OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha softball team opened 2022 Summit League action with defending champions South Dakota State this weekend. Saturday will feature a doubleheader between the Mavericks and Jackrabbits. The weekend wraps with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. The time of Sunday's game has been pushed back from 11 a.m. due to freezing temperatures and league protocols.

Quick Hits

• The Mavericks posted an 11-8 record in the non-conference portion of their schedule. They wrapped up non-league play with the home opener against Wichita State back on March 16.
• In the fourth inning, Jamie White hit a solo homer to take a 1-0 lead over the Shockers, but they responded with two of their own to take a 3-1 win.
• Omaha's winning percentage through non-conference play is the best start to a season since 2014. The Mavericks opened that year 17-9. They currently sit at .579. The only other season since 2014 that the team was .500 or above was in 2020 when the team was 12-12 before COVID shutdown play.
• The Maverick pitching staff has put together a cumulative ERA of 2.87 which is second in the league behind this weekend's opponent. 
• Kamryn Meyer leads the league with a 1.34 ERA and .128 opponent batting average. She is second with 100 strikeouts so far this season. 
• As a squad, Omaha hit .276 for fourth best at the plate in the Summit. 
• Jamie White leads the Mavericks and the league hitting .419 with a .791 slugging percentage and .615 on base percentage.
• White and Izzy Eltze are tied sixth in the league with four homers this season.

Scouting South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits look to defend their crown from last season as they enter league play on an 11-game winning streak and a record of 19-7. SDSU posted notable wins vs. Nebraska (16-4; 6 inn.) and Creighton (8-0; 5 inn. & 18-0; 5 inn.). Last week, the Jackrabbits outscored CSUN and Loyola Marymount, 26-6, sweeping a pair of doubleheaders with each team. SDSU was tabbed the Summit League preseason favorite prior to the start of the season.

Jackrabbits to Watch

• Rozelyn Carrillo leads SDSU at the plate hitting .357 over 26 games started and 84 at-bats. The sophomore infielder has a team-leading 30 hits including seven doubles and 4 homers. Carrilo has compiled 17 RBI and 20 runs so far this season.
• In the circle, last season's Pitcher of the Year continues to lead the Jackrabbits. Tori Kniesche leads the team with a 2.61 ERA over 13 starts. She's tossed seven complete games and enters the weekend with a 9-3 record. Kniesche has a league leading 107 strikeouts.

All-Time vs. SDSU
Omaha leads the all-time series 72-29-1. The Jackrabbits went 6-0 against the Mavericks last season, including taking the two-game win in the Summit League championship.