Jackrabbits fall in finale to Mavericks

OMAHA, Neb. (SDSU) — South Dakota State completed its final game before postseason play on Saturday dropping a 7-4 decision to Omaha at Connie Claussen Field.

The Jackrabbits and Mavericks had already sealed the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the upcoming Summit League Softball Championship, respectively, heading into the meeting. The Mavs took advantage early by scoring three runs off SDSU starter Shannon Lasey in the first.

Brooke Dumont led off the second for the Jacks with a single. Jocelyn Carrillo followed by hitting a two-run home run over the center-field fence to cut the score to 3-2.

The Mavericks pushed ahead further in the bottom of the frame. Alexa Williams came in for relief for the Jackrabbits, but Omaha produced four runs on three hits and three walks to give the home side a 7-2 edge through two innings.

Carrillo and Alli Boyle each hit RBI singles for the Jacks in the top of the third to make it a 7-4 margin. That would be it for scoring for both teams.

SDSU freshman Hailey Herman made her first appearance in the circle since March and had a strong outing. She kept the Jackrabbits in striking distance by throwing 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Herman allowed just one hit and walked two, while she struck out three batters.

The Jacks had their best opportunity to rally in the sixth. Tori Tollefson drew a walk, Mia Jarecki singled and Lindsey Culver walked to load the bases with two outs. Omaha was able to get a pop up to escape the jam.

South Dakota State outhit Omaha in the game as the Jacks recorded nine hits to the Mavericks’ six. Boyle and Jarecki had two hits apiece, while Brooke Dumont had a 3-for-3 day at the plate with two runs scored. Jocelyn Carrillo had three RBIs. Lasey fell to 10-9 on the season in the circle.

Notes

• South Dakota State is now 31-20 overall on the season while Omaha improved to 37-12. The Jackrabbits are the top seed in the upcoming Summit League Championship with their 14-2 conference record. The Mavs are the second seed with a 14-4 record. Both teams have opening-round byes into the double-elimination portion of the tournament.
• Jocelyn Carrillo’s home run was the 30th of her college career. She ranks fifth all-time in program history in the category.

Up Next
SDSU is set as the No. 1 seed at The Summit League Softball Championship. The Jackrabbits will await to see who they play as the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds are not in place. SDSU will begin the tournament against the winner of that game at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, at Jackrabbit Softball Stadium.

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