South Dakota State University’s softball team secured an 11-1 run-rule win over Colgate on Sunday at the Tarleton Softball Complex in Stephenville, Texas. The victory, which ended after six innings, concluded the Jackrabbits’ participation in the Whataburger Invitational.
Colgate took an early lead in the first inning with a walk and a hit by pitch that put two runners on base. A fielder’s choice brought home the Raiders’ only run of the game.
South Dakota State responded quickly, scoring three runs in both the first and second innings. Sacrifice flies from Abby Gentry and Alivya Bollen, along with an RBI double by Ella Berlage, gave SDSU a 3-1 lead. In the second inning, Bria Riebel singled to start things off and was driven in by Akayla Barnard’s two-run home run. Alli Boyle drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 6-1.
Despite leaving 10 runners on base throughout the game, SDSU maintained control. Starting pitcher Madi Mangulis delivered a strong performance, retiring Colgate in order from the second through fourth innings.
In the fifth inning, Berlage added a two-run single to push SDSU’s advantage to 8-1 before a double play ended their threat with bases loaded. Mangulis continued her solid outing into the sixth inning, surrendering her first hit after pitching 5 2/3 innings without allowing one. She finished off the frame with a strikeout after giving up two singles.
The Jackrabbits started the bottom of the sixth with two walks. After recording one out on a fielder’s choice, Emma Vike hit a three-run home run to end the game under run-rule conditions at 11-1.
With this win, South Dakota State improved its season record to 9-3 while Colgate dropped to 3-7. The team’s current start is its best since opening 10-2 during the 2021 season.
SDSU collected ten hits as a team; both Vike and Berlage had three hits and three RBIs each. Vike also scored three runs while Barnard contributed two hits and scored three times; Riebel crossed home plate twice.
Mangulis advanced her record to 4-0 for the season and threw her second complete game of the year—six innings pitched with one run allowed on two hits and two walks while striking out four batters.
South Dakota State will next compete at Murray State’s Velvet Milkman Classic in Murray, Kentucky starting Friday.
