PHOENIX, Ariz.—South Dakota's offense exploded for five runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to snag a 10-1, five-inning win against Grand Canyon on the opening day of the Grand Canyon Classic.
 
The Coyotes (5-13) have won three in a row including back-to-back games on Friday. USD topped UNLV 1-0 earlier in the day. South Dakota will take on Valparaiso (9 a.m. MST) and Princeton (11:30 a.m. MST) Saturday.
 
Coyote catcher Jessica Rogers was 3-for-3 and came around to score in each of the final two innings. Dylan Underwood had a two-run single in the fourth that extended USD's lead to 5-1, and came back with a two-run double in the fifth that made it 7-1. She finished 2-for-2 with a walk and four RBIs. Alyssa Fernandez also had a two-run double in the fifth that made it 9-1.
 
The runs were more than enough for USD pitcher Sarah Lisko, who went the distance to earn her first collegiate victory. She allowed six hits, had one strikeout and walked no one. Grand Canyon (9-9) took a 1-0 lead with hits from three of its first five hitters, but mustered just three more hits the rest of the way.
 
South Dakota pieced together arguably its best day of the young season. Nine different players combined for 17 hits while pitchers Lisko and Dustie Durham held hitters to a .234 average. Defensively, the team combined for one error in the two games.
 
In addition to Rogers' three hits Friday, Lauren Eamiguel went 3-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored. Taylor Steinfeldt put the Coyotes ahead in the fourth inning with a two-run double to center, and was 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored Friday.