South Dakota State softball drops first game of NCAA tournament to Michigan
South Dakota State fell a run short in the first game of their regional at the NCAA softball tournament on Friday in Orlando.
The Jackrabbits got a solo home run from Cylie Halvorson and six strong innings from Grace Glanzer, but it wasn’t enough in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines. Lexie Blair’s two-run single in the fifth inning gave Michigan a 2-0 lead that held up.
Halvorson's homer in the top of the sixth cut the lead in half.
The Jacks tried to rally in the seventh. Jocelyn Carrillo struck out, but reached on a passed ball, ending the day for Wolverines starting pitcher Alex Storako. After pinch-hitter Mia Jarecki walked against reliever Meghan Beaubien to put the tying run at second and the go-ahead run on first, Emma Osmundson struck out looking to end the game.
Storako allowed three hits and struck out three in 6.2 innings to earn the win. Blair and Kristina Burkhardt each had two hits for Michigan (37-16).
Glanzer allowed six hits and whiffed three for SDSU (40-12).
With the loss, SDSU will play Villanova Saturday in an elimination game.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota State softball drops first game of NCAA tournament to Michigan
