SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The 2024 Summit League Softball All-League Awards were announced by the conference office on Tuesday, May 7, ahead of The Summit League Softball Championship. Eight South Dakota State softball players were recognized on The Summit League Softball Teams, which were selected by the conference’s head coaches, highlighted by infielder Mia Jarecki being named as The Summit League Player of the Year.
Jarecki has been SDSU’s every-day second baseman over the past two seasons. Jarecki put up impressive numbers this season en route to the Jackrabbits claiming their fourth straight Summit League regular season title with their 14-2 record in conference play.
The Papillion, Neb., native finished the league schedule with the top mark among all Summit League individuals in batting average (.440), runs scored (19) and stolen bases (8). Jarecki was second in the conference in on-base percentage (.509), OPS (1.149) and hits (22), third in slugging percentage (.640) and sixth in home runs (2) across 16 games. Jarecki turned four double plays from her second base position and had a .964 fielding percentage. She played a crucial role in the Jackrabbits’ regular season title clinching win as her two-run triple in the sixth inning versus Omaha put SDSU ahead for good at 6-4 this past Friday.
Jarecki is the fourth ever Jackrabbit to earn Summit League Player of the Year accolades. Current teammate Rozelyn Carrillo earned the award in 2022. Jarecki was also named a First Team All-Summit League recipient for the second consecutive season.
The Jackrabbits had a league-high five players selected First Team All-Summit League. Joining Jarecki on the First Team were Lindsey Culver (outfield), Brooke Dumont (catcher), Tori Kniesche (pitcher) and Emma Osmundson (outfield).
Culver claimed her first all-summit honors since 2021 when she was also a First Team All-Summit League choice. The senior left fielder ended the league slate second among conference hitters in runs scored (13), third in doubles (5), fourth in batting average (.375) and OPS (1.040), fifth in slugging percentage (.604) and on-base percentage (.436), sixth in hits (18) and eighth in RBIs (10). Culver didn’t commit an error during conference play in the field. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native earned a Peak Performer of the Week accolade during the season following a 6-for-11 series at North Dakota State from April 13-14.
Dumont earned her first All-Summit League honors of her college career. The junior started all 16 games at catcher for the Jackrabbits in conference action. She finished first among league individuals in slugging percentage (.727) and OPS (1.218). Dumont was also second in doubles (6) and home runs (3), third in batting average (.386) and on-base percentage, along with finishing sixth in walks (9). She was solid behind the plate as she registered a 1.000 fielding percentage behind the second most total chances (129). Dumont had the third most putouts in the league (122). The Papillion, Neb., native threw out a league-best eight runners while giving up just three stolen bases against her.
Kniesche wrapped up her fourth consecutive season as a First Team All-Summit League performer. The Wayne, Neb., native pitched in nine games and had an 8-1 record with a league-best 0.63 ERA. Kniesche had the top opposing batting average (.113) and strikeout total (89) among the conference’s pitchers, while she had the second most wins and fourth most innings pitched (56). Kniesche threw eight complete games and recorded two no-hitters against league foes. Kniesche was a Peak Pitcher of the Week five times during the season and has a total of 18 weekly awards from The Summit League during her college career.
Osmundson picked up her third All-Summit League honors and previously earned First Team laurels as a freshman in 2021. The Jackrabbits’ right fielder led the conference in RBIs (19). Osmundson was also second in home runs (3), third in doubles (5), fourth in slugging percentage (.620) and runs scored (12), fifth in OPS (1.024), eighth in batting average (.340), as well as ninth in both on-base percentage (.404) and hits (17). The Sioux Falls native made an assist from her position during the conference slate. Osmundson was the Peak Performer of the Week on two occasions this season, including most recently on April 29.
Three more Jackrabbits were recognized as Second Team All-Summit League performers. They include Jocelyn Carrillo (outfield), Rozelyn Carrillo (infield) and Shannon Lasey (pitcher).
Jocelyn Carrillo claimed All-Summit honors all four seasons of her college career. Carrillo finished the league schedule second among conference individuals in home runs (3), sixth in slugging percentage (.538) and walks (9), as well as seventh in OPS (.934). She hit .265 at the plate and had six RBIs. The Jackrabbit center fielder didn’t commit an error at her position over the course of 16 games.
Rozelyn Carrillo earned her third straight All-Summit League accolades behind her efforts this season. SDSU’s every-day shortstop hit .265 and was third on the team with 14 RBIs in conference play. She also scored 11 runs, fourth most on the team, and recorded a .958 fielding percentage. Carrillo finished the conference schedule fourth among league players in RBIs and eighth in runs scored.
Shannon Lasey received her first All-Summit League honors for her performance in the circle in 2024. In her second season in Yellow and Blue, Lasey went 4-1 against conference foes and accumulated a 2.16 ERA. Lasey was third among pitchers in opposing batting average (.209), fourth in ERA, wins and hits allowed (27), as well as 10th in strikeouts (24). She had two shutouts in league played and allowed two runs or less in three other starts. Lasey ended the season with four complete games.
The South Dakota State softball team returns to action as the No. 1 seed at the upcoming 2024 Summit League Softball Championship. The Jackrabbits make their debut in the tournament at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, at Jackrabbit Softball Stadium. They await the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 seed game between South Dakota and North Dakota.