OMAHA, Neb. –– Senior
Marra Cramer hit a three-run home run in the first inning, and Omaha Softball led the rest of the way in a 7-4 victory over South Dakota State on Saturday at
Connie Claussen Field.
Omaha went on to score in four of the first five innings as the Mavericks improved to 28-8 and 10-1 in the Summit League. With the win, Omaha clinched a spot in the Summit tournament, which will begin May 6 in Minneapolis.
Omaha scored six of its seven runs Saturday with two outs. That started in the opening inning.
"Overall this season, the team is very composed, not just with two outs but overall in the box. They're comfortable with two strikes, two outs," head coach Mike Heard said.
With a runner at first and two outs, Katherine Johnson doubled off the right-center-field fence before Cramer launched a 256-foot drive to left for a three-run home run. It was Cramer's eighth homer this season.
The Mavericks then turned in the game's defensive gem in the top of the second.
With a runner at first and no outs, third baseman Bailey Sample jumped to snag a line drive and then threw across the diamond to double off the runner at first base.
"I say it all the time, that's what we stress," Heard said. "Offense is performing really well, but we still feel we need to win games with pitching and defense."
South Dakota State (23-26, 5-6) scored a run in the third when Alli Boyle led off with a home run to right, but Omaha answered with a run in the bottom of the third as Ava Rongisch scored on a wild pitch.
Another two-out rally extended Omaha's lead to 6-1 in the fourth. With two outs and no one on, Cramer and Alyson Edwards hit back-to-back doubles down the left-field line, then a second run scored when Sammy Schmidt grounded a single into center field.
Omaha added another run in the fifth on Johnson's RBI single to right. South Dakota State hit homers in the fifth and sixth innings to pull within 7-4.
Alexis Wiggins worked into the sixth inning to earn the win as she improved to 12-1. Maddia Groff entered in the sixth and got the final six outs for the save, including four strikeouts.
Cramer, Johnson and Edwards each had two hits as Omaha finished with nine hits on the night.
Omaha and South Dakota State will complete their series at 1 p.m. CT Sunday. Seven Omaha seniors will be honored prior to the game.
