BROOKINGS, S.D. – Tori Kniesche’s stellar pitching performance and a six-run third inning lifted top-seeded South Dakota State to a 7-0 victory over fourth-seeded South Dakota. With the win, the Jackrabbits advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Summit League Softball Championship at Jackrabbit Softball Stadium in Brookings, S.D.
 
The only true threat the Coyotes had came in the second when they had two runners on, but Kniesche got out of the jam with a strikeout as she was able to record her League-leading ninth shutout of the season.
 
The Jackrabbits provided all the scoring Kniesche would need with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the third. Madi Conklin began the frame with a leadoff walk. Pinch-runner Kaylee Kardash would move to third thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Cheyanne Masterson and  throwing error by the USD defense.

Mia Jarecki would then load the bases after drawing a walk, setting the stage for SDSU's first hit of the game, which came off the bat of Emma Osmundson, who delivered a two-run single to center.
 
Lindsey Culver extended the lead to 4-0 after a line drive double off the wall in center field, scoring Osmundson and Jarecki. Brooke Dumont executed a sacrifice bunt that brought home Culver, and Jocelyn Carrillo belted a solo home run to left center field that capped the scoring.
 
South Dakota’s Abi Brown recorded a single through the left side in the top of the fifth inning, but Kniesche would retire the next batter to get out of the inning as she surrendered just two hits and struckout six to earn her 16th win of the season.
 
SDSU tacked on another run in the fifth after Rozelyn Carrillo belted a double to right center field and came around to score on a RBI-single from Brooke Dumont.
 
Kniesche retired the final six Coyotes to register her 15^th-complete game of the season.
 
Pitcher of Record
Win – Tori Kniesche (16-6): 7 IP, 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 6 strikeouts
Loss – McKenna Young (5-8): 5 IP, 6 hits, 7 runs, 4 earned runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts

Notable Notes
• Tori Kniesche earned her 16^th win of the season and pitched a complete game shutout, while striking out six Coyote batters
• The Jackrabbits are one win away from reaching the title game and will face the winner of the Omaha vs. Kansas City game tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT
• Kniesche’s nine shutouts top the league charts
• South Dakota’s Autumn Iversen and Abi Brown were the lone Coyotes to record a hit

Up Next
South Dakota State will play for a berth in the title against the winner of the Omaha-Kansas City matchup beginning tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT.

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