SDSU falls to Omaha, 8-5, in finale

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OMAHA, Neb. – South Dakota State had its seven-game winning streak snapped Saturday, falling 8-5 to Omaha in the weekend series finale. The Jackrabbits took the series, however, after winning two on Friday.

SDSU (21-10, 2-1) had eight hits in the game, led by Brittney Morse’s 2-for-4 effort. Morse had a home run and a double and drove in four.

Ali Herdliska had two hits as well, driving in one with a pair of runs scored and two walks.

Madison Hope (12-4) took the loss, throwing four innings with eight runs (four earned) allowed. She struck out three and allowed 10 hits before Kendra Conard entered and tossed the final two frames. Conard did not allow a run and had a strikeout and a walk.

Down 1-0 after the first, State struck back in the third with a three-run bomb from Morse after Andersen and Herdliska singled to reach safely.

Omaha responded, however, in the bottom of the inning with five runs before tacking on another two in the fourth to take an 8-3 lead.

The Jackrabbits started a climb back with two runs in the fifth and added one more in the sixth but came no closer. Herdliska started the fifth with a walk before Morse doubled her home, and later in the inning Lyndsey Crist sent a single down the left field line to score Danielle Steffo, who pinch-ran for Morse.

In the sixth, Kerigan Torres opened the inning by reaching on an error and moved to second on a ground out. After Andersen walked to put two on, Herdliska’s single found grass in center field as Torres came home. State had runners move to second and third with two outs in the inning, but Omaha came up with a ground ball and a strikeout to end the threat.

Up Next

Summit League play continues for the Jackrabbits next weekend, April 7-8, against South Dakota in Brookings.

First pitch on Saturday is Noon.

Photo from www.gojacks.com.