BROOKINGS, S.D. – Second-seeded Omaha advanced to the program's third straight #SummitSB Championship title game after knocking off fourth-seeded South Dakota 14-2 in a winner's bracket game Friday at Jackrabbit Softball Stadium. The Mavericks notched the run-rule victory thanks to eight hits, 10 walks and by taking advantage of four errors by the Coyotes' defense.
Rightfielder Rachel Weber finished 2-for-5 with a game-high four RBI to pace the Omaha offense that saw Kamryn Meyer and Sydney Nuismer combined to strike out eight and allow just two hits over five innings in the circle.
The offensive outburst began right from the start as Weber drove home Lynsey Tucker with an RBI-double to get a five-run first inning started for the Mavericks. Ava Rongisch drove in two with a single through the left side, then Sophie Cerveny and Tucker both drew bases-loaded walks to cap the scoring.
Omaha pushed the lead to 9-0 with four more runs in the second. Marra Cramer registered an RBI-single before the Mavericks scored their next three runs on an error and pair of fielder's choice groundouts.
With the Mavericks holding a comfortable lead after two frames, Nuismer relieved Meyer of her duties in the circle and the Coyotes quickly capitalized on the pitching change. Courtney Wilson delivered an RBI-double and Delaney White added a sacrifice fly to make it a 9-2 contest.
South Dakota threatened for more, but Nuismer was able to leave a pair of Coyotes stranded and did not yield another run or hit the rest of the way.
Omaha pushed its advantage to double figures with a four-spot in the top of the fourth. Weber cleared the bases with a three-run single to right center and would cap the scoring after the Mavericks executed a double steal of second and home.
The Mavericks would tally one more unearned run in the fifth before Nuismer closed out the victory by retiring the Coyotes in order in the fifth.
Pitcher of Record
Win – Kamryn Meyer (16-7): 2.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts
Loss – Clara Edwards (15-11): 1.0 IP, 4 hits, 5 earned runs, 3 walks, 1 strikeout
Notable Notes
• The Mavericks will play in the title game for the third consecutive season
• Omaha scored 14 runs on just two extra base hits and the 14 runs were tied for the sixth most in a tournament game in League history
• Kamryn Meyer notched four strikeouts in two innings of work
• Sydney Nuismer threw the final three innings for Omaha with two walks and four strikeouts
• A trio of Mavericks recorded a pair of hits and were led by Rachel Weber’s four RBI
Up Next
Omaha will play in its third straight #SummitSB Championship title game on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. The Mavericks will face the winner of the tournament's next elimination game between No. 1 South Dakota State and No. 4 South Dakota that is slated to start at 5:55 p.m. CT today.
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