JACKRABBITS TRAVEL TO OKLAHOMA FOR OSU/TULSA INVITATIONAL

Friday, February 27

Tulsa, Okla.

12 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Tulsa

Bria Riebel

Photo by: Mario Terrana

2/26/2026 10:03:00 AM | Softball

By: Andrew Pedersen

OSU/Tulsa Invitational
When	Friday, Feb. 27 - Sunday, March 1
Location	Tulsa, Okla. (Family Collins Softball Complex)
Location (Sunday Only)	Stillwater, Okla. (Cowgirl Stadium)
Stream (vs. OK State Only)	ESPN+
Live Stats	GoJacksLive.com
South Dakota State	Game Notes

South Dakota State returns to the OSU/Tulsa Invitational for the first time since 2023 as the Jackrabbits gear up for a five-game stay in Oklahoma. The Jackrabbits will play four games combined on Friday and Saturday in Tulsa, while SDSU takes on Oklahoma State in Stillwater at noon on Sunday.

The Jackrabbits' previous appearance at the event, split hosted by the Cowgirls and Golden Hurricane, saw SDSU go 3-2. The Jacks earned a pair of wins over Tarleton State and beat host Tulsa, 7-1. State dropped back-to-back games to then third-ranked Oklahoma State, 4-0 and 6-0.

The Jacks are currently 12-4 overall heading to the OSU/Tulsa Invitational. SDSU is coming off a 3-1 showing at the Velvet Milkman Classic hosted by Murray State. Across the four games the Jackrabbits hit .387 and combined to blast 10 home runs and score 34 runs. SDSU's lineup was led by Amanda Vacanti who batted .667 and hit three home runs and drive in nine runs. Her performance garnered her Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performer of the Week accolades. Following her in the lineup that had standout weeks hitting were Abby Gentry (.500) and Emma Vike (.467). Both hit three runs while they had six and 10 RBIs, apiece.

SDSU as a whole continues to have a steady presence at the plate. The Jacks rank 24th in the nation in batting average (.354). They also boast the third-most doubles (39), seventh highest hit total (159) and 12th most RBIs (117). SDSU also ranks 16th in walks (66).

The SDSU customary lineup features its 1-9 batters all hitting at least .295. Pacing the charge are Vacanti (.485), Vike (.403), Akayla Barnard (.393), Alivya Bollen (.389) and Emma Christensen (.385). Two freshmen in Ella Berlage and Bria Riebel have also made immediate impacts with the duo batting .348 and .311, respectively.

The Jackrabbit pitching rotation has seen eight make appearances in the circle this season. Leading the way in games pitched this year are Madi Mangulis (10), Hailey Herman (7), Vacanti (6) and Barnard (5). Mangulis and Herman currently have the team's best ERAs of 3.09 and 3.17. Last week saw Barnard throw a team-high seven innings while accuring a 2.00 ERA. She earned a five-inning complete game victory in a start then closed out a two-inning save last Saturday versus IU Indy.

South Dakota State's 12-4 record through 16 games is its best since the 2021 season. That year saw the Jacks open the slate with a 13-3 record. That team would make SDSU's first NCAA Tournament appearance during its Division I era.

The Jacks will face a contingent of competitive squads this weekend. SDSU is 1-3 all-time against Tulsa with the Golden Hurricane earning a 9-3 win over the Jackrabbits a season ago. The Jacks have recent history with SEMO defeating the Redhawks twice in 2024, a year in which SEMO advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska is 11-4 this season and ranks as high as fourth in national polls. Oklahoma State is also 11-4 and is high as 13th in the national rankings.

Coverage Information
South Dakota State's game versus Oklahaoma State on Sunday will stream on ESPN+. Live stats for all five games the Jackrabbits play in are available on GoJacksLive.com. For more information about Jackrabbit softball, you can follow the team social media accounts (@GoJacksSoftball) or visit the team page at GoJacks.com.

-GoJacks.com-