South Dakota State University Athletics
2025 Softball Roster
Jersey Number 21
Akayla Barnard
- Position:
- Pitcher/Utility
- Height:
- 5-7
- Class:
- Sophomore
- High School:
- Cabot H.S.
- Hometown:
- Cabot, Ark.
Bio
PRONUNCIATION
HONORS & AWARDS
2025: Appeared and started in 54 games … as a pitcher, she appeared in 14 games and made 13 starts … posted a 4.46 ERA while striking out 32 in 42 1/3 innings of work …  at the plate she hit .278 behind 45 hits including six doubles, three triples, and seven home runs … recorded 34 RBIs and scored 37 runs … had 12 multi-hit games with a four-hit performance against Omaha (May 9) … drove in five RBIs which included a grand slam in a March 11 victory over Northern Illinois ... recorded career high in strikeouts with seven against SFA (February 7) … earned All-Summit League First Team honors.
2024: Appeared in 35 games with 32 starts … made 12 showings in the circle with four starts … posted a 5-2 record including a complete game shutout against Texas A&M Commerce (February 16) … struck out 27 in 33 2/3 innings of work with a 4.16 ERA … in the box hit .253 behind 24 hits, with three doubles, four triples and a home run … also stole three bases and drove in 12 runs while scoring 21 times … had six multi-hit games and two multi-RBI games including a three RBI game against Fresno State (February 8)Â
Before SDSU: A multiple year standout for Cabot High School … led the Panthers to back-to-back conference titles Arkansas Class 6A Championship runner-up finishes … a three-time All-State First Team performer and all-conference selection, as well as two-time All-State Tournament Team accolades … high performer in the circle as well as offensively for Cabot … as a senior led Cabot to a 21-3 record … during the season threw 108 1/3 innings and had a 1.62 ERA struck out 182 batters … had a 15-strikeout appearance in the Class 6A semifinals while giving up one hit … finished 2023 with a .507 batting average to go along with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, 33 runs scored, four doubles and a .544 on-base percentage … claimed her team’s Offensive Player of the Year award as a junior and was Cabot’s Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore … a 4.0 GPA student in high school … plans to major in education at South Dakota State University.
HONORS & AWARDS
- 2025 All-Summit League First Team
- 2025 Academic All-Summit League Team
- 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
- 2024-25 Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence
- 2023-24 & 2024-25 Summit League Academic Honor Roll
- 2024-25 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete
2025: Appeared and started in 54 games … as a pitcher, she appeared in 14 games and made 13 starts … posted a 4.46 ERA while striking out 32 in 42 1/3 innings of work …  at the plate she hit .278 behind 45 hits including six doubles, three triples, and seven home runs … recorded 34 RBIs and scored 37 runs … had 12 multi-hit games with a four-hit performance against Omaha (May 9) … drove in five RBIs which included a grand slam in a March 11 victory over Northern Illinois ... recorded career high in strikeouts with seven against SFA (February 7) … earned All-Summit League First Team honors.
2024: Appeared in 35 games with 32 starts … made 12 showings in the circle with four starts … posted a 5-2 record including a complete game shutout against Texas A&M Commerce (February 16) … struck out 27 in 33 2/3 innings of work with a 4.16 ERA … in the box hit .253 behind 24 hits, with three doubles, four triples and a home run … also stole three bases and drove in 12 runs while scoring 21 times … had six multi-hit games and two multi-RBI games including a three RBI game against Fresno State (February 8)Â
Before SDSU: A multiple year standout for Cabot High School … led the Panthers to back-to-back conference titles Arkansas Class 6A Championship runner-up finishes … a three-time All-State First Team performer and all-conference selection, as well as two-time All-State Tournament Team accolades … high performer in the circle as well as offensively for Cabot … as a senior led Cabot to a 21-3 record … during the season threw 108 1/3 innings and had a 1.62 ERA struck out 182 batters … had a 15-strikeout appearance in the Class 6A semifinals while giving up one hit … finished 2023 with a .507 batting average to go along with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, 33 runs scored, four doubles and a .544 on-base percentage … claimed her team’s Offensive Player of the Year award as a junior and was Cabot’s Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore … a 4.0 GPA student in high school … plans to major in education at South Dakota State University.
Volleyball Highlights vs Wyoming (09.07.2025)
Sunday, September 07
Jackrabbit Sports Network Booth Cam - Montana State (09.06.2025)
Sunday, September 07
Football Postgame Comments at Montana State (09.06.2025)
Sunday, September 07
Football Highlights at Montana State (09.06.2025)
Sunday, September 07
