SDSU CLOSES STAY IN COLORADO

Sunday, March 8

Fort Collins, Colo.

11 a.m.

South Dakota State University

14-12

Drake

5-12

Drake

South Dakota State

A softball player wearing an SDSU uniform and blue helmet stands on the field holding a ball, with the outfield fence and a building visible in the background.

Amanda Vacanti

Photo by: Jesus Ayala

3/8/2026 9:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The South Dakota State softball team fell in a doubleheader on Sunday as a part of the Rams Invitational. The Jackrabbits lost 5-3 to Drake then was defeated 8-0 in five innings by host Colorado State.

Game One
Drake held a 3-0 lead after the top of the third before an Emma Vike solo home run made it 3-1 heading to the fourth inning.

The Bulldogs scored another pair of runs in the fourth. SDSU responded with a pair of runs in the fifth. Bria Riebel hit a solo home run, then a sacrifice fly off the bat of Abby Gentry cut the score to 5-3.

Drake's pitching staff wouldn't allow the Jackrabbits to threaten in the sixth or seventh innings. Ava Husak allowed three runs over the course of five innings en route to earning a win in the circle. Cassidy Gall didn't allow a hit through two innings of relief to claim a save for the Bulldogs.

Starter Amanda Vacanti pitched the first inning for the Jackrabbits and was credited with the loss. Pitchers Hailey Herman and Madi Mangulis each threw two innings and didn't allow a hit or run in their respective appearances.

The SDSU lineup mustered seven hits. Vacanti and Alivya Bollen each registered two.

Game Two
Colorado State scored six runs in the first inning and never looked back in an 8-0 victory over SDSU.

Rams' starting pitcher Reagan Wick was stellar in the circle. She threw five innings and didn't allow a run. Wick gave up three hits, did not allow a walk and struck out four batters as she improved to 8-4 this season.

Akayla Barnard started the game for the Jacks at pitcher. Mangulis pitched 2 1/3 innings while Bella MacMahon closed SDSU's showing in Colorado out by throwing the remaining 1 1/3 innings.

Barnard, Bollen and Quinn Marnocha produced the Jackrabbits' hits in the ballgame.

South Dakota State is now 14-13 overall on the season following Sunday's games.

UP NEXT
South Dakota State will head to the Lone Star State for its final appearance in Texas. The Jackrabbits will participate in the Maverick Invitational, hosted by UT Arlington, starting on Friday, March 13.

-GoJacks.com-