VERMILLION, S.D. – Second-seeded Omaha moved to familiar territory and into the semifinals as the Mavericks eliminated No. 4 South Dakota with a 3-1 victory in game five of the #SummitSB Championship.
Omaha pitcher Sydney Nuismer outdueled USD starter Clara Edwards in what turned out to be a defensive battle with highlight-reel plays and clutch outs. Both teams were coming off two-run losses in their first games of the tournament, with Omaha falling to NDSU yesterday and USD coming up short against SDSU earlier today.
South Dakota opened the home half of the first inning with the bases loaded, and shortstop Lauren Eamiguel registered a sacrifice fly to bring home the first run of the game. USD was able to put two runners in scoring position in the bottom half of the third inning, but Nuismer was able to escape the inning.
Omaha third basemen Jamie White laced a double to right field in the third inning, and after she advanced to third from the next batter, Rachel Weber recorded an RBI groundout to knot it at 1-1.
Izzy Eltze recorded her second hit of the day to lead off the top of the sixth inning and the Maverick offense did the rest, as Lynsey Tucker posted a single of her own. After White advanced the runners to second and third, Lexi Burkhardt delivered in the clutch with a go-ahead two-run double up the middle and that's all Nuismer needed to move on.
USD had the tying run at the plate with two outs I the bottom of the seventh inning, as Tatum Villotta reached first on a single through the left side, but Nuismer got out of the inning and recorded her fourth complete-game effort of the season.
Pitcher of Record
Win – Sydney Nuismer (6-4): 7 IP, 4 hits, 1 unearned runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
Loss – Clara Edwards (16-14): 7 IP, 7 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts
Notable Notes
• Omaha's Lexi Burkhardt was the lone player to record multiple hits, as she went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs
• Sydney Nuismer posted her fourth complete-game effort of the season
• Omaha will look for its second straight trip to the #SummitSB Championship
Up Next
Omaha will take on the loser of the South Dakota vs. North Dakota State game later today at 4:30 p.m. CT.
#SummitSB
