OMAHA, Neb. – Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Lia Mancuso hit a walk-off two-run home run to give the Omaha softball team a 5-4 win over South Dakota State on Sunday afternoon at Westside Field at Westbrook.
The Mavericks improved to 20-21 overall and 7-1 in Summit League play. The Jackrabbits dropped to 14-24 on the year and 2-4 in league play.
SDSU got on the board with three runs in the top of the first inning. Christian McKone led off the game with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. A Devan Larsen single to left field scored McKone. After the first out of the inning, Ali Herdliska hit a two-run home run to center field. Maverick starter Laura Roecker was able to strikeout the next two batters to get out of the inning.
SDSU starter Bryana Clark retired the first six Maverick batters she faced before Kelly Pattison hit a leadoff single to start the third inning. Clark sat down the next two Omaha batters before Nicole Warren lined a double to centerfield scoring Pattison.
Herdliska led off the top of the fourth with a solo shot to center field to put the Jackrabbits in front by three, 4-1. After a Crist single, Abbie Clanton came on for Roecker and retired the side.
SDSU loaded the bases with two out in the top of the sixth inning, but Clanton settled down and induced a popup to get out of the inning without any runs being scored.
In the bottom of the frame, the Maverick offense was able to get on the board as Warren reached second base on a misplayed infield popup. Warren moved to third on a Sydney Hames single to left. South Dakota State brought in Ashlyn Bender to face Campbell Ditto with one out. Ditto welcomed Bender with an RBI single. Ditto and pinch runner Kylie Schwarting each moved up a base on a passed ball. Kourtney Pock walked to load the bases. Following the walk, the Jackrabbits brought Clark back into the game for Bender. Clark's first pitch went to the backstop allowing Schwarting to score. The SDSU pitcher settled down and retired the next two batters to keep the Jackrabbits in front, 4-3.
Facing the late deficit, the Mavericks refused to give up. Pattison led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, but was forced out at second when Tara Trede hit into a fielder's choice. Mancuso worked a full count against Clark before belting her first career homer to center and give Omaha a 5-4 victory.
Pattison led the Mavericks at the plate going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ditto and Warren each had an RBI, while Mancuso drove in two.
Clanton pitched the final 4.0 innings for Omaha and picked up her eighth win of the season. She walked two, while striking out three. Roecker started and went 3.0 innings allowing four runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
Omaha takes to the road for a midweek non-conference game on Thursday. The Mavericks head to Ames, Iowa for a single game against Iowa State at 3 p.m.
Facing the late deficit, the Mavericks refused to give up. Pattison led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, but was forced out at second when Tara Trede hit into a fielder's choice. Mancuso worked a full count against Clark before belting her first career homer to center and give Omaha a 5-4 victory.
Pattison led the Mavericks at the plate going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ditto and Warren each had an RBI, while Mancuso drove in two.
Clanton pitched the final 4.0 innings for Omaha and picked up her eighth win of the season. She walked two, while striking out three. Roecker started and went 3.0 innings allowing four runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
Omaha takes to the road for a midweek non-conference game on Thursday. The Mavericks head to Ames, Iowa for a single game against Iowa State at 3 p.m.
