VERMILLION, S.D. — Omaha Softball claimed the program's first outright Summit League regular-season championship with a 3-1 win over South Dakota on Thursday afternoon.
Omaha (33-9, 14-1 Summit) entered the day with a three-game lead on second-place St. Thomas in the standings.
The Mavericks, who have won the league tournament the past three years, shared the regular-season crown with St. Thomas last spring.
Omaha got home runs Thursday from Taylor Sedlacek and Bailey Sample, while Maddia Groff was outstanding in the circle again as the left-hander tossed a four-hitter and struck out a season-best 13. That total also marks the most strikeouts by a Summit League pitcher this season.
Omaha's offense produced late as the Mavericks missed some early opportunities. The Mavericks left the bases loaded in the first inning and stranded two in the third.
Groff struck out seven through the first three innings, but South Dakota's Ella McGee led off the bottom of the fourth with her first home run of the season to put the Coyotes (15-32-1, 6-10) in front.
Omaha, though, had an immediate response.
Rylinn Groff led off the fifth with a walk, and Sedlacek followed with a home run to left-center. For Sedlacek, who also homered in Omaha's 2-0 win at Creighton on Tuesday, it was the 50th homer of her college career, as she hit 34 in three seasons at Wichita State before transferring to Omaha. Sedlacek is one of just 24 active Division I players to hit 50 or more career home runs.
The 16 home runs this season are the most Sedlacek has hit in a single season.
The third batter of the fifth inning, Sample, doubled but was left stranded at third base. Omaha stranded 10 runners on the day.
South Dakota's best threat in the late innings came in the sixth. With one out, Allie Cromer tripled, but Groff struck out the next two batters to keep the Mavericks in front.
Sample gave Omaha an insurance run as she led off the seventh with her sixth home run of the season, a drive to left-center. Groff then retired the Coyotes in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the regular-season title.
Rylinn Groff went 3 for 3 to pace Omaha's offense, while Sample was the only other Maverick with multiple hits.
Omaha and South Dakota continue their series at 3 p.m. CT Friday.
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