Upcoming Event: Softball at #5 Nebraska (DH) on March 5, 2026 at 4 p.m.
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4 p.m.
Softball
at #5 Nebraska (DH)
South Dakota State University Athletics
Thursday, March 5
Lincoln, Neb.
4 p.m.
South Dakota State University
at
Nebraska (DH)
Photo by: Miranda Sampson
SDSU SOFTBALL HEADS TO #5 NEBRASKA, COLORADO
3/4/2026 12:38:00 PM | Softball
| South Dakota State (12-9 Overall) at #5 Nebraska (14-5) | |
| When | 4 PM / 6PM - Thursday, March 5 |
| Location | Lincoln, Neb. (Bowlin Stadium) |
| Stream | Big Ten Plus |
| Live Stats | GoJacksLive.com |
| South Dakota State at Colorado Classic / Rams Invitational | |
| When | Saturday, March 7 - Sunday, March 8 |
| Location (Saturday) | Greeley, Colo. (Gloria Rodriguez Field) |
| Location (Sunday) | Fort Collins, Colo. (Ram Field) |
| Stream (vs. UNC Saturday) | ESPN+ |
| Stream (vs. CSU Sunday) | Mountain West Network |
| Live Stats | Saturday Games / Sunday Games |
South Dakota State begins a busy week on Thursday as the Jackrabbits travel to Lincoln to face nationally-ranked Nebraska in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. SDSU then heads to Colorado for a slate of four games over two days. The Jackrabbits will play in Greeley on Saturday and face Drake (noon) and host Northern Colorado (5 p.m.), followed by a doubleheader on Sunday in Fort Collins versus Drake (11 a.m.) and host Colorado State (1:30 p.m.).
SDSU is coming off an appearance at the OSU/Tulsa Invitational. The Jackrabbits played in a pair of one-run games, and were tied 4-4 midway through a Sunday affair at 13th-ranked Oklahoma State, but eventually ended their showing with an 0-5 record. The Jacks were led by multiple players while in the Tulsa region.Â
Amanda Vacanti and Bria Riebel each hit .500. Vacanti blasted two home runs and had four RBIs over five games, while Riebel had a four-hit game at Tulsa on Feb. 28. Ella Berlage (.385) and Alivya Bollen (.333) were also strong contributors at the plate, while Akayla Barnard hit two home runs and drove in three runs and was plated five times. Barnard started two games in the circle for SDSU and Vacanti had a complete game.
SDSU as a whole continues to have a steady presence at the plate. The Jacks rank among the top 50 teams in the nation in batting average (.333). They also boast the 13th-most doubles (43), are 16th in hits (196), 21st in home runs (29), 35th in slugging percentage (.564) and 44th in walks (77).
The Jackrabbits are currently 12-9 overall on the season. SDSU has several individuals that have had breakout seasons already just 21 games into the season.Â
Vacanti currently leads the SDSU battery in average (.490), home runs (7) and RBIs (17). She's already topped her freshman season totals in runs, hits, home runs and RBIs. She's currently the Summit League leader in average, slugging percentage (1.000) and home runs.
Alivya Bollen is second in the linup in average (.373). Her fourth year in the program, Bollen has already topped her season-best marks in hits (19), doubles (6), runs (10), RBIs (14) and walks (18). She ranks second in The Summit League in walks and sacrifice flies, fourth in on-base percentage (.514) and fifth in doubles.
Barnard is a returning All-Summit League First Team selection from last season and has stepped up her performance this season. She's currently hitting .366 which is an improvement on her .278 average last year as a sophomore playing ever day in center field. She's ranked among the top 10 individuals in The Summit League in 11 different categories, including first in home runs (7) and hits (26), as well as second in runs scored (26).
South Dakota State has been boosted by the play of freshmen in Riebel and Ella Berlage. Both have started every game so far in the SDSU infield this year and are hitting .356. The two also have over .430 on-base percentages.
Two seniors that are in their second years as everyday starters are Emma Christensen and Emma Vike. Both are currently hitting .329. Vike ranks tied for first in The Summit League in hits (26) and third in RBIs (22).
The Jackrabbits' rotation features four pitchers that have started games. SDSU's primarty starters include Madi mangulis, Hailey Herman, Barnard and Vacanti.
Coverage Information
South Dakota State's doubleheader at Nebraska will stream on Big Ten Plus. SDSU's game on Saturday against Northern Colorado will stream on ESPN+. The Jackrabbits' Sunday meeting with Colorado State streams on the Mountain West Network. 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-
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Players Mentioned
OF/P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
1B/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P/OF
/ Softball
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