JACKS PICK UP WIN ON FIRST DAY AT WHATABURGER INVITATIONAL

Friday, February 13

Stephenville, Texas

10 a.m.

South Dakota State University

7-2, 0

Stephen F. Austin

4-3, 0

South Dakota State

Stephen F. Austin

Delaney Madson

2/13/2026 9:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Pedersen

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – South Dakota State completed a big rally to earn one victory, while the Jackrabbits couldn't keep another foe quiet at the plate, as SDSU softball completed its first day of games at the Whataburger Invitational. The Jacks began the action with a 9-7 victory over Stephen F. Austin, then dropped a 12-7 result to host Tarleton State at the Texans' Softball Complex on Friday.

Game One
South Dakota came back from three runs down, and scored nine runs in a two-inning stretch, to defeat SFA 9-7.

The Lumberjacks got out to a 3-0 lead in the first three innings and took that advantage into the top of the fifth. The frame saw SDSU get two runners on base and with two outs Akayla Barnard smacked a three-run home run to tie the game. Amanda Vacanti followed by hitting a single and her pinch runner, Keira Carrillo, would score on an RBI double by Emma Christensen to give the Jacks a 4-3 edge.

The lead quickly disappeared as SFA scored another two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

That brought the Jackrabbits back to the plate in the sixth. SDSU loaded the bases and tied the score on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Emma Vike. Barnard then came up and hit a two-run double. The Lumberjacks made a pitching change, but Vacanti still crushed a two-run home run to put SDSU on top 9-5.

SDSU pitcher Madi Mangulis came on in relief for the sixth inning. She threw a scoreless frame before facing trouble in the seventh. The Lumberjacks had the bases loaded with no outs. SFA scored one run on a walk, then another on a sacrifice fly. The Jackrabbits got a second out by catching a runner in between bases on the sacrifice fly. Mangulis then forced a ground out to escape the jam and close out the victory.

South Dakota State had 10 hits as a team with two apiece by Barnard, Vacanti and Christensen. Barnard had a season-best five RBIs for the Jackrabbits. Delaney Madson and Grace Proctor scored their first collegiate runs. Hailey Herman was credited with the win, improved to 2-0, while pitching two innings in relief.

Game Two
South Dakota State outhit Tarleton State 14-13, but the Texans took advantage of a couple of Jackrabbit miscues in their 12-7 win.

It was a 3-2 ballgame when Tarleton State extended its lead with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. The inning saw the Texans produce four hits and draw three walks.

SDSU had it within an 8-5 margin after a three-run top of the sixth. Abby Gentry and Vike both hit solo home runs, while Christensen added an RBI single to the Jackrabbits' tally. However, Tarleton State scored another four runs in the bottom of the frame. The Texans had four hits, two walks and an error aid in putting the game out of reach.

Seven Jackrabbits recorded an RBI each in the defeat to Tarleton State. Gentry and Ella Berlage had a team-high three hits apiece, while Vike and Christensen each had two. Barnard and Gentry both scored two runs.

Barnard took the loss in the circle after pitching the opening 3 2/3 innings. Grace Proctor made her collegiate pitching debut and completed the sixth inning for SDSU.

UP NEXT
South Dakota State continues play at the Tarleton State tournament. The Jackrabbits play a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. versus Stephen F. Austin followed by Colgate.

-GoJacks.com-

A softball team in white uniforms stands in a huddle on the side of a softball field prior to a game

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Thursday, February 12

A women's softball player, Amanda Vacanti, in a white uniform winds up to a throw a pitch towards home plate

SDSU EARNS DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OVER ABILENE CHRISTIAN

Wednesday, February 11

A woman in a grey uniform swings a softball bat and hits a softball into the air

BAYLOR BEARS DEFEAT JACKRABBITS

Tuesday, February 10

A group of women in white softball uniforms put their hands up in a huddle on the side of a softball field

SDSU SOFTBALL READY FOR MIDWEEK GAMES

Monday, February 09

Next Event

Stephen F. Austin

Feb 14 (Sat)

2 p.m.

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Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Herman, Hailey (0-0)

L: Jordyn Ages (0-0)

S: Mangulis, Madi (0)

South Dakota State

Batting:

2B: Vike, Emma 1 ; Barnard, Akayla 1 ; Christensen, Emma 1 ; Boyle, Alli 1

HR: Barnard, Akayla 1 ; Vacanti, Amanda 1

RBI: Vike, Emma 1 ; Barnard, Akayla 5 ; Vacanti, Amanda 2 ; Christensen, Emma 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Vike, Emma 1 ; Barnard, Akayla 2 ; Vacanti, Amanda 1 ; Carrillo, Keira 1 ; Madson, Delaney 1 ; Proctor, Grace 1 ; Gentry, Abby 1 ; Riebel, Bria 1