Official Athletic Web Site of the University of South Dakota Coyotes - Softball

Coyotes defeat Mavericks 13-0 in first round, fall to NDSU 5-1 in second round.

May 4-5, 2001

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The University of South Dakota women's softball team found their rhythm toward the end of the season but it was a little late. The Coyotes, who won three of their last four games, defeated Minnesota State Mankato, 13-0 before losing 5-1 to North Dakota State University in play at the North Central Conference Postseason Tournament on Saturday at Sioux City, Iowa. Due to wet conditions the North Central Conference softball tournament was forced to go to a single elimination tournament with play concluding on Sunday. Rain-washed out the first day of the tournament. South Dakota finished the season with a 32-36 record, going 1-1 in the NCC Postseason Tournament. St. Cloud won the tournament.

USD 13, MSU, Mankato 0

South Dakota scored 13 runs in the first runs innings and rolled to a 13-0 win over Minnesota State Mankato in the first round of the NCC Postseason Tournament on Saturday. The Coyotes scored four runs in the first inning, adding three in the second inning, one in the third inning and five more in the fourth inning as they had 12 hits to back the pitching of Tiffany Hill and Sara Medved. Hill, who improved her record to 13-17, allowed just four hits in four innings. She had a walk and a strikeout. Medved allowed just one hit in one inning of work. Sophomore outfielder Julie MacRunnels had three hits and scored three runs to lead the Coyote hitting attack. Jessica Bills had two hits and four RBI, Keri Bolte added a three-run double, while Kara Martinson had two hits and a RBI and Janice Alswager had a pair of hits.

The Coyotes opened up a 4-0 lead in the first inning on four hits and one MSU error. MacRunnels and Tiffany Davis scored when Bills had a two-run single. When Martinson singled, Bills and Bolte scored with the benefit of a mishandled ball by the Mavericks' rightfielder.

In the second inning, the Coyotes scored three runs after two outs were recorded by MSU. South Dakota's Leanna Chapman reached on an error by MSU and advanced to second on a single by MacRunnels. After Davis walked, Bolte had a three-run double to left field, which gave the Coyotes a 7-0 lead. The Coyotes added another run in the third inning as they took a commanding, 8-0 lead. With two outs, Amie Mertens singled and moved to third on a single by Alswager. After Alswager stole second base, Chapman reached on a fielder's choice, which allowed Mertens to score.

Again in the fifth inning, the Coyotes produced offensively, scoring five runs on four hits. MacRunnels opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a base hit by Davis. After Bolte reached on a fielder's choice, Bills had a two run single. Martin singled which brought home Bolte. Then the Coyotes worked a double steal with Martinson stealing second and pinch runner Jen Hedegaard (for Bills) stealing home. Martinson scored on Mollie Witherbee's RBI groundout as the Coyotes led 13-0.

North Dakota State 5, USD 1

North Dakota State scored two runs in the third inning and added three more in the sixth inning as the Bison ended the Coyotes' season with a 5-1 decision on Saturday evening.

South Dakota took an early lead against the regular season NCC champions by scoring in the top of the second. NCC Co-MVP Tiffany Davis opened the second inning with a double to right center. After the Coyotes' Keri Bolte walked, senior leftfielder Jessica Bills singled to center field which scored Davis. However, the Coyotes could not take advantage of the situation as Cara Ellwanger and Mollie Witherbee struck out and Aimie Mertens grounded out to end the South Dakota threat.

NDSU, who improved to 52-3 on the season, took the lead with a two-run third inning. Lindsay Graham, who pitched a complete game four -hitter for the Bison, doubled to right center and scored when South Dakota made a throwing error on a ground ball by Lindsay Suppa. Jess Christensen walked and scored on a double by Shelly Rhein. In the fifth inning, NDSU added three more runs, again with Graham leading the way. Graham opened the inning with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Jenny Bakke singled to score Graham. Consecutive singles by Christensen and Rhein, plus two wild pitches, brought home Bakke. After the Coyotes brought in Janice Alswager to pitch, Meghan Potter walked to force home Christensen and the Bison led 5-1.

South Dakota starter Tiffany Hill, who fell to 13-18 on the season, allowed eight hits and five runs - four runs earned - in 4 1/3 innings. Janice Alswager finished for South Dakota, going 1 2/3 innings without allowing a hit or run. She had one strike out and a walk.