Toby Uecker

South Dakota State University got off to a slow start Saturday in the North Central Conference North-South Softball Tournament and was denied the chance at a comeback by inclement weather that canceled the tournament’s second day.

With just one run in three games, the Jackrabbits tallied losses against the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Augustana College and the University of Northern Colorado.

SDSU, now 19-23 was scheduled to play Morningside College and the University of South Dakota Sunday in Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Jackrabbit infielder Mandi Geis scored the team’s sole run to start the first inning against UNO, but the Mavericks came back one better, with a two-run homer by Kelly Moats in the bottom of the same inning.

From there, UNO maintained and expanded its lead. The Mavericks scored four more times, including another homer from Kelleigh Warreb, and ended the game with a 6-1 win.

The win was number 35 on the season for the Mavericks, who had previously lost only five games. In their match-up the week before, SDSU defeated UNO 4-3.

In both of their previous games against Augustana, the Jackrabbits had not fared as well. Their 4-0 loss to the Vikings was the third time this season SDSU had been on the losing end of a game against its rivals from just down the interstate.

The opening move for the Vikings came with a second-inning home run by Tessa Foth that brought home three Augustana players. With a final run tacked on in the top of the fourth, the Vikings took their record to 41-11 on the season.

Augustana pitcher Tammy Nielsen allowed the Jackrabbits only two hits on her way to the Viking win.

Steph Harms took the loss for the Jackrabbits, her fifth on the season.

In the day’s final game, the SDSU pitching team of Melissa Alleven and Holly Altermatt gave up just two hits to the Bears of UNC.

UNC was still able to garner two runs in the bottom of the second while holding the Jackrabbits scoreless throughout.

With the win, the Bears advance to 22-14 on the season.

The Jacks will appear at home for the last time Wednesday as they take on NCC rivals from St. Cloud State University in a double-header at Southbrook Park. The first game begins at 3:30 p.m.