
South Dakota State starter Akayla Barnard pitched her third complete game of her career, and completed the feat in her second consecutive start, to lead the Jacks from the circle in their 6-1 win against the Panthers.

Barnard ran into a bit of trouble early. Northern Iowa was able to draw four walks in the first inning and put the first run on the board. Barnard limited the Panthers to that as the Jackrabbit lineup struck back quickly in the bottom of the frame.

Barnard hit a one-out single and Brooke Dumont followed with a double to put two runners on base. Sophomore Abby Gentry came up and hit a three-run home run over the center field fence to put the Jacks on top, 3-1.

SDSU scored a run apiece in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Emma Vike hit an RBI single in the third, Barnard grounded out but plated a run in the fourth and Caitlyn Wells produced a pinch-hit RBI double in the fifth.

Barnard threw four straight 1-2-3 innings and had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning. The Panthers were able to pick up their first hit with their lead-off batter in the frame. Northern Iowa wasn't able to do anything with a single however as Barnard cruised through her final two innings of work.

Gentry finished the game with her first four-hit game of her career. She had a hit in all four of her at-bats while she recorded three RBIs and two runs scored. Dumont registered three hits and Alli Boyle had two.

Barnard went the distance for the Jackrabbits as she improved to 3-3 on the season. She gave up one run on one hit and five walks, while she struck out six.

Game Two (vs. Northern Colorado)
South Dakota State was buoyed by its pitching staff and took advantage of extra-base hits in its 4-1 night-cap victory over Northern Colorado.

The Jackrabbits went ahead in the first, 2-0, over the Bears. Barnard and Dumont each drew walks and the two would be plated on a two-run double by Gentry. Barnard hit a solo home run in the top of the third to make it 3-0.

SDSU starter Amanda Vacanti was relieved after two-plus innings by Hailey Herman. The two, along with another pitcher in Madi Mangulis, limited the damage to just a run for Northern Colorado in the third, as the score went into the fourth with the Jacks holding a 3-1 edge.

Mangulis eventually pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and a walk, but kept the Bears lineup off the scoreboard. The score remained 3-1 as the top of the sixth came and saw Vike hit a solo home run to extend the Jackrabbit lead to 4-1.

SDSU went to freshman Tayler Baker in the circle for the sixth and seventh innings. She struck out four batters, while giving up a hit and a walk, and closed the game out for the Jackrabbits in the victory.

Vike went 3-for-3 at the plate for South Dakota State. Gentry picked up two hits and drove in two runs. Barnard scored two runs. Mangulis's performance in relief garnered her a victory improving her record to 2-3 this season. Baker was credited with the first save of her college career.

The Jackrabbits are now 8-12 overall this season following the pair of wins Saturday.

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits continue play at the Big Red Spring Fling on Sunday. SDSU faces Northern Colorado in a rematch at 1:30 p.m., then takes on host No. 19/20 Nebraska at 6:30 p.m. at the Huskers' Bowlin Stadium.

-GoJacks.com-