Fresh off its season-opening trip to California, the Coyote softball team (1-4) is ready for its second tournament of the season. This week, it is back to Tempe, Ariz., and Arizona State University where Coyote coach Robert Wagner spent eight seasons and won NCAA national titles in 2008 and 2011. Wagner and USD are set to take on No. 17 Missouri (4-1), Wichita State (4-0), Illinois State (2-3) and Arizona State (7-0), teams that combined for a 17-4 record on opening weekend.
 
"We are excited to get back out there and get on some dirt," said Wagner. "Hopefully we will have some sunshine, though there is some rain in the forecast. Certainly, these are quality teams to compete against."
 
Missouri, Wichita State and Arizona State were NCAA Tournament teams a year ago. Missouri advanced to one of eight super regionals. Illinois State was 20-33 with an RPI of 113.
 
South Dakota's win last week came in a 1-0 shutout of Long Beach State, also a 2016 NCAA Tournament participant. Freshman pitcher Ally Wiegand allowed three singles and struck out three over the seven innings to pick up her first collegiate victory. Wiegand pitched all but eight of the Coyotes' 29 innings last weekend.
 
"I thought that our pitching, for the most part, gave us chances to win last week," said Wagner. "It is still something we need to work on, but it was something we were pleased with."
 
On the other hand, South Dakota's offense produced just three runs in five games and hit .171. Of the team's 18 hits, 16 were singles and two were doubles. The Coyote defense also logged six errors.
 
"We were better at swinging at decent pitches, but we need to focus a little more," said Wagner. "We have been doing a better job in practice, but it is easy to revert back a little bit during games. Defensively, it is tough to simulate dirt in the Dome, but we will get a lot of ground balls this weekend to help in that aspect."
 
Shortstop Shelby Keil hit .308 (4-for-13) last weekend with two walks and a run scored. Kayla Fields and Jessica Rogers were 2-for-9. Fields drew three walks for an on-base percentage of .417. She was also flawless in the field in taking over at first base.
 
This week's opponents:
Missouri (42-16 in 2016)
The Tigers split with 14^th-ranked James Madison during an opening weekend trip to Charleston Southern. They also beat the host Buccaneers twice and also scored a 1-0 win against USC Upstate.
 
Missouri is replacing its top pitcher and its top four hitters from last year's team. The Tigers have started four pitchers in five games, though sophomore Madi Norman pitched in all five games last week totaling 16 innings. Norman was injured all of last season after starting eight games as a freshman. Senior catcher Kirsten Mack was 6-for-14 last week with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs.
 
Wichita State (36-21 in 2016)
The Shockers beat up on Wright State, UC-Santa Barbara (twice) and Houston last weekend in Texas, outscoring their foes 28-8 collectively. Senior pitcher Katie Malone started three of the four games. She allowed one earned run and struck out 12 in 18 2/3 innings of work. Malone was 15-8 with a 4.18 ERA last season.
 
Wichita State is replacing three of its top four hitters from a year ago, though senior first baseman Macklin Hitz (.350, 10 HRs, 44 RBIs) is back as is junior outfielder Paige Luellen (.318, 11 HRs, 49 RBIs). Junior third baseman Mackenzie Wright was 6-for-11 last week (.545) with a double and four RBIs.
 
Illinois State (20-33 in 2016)
The Redbirds' three losses last week in Tampa, Fla., were to No. 25 USF (5-4), No. 6 Michigan (4-2) and No. 4 Florida (9-0). Illinois State rebounded to beat Delaware (19-13) and St. John's (2-1).
 
Junior pitcher Sarah Finck was 7-15 a year ago in 33 games with a 3.24 ERA. Finck pitched two complete games last week and struck out nine in 16 1/3 innings of work. Junior shortstop Riley Strandgard hit a team-best .368 last season with six homers and 28 RBIs. Senior catcher Jordan de los Reyes hit .333 last year with team-highs of seven home runs and 32 RBIs.
 
Arizona State (32-26 in 2016)
Wins against Indiana, Purdue and Texas-Arlington highlighted the Sun Devils' opening weekend at home in Tempe. Arizona State outscored its seven foes 37-7. The Sun Devils' pitching staff, led by returners Dale Ryndak and Breanna Macha, combined for 42 strikeouts against three walks and a .206 batting average against.
 
Arizona State returns three of its top four hitters including sophomore Ulufa Leilua, who led the team with a .368 average last season with six home runs and 21 RBIs. Senior shortstop Chelsea Gonzales was 9-for-18 last week (.500) with five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs. Junior third baseman Marisa Stankiewicz was 7-for-18 (.389) with two home runs and eight runs scored.