The North Dakota softball team will play four games over four days, starting with a three-game home series against South Dakota from April 18 to April 20, followed by a non-conference game at Minnesota on Tuesday. Coverage for the weekend series will be available on Midco Sports and Summit League Network, while the matchup against Minnesota can be watched on Big Ten Network Plus.
These matchups are significant as both North Dakota and South Dakota are competing for positions in the Summit League Tournament. The Coyotes currently hold sixth place with a conference record of 2-7, while North Dakota is seventh at 1-5. The two teams have met 113 times previously, with South Dakota leading the all-time series 75-38. In their last meeting during the Summit League Tournament semifinals in May of last year, South Dakota won in nine innings.
North Dakota enters this stretch after a decisive win over Crown College earlier this week. Makenna Alexander achieved a career-high three hits and five RBIs, including her first career grand slam. Olivia Dick hit her first career home run during that game, and Tyler Price earned her first career hit going two-for-two with a walk from the leadoff spot.
South Dakota arrives on a five-game losing streak and was most recently defeated by Iowa State. Offensively, Brooke Carey leads the Coyotes with a .374 batting average and two home runs. Madison Evans has pitched eleven complete games for South Dakota this season.
Minnesota holds an overall record of 14-27 this season and has lost its last three games after being swept by Washington. Maggie Werner leads Minnesota’s offense with a .340 batting average and five home runs, while Sydney Schwartz is their primary pitcher with ten wins so far.
The Hawks have demonstrated strong performances when scoring early or out-hitting opponents; they are undefeated when recording more hits than their adversaries or scoring first this season at home.
