MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Sixth-seeded South Dakota State exploded for 10 runs in the opening inning and rolled to a 14-2 run-rule victory over No. 3 seed North Dakota State on Wednesday in the second game of opening day in the 2026 Summit League Softball Championship.
The Jackrabbits wasted no time taking control, sending 14 batters to the plate in a massive first inning. Emma Vike started the rally with a single before Akayla Barnard launched a three-run homer to open the scoring. South Dakota State continued to pile on from there, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting.
SDSU's Alli Boyle added an RBI single later in the inning, while Quinn Marnocha followed with a run-scoring hit and Vike ripped a two-run double to right field. Abby Gentry capped the explosive frame with a two-run home run as the Jackrabbits surged ahead 10-0 after the opening inning.
North Dakota State answered with a run in the second when Taylinn Warren lined an RBI single to right-center, scoring Lileigh Nieto to trim the deficit to 10-1.
The Bison threatened again in the fourth after Mya Boos doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch, but South Dakota State escaped the inning with a double play to keep the run-rule margin intact.
The Jackrabbits added four more runs in the fifth to put the game away. Amanda Vacanti blasted a three-run homer to center and Ella Berlage followed later in the inning with a solo shot to extend the lead to 14-1.
North Dakota State plated one final run in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly from Jessica Delatorre, but South Dakota State closed out the 14-2 victory.
Pitcher of Record
Win – Madi Mangulis (SDSU): 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Loss – Jocelyn McClary (NDSU): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Notables
- South Dakota State scored 10 runs in the first inning, sending 14 batters to the plate.
- Barnard finished with three RBIs, highlighted by a three-run homer in the opening frame.
- Vacanti added a three-run home run in the fifth inning, while Abby Gentry and Ella Berlage also homered.
- Vike recorded two hits and drove in two runs at the top of the Jackrabbit lineup.
- South Dakota State snapped an 11-game conference losing streak with the postseason victory.
Up Next
No. 6 South Dakota State advances to face second-seeded St. Thomas at 2 p.m. CT tomorrow in the next round of the 2026 Summit League Softball Championships, while North Dakota State is eliminated.
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