CLEARWATER, Fla. – South Dakota State softball opened its spring break trip with a 3-2 extra-inning win over Western Michigan Monday morning before falling to Niagara, 2-1, in the day's finale.

"We played a couple of hard-fought games," SDSU head coach Krista Wood said. "I thought our team competed and got after it today, but missed opportunities in a few key spots.

“We'll look for another strong effort tomorrow."

• SDSU 3, Western Michigan 2

The Jacks (5-12) had eight hits in the opener and shook off a pair of errors to claim the victory. Brittney Morse and Erin Mullen led the way with two hits apiece. Morse had SDSU's lone double of the day while Mullen, Ali Herdliska and Baily Janssen drove in runs. Mallory McQuistan ripped her second triple of the season for SDSU's other extra-base effort.

Ashlyn Bender got the start and tossed six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. Bender struck out two before Abby Deane (1-5) tossed the final two innings in shutout fashion to earn the victory, ending the game with a strikeout.

Down 1-0 after one, State struck back with a pair of runs in the third. McQuistan's leadoff triple started the rally, and Janssen followed with a single down the left line to tie it, 1-1. From there, Christian McKone moved Janssen into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, and with one one (after a Lyndsey Crist walk) Herdliska drove Janssen home with a single to center.

The Broncos took advantage of a State error in the bottom of the third, scoring one to draw even before four scoreless frames followed.

SDSU threatened with runners in every inning down the stretch, but couldn't find the go-ahead run in regulation.

After getting out of a jam in the bottom of the seventh, the Jackrabbits broke the tie with a two-out RBI single from Mullen in the eighth. Herdliska was placed on second as part of the international tiebreaker, and after two quick outs, Mullen's single to right allowed Herdliska to race home for the eventual game-winner.

Western Michigan looked to extend the game with a runner on third and one out in the final half-inning, but a popout and strikeout sealed the Jackrabbit win.

• Niagara 2, SDSU 1

South Dakota State put together a pair of late inning-rally efforts but fell short in Monday's finale. The Jacks had three hits in the game as Ali Herdliska and Mallory McQuistan tallied doubles, while Lyndsey Crist went 1 for 1 with a single and two walks. Erin Mullen added a pair of walks as well.

Abby Deane (1-6) threw the opening five innings, allowing two hits (one earned) with six strikeouts. Ashlyn Bender finished the game and did not allow a baserunner.

Scoreless through three, Niagara broke through with a run in the fourth when a passed ball allowed Bailey Stayner to score from third. SDSU looked for an immediate answer when Crist walked and Herdliska doubled with one out, but a strikeout and popup ended the threat.

After Niagara added a second run in the fifth, SDSU cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning. Mullen walked to start the frame and had her eyes on the plate when McQuistan's hit bounced over the wall for ground-rule double.

State loaded the bases in the sixth with hopes of adding another run, but another infield popup ended the Jackrabbits' scoring opportunity.

Game Notes

South Dakota State is now 1-1 in extra inning games this season.

Abby Deane picked up her first collegiate win against Western Michigan.

Up Next

South Dakota State and St. Bonaventure met Tuesday morning for a doubleheader in Clearwater. Action began at 11 a.m.