South Dakota’s softball team lost both games on the opening day of the GCU Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona. The Coyotes were defeated 4-2 by Northern Colorado and then fell 9-1 to Sacramento State in a game shortened to five innings.
In the first game against Northern Colorado, South Dakota gave up three runs in the first two innings. Madison Evans hit a solo home run in the third inning to put South Dakota on the scoreboard. Northern Colorado added another run in the fifth. Sara Iburg tripled and scored on a throwing error in the sixth, but South Dakota could not close the gap. Both teams recorded five hits each, but three errors by South Dakota contributed to their loss.
Anna Wilming earned the win for Northern Colorado, improving her record to 2-0. Madison Evans took the loss for South Dakota and is now 2-2 this season.
Key contributors for South Dakota included Sara Iburg, who went 1-for-3 with one hit; Madison Evans, who went 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run; and Katie Hofmann, who was 1-for-1 at bat.
In their second matchup of the day, Sacramento State used strong pitching and early offense to secure a 9-1 victory over South Dakota in five innings due to the run rule. The Hornets scored five runs in the first inning and continued to add runs throughout the game while limiting South Dakota’s offensive chances.
South Dakota’s only run came when Delaney White doubled to bring home Madison Evans in the third inning. Kennedie Bacon picked up her second win of the season for Sacramento State while Campbell German took her second loss for South Dakota.
Delaney White led offensively for South Dakota with a double and an RBI, going 1-for-2 at bat. Madison Evans also scored once and drew a walk.
South Dakota will continue competing at the GCU Invitational over the weekend.
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