OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha and South Dakota split the final day of regular season action. The teams combined for 23 hits in game one with the Mavericks prevailing in an 11-6 win. The Coyotes rebounded and took game two, 5-1.
With the win and loss, Omaha posts an 18-26 (12-11 SL) record to cap the regular season.
Game 1: Omaha 11, South Dakota 6
How It Happened
- The Mavericks struck first in the first inning with an RBI single from Taylor Johnson to plate Izzy Eltze for an early 1-0 edge.
- South Dakota exploded in the second for five runs on five hits to take lead. The inning was highlighted by RBI singles from Fowler and Eamiguel for the Coyotes.
- Omaha chipped away at the lead with two runs in the second. Diana Murtha reached in the lead-off spot following an error by the USD shortstop. She'd score on Sydney Ross' at bat later in the inning. Ross singled to left field and advanced to third on a fielding error by the left fielder. She went on to score on the same play following an error by the catcher at the plate. USD led 5-3 after two.
- The Mavericks regained the lead in the third with three runs. Eltze led off with a triple and scored on a sac fly from Jamie White. Allison Helton and Ross recorded back-to-back singles to center to plate another two runs for Omaha to take a 6-5 edge.
- Eltze scored again in the fourth inning for the Mavericks as she was plated by a single through the left side by Johnson.
- The Coyotes got within one in the fifth inning. Eamiguel scored on a Wobken double for USD final run of the game.
- The Mavericks tallied their final runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Helton, Sedlak, and Ross crossed home plate to win 11-6.
Inside the Box Score
- With the win in game one, Omaha clinched the second seed in the Summit League Tournament earning the Mavericks a first round bye.
- Omaha finished with a season-high 15 hits vs. South Dakota in game one.
- Eltze finished a perfect 4-for-4 for the second time this season to match her career-high. She also tallied three runs, two RBI, and two stolen bases.
- Johnson went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while teammates Tucker, Helton, and Ross all finished with two hits each.
- Sydney Nuismer made the start and pitched 1.2 innings.
- Kamryn Meyer came in for relief. She retired six batters and earned the win to improve to 9-8 on the year.
Game 2: South Dakota 5, Omaha 1
How It Happened
- Five of the six runs scored came in the first inning with USD striking first. Wilson singled to center field to plate the first run of the game allowing Fowler to score. Another single to center from DeWitte scored two more in the next at-bat. DeWitte went on to score the final USD run of the inning on a RBI single from Sainz to left.
- Omaha cut into the lead in the bottom of the first. Eltze tripled to right center to get on base for the Mavericks. She scored on a sac fly from White at the next at-bat. The Coyotes held on to a 4-1 edge.
- Omaha left one stranded in the second and third and continued to trail. USD added another in the fourth with Fowler scoring an unearned run.
- The Mavericks tallied four hits over the next three innings, but couldn't convert and drop the closer, 5-1.
Inside the Box Score
On Deck
Omaha will play in the Summit League Tournament next week making the trip up to Fargo, North Dakota. With the win in game one of Saturday's action, the Mavericks earned the second seed and have a first round bye.
Omaha will play on Thursday, May 13 at 2:30 p.m. The Mavericks face the winner of No. 3 North Dakota State vs. No. 6 North Dakota.
