INDIANAPOLIS – South Dakota State softball dropped a doubleheader at IUPUI to open Summit League, falling 5-4 and 6-1 Friday.
SDSU (13-20) had 14 hits on the day and struck out nine IUPUI batters.
Baily Janssen, Julia Andersen, Ali Herdliska and Brittney Morse had multiple hits on the day.
Andersen had a home run and a double, while Janssen (two RBI) and Herdliska both doubled. Morse had two RBI, as well, for the Jackrabbits.
Abby Deane (7-11) took the loss in Game 1, throwing 6 1/3 innings with five runs allowed and three strikeouts.
SDSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning behind a two-RBI double from Janssen in a bases-loaded situation.
The Jackrabbits added another in the third behind Andersen's first home run of the season.
The Jackrabbit lead was cut to 3-2 after IUPUI scored single runs in the third and fourth innings; but SDSU went back up two in the fifth after Andersen doubled and raced home on Morse's RBI single.
The Jaguars had a solo home run in the sixth before walking off with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Game 2 saw Ashlyn Bender (6-7) earn the start, tossing two innings with four runs – two earned – allowed. Bender struck out three before Madison Hope finished out the game, allowing a pair of runs – one earned – with six strikeouts.
The Jackrabbits scored the first run in the top of the first when Emily Ensrud singled, took second on a sacrifice bunt and came across on Morse's second RBI single of the day.
IUPUI tied it with a run in the bottom of the first, added two more in the third and put up a three-spot in the third to pull away for the 6-1 win.
