MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – No. 4 seed South Dakota punched its ticket back to the Summit League Softball Championship title game Friday afternoon, shutting out No. 6 seed South Dakota State 2-0 behind a dominant complete-game effort from Madison Evans at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
The Coyotes scored both of their runs in the second inning and made the lead stand the rest of the way, advancing to the championship round for the second consecutive season. South Dakota limited the Jackrabbits to just two hits while Evans struck out nine in the circle.
South Dakota broke through in the top of the second after Brooke Carey opened the inning with a single and Charley Nelson entered as a pinch runner. Delaney White followed with a base hit before Kiya Johnson moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. USD's Sara Iburg then lined an RBI single to right field to bring home the game’s first run before Abi Brown followed with a single up the middle to plate White and extend the advantage to 2-0.
That would be more than enough support for Evans, who retired the first six Jackrabbit batters and allowed just two hits across seven innings. South Dakota State threatened in the sixth after Quinn Marnocha walked and Emma Vike drew a free pass, but Evans responded by inducing a fly out from Abby Gentry before striking out Akayla Barnard looking to end the inning and hold on to the no-hitter through six.
The Jackrabbits mounted one final chance in the seventh when Amanda Vacanti and Bria Riebel opened the frame with consecutive singles to break the no-hitter. South Dakota answered immediately, however, as Ella Berlage grounded into a game-ending double play to seal the Coyotes’ victory.
Pitcher of Record
Win – Madison Evans (South Dakota): 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Loss – Madi Mangulis (South Dakota State): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Notables
- Evans tossed a complete-game shutout while striking out nine.
- South Dakota State was held to just two hits in the contest.
- Iburg and Brown each drove in a run during the decisive second inning.
- White finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.
- Vacanti and Riebel accounted for both Jackrabbit hits in the seventh inning.
- South Dakota advanced to the Summit League title game for the second straight season.
Up Next
South Dakota advances to Saturday’s Summit League Softball Championship final for the second consecutive year and will face the winner of No.1 Omaha/No. 6 South Dakota State at 1 p.m. CT. If the Coyotes drop the first game tomorrow, a second game will be played with the championship on the line.
#SummitSB
