GRAND FORKS, N.D. – South Dakota State completed a three-game sweep over North Dakota as the Jackrabbits defeated the Fighting Hawks, 2-1, at Albrecht Field on Saturday.
SDSU starting pitcher Tayler Baker was superb for a second consecutive day in the circle. Aside from a solo home run given up in the second inning, Baker didn’t allow any other UND runner to reach third base over the course of seven innings thrown.
The Jackrabbits trailed 1-0 through three innings before tying the score in the fourth. Emma Christensen began the frame with a walk and was plated on an RBI double by Madi Conklin.
South Dakota State went up 2-1 in the fifth. Singles by Brooke Dumont and Abby Gentry gave the Jacks an opportunity with runners in scoring position. Quinn Marnocha came on to pinch run and sat on third base with no outs. Alli Boyle narrowly scored her on a sacrifice fly as Marnocha just slid into home plate ahead of the throw.
Baker shut down any opportunity the home side tried to tie the score. She wrapped up her third straight complete-game performance by giving up one run on three hits. Baker struck out eight batters while walking one. She improved to 10-5 on the season in the circle.
SDSU totaled just four hits, but drew 11 walks off North Dakota starter Jackie Albrecht. The Jackrabbits left 11 runners on base.
NOTES
- South Dakota State improved to 28-24 overall and 13-5 in Summit League play. North Dakota dropped to 25-28 overall and 7-11 in conference action.
- The game served as the regular season finale for both teams.
- SDSU clinched the two-seed on Friday and will be part of the double-elimination portion of the upcoming Summit League Softball Championship.
- North Dakota is slotted as the four seed for the upcoming conference tournament. The Fighting Hawks will play NDSU in the opening single-elimination round of the championship.
UP NEXT
South Dakota State serves as host of the 2025 Summit League Softball Championship. The Jackrabbits begin play on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Jerald T. Moriarty Field. SDSU will play the winner of the No. 3/6 seed game between South Dakota and Kansas City.