VERMILLION, S.D.—The South Dakota Showdown Series sponsored by South Dakota Corn and MidcoSN again takes center stage this weekend when the Coyote softball team takes on South Dakota State in a pair of doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday in Brookings. Both doubleheaders start at noon.
 
The Showdown Series is a year-long competition between the two intrastate state rivals. The Coyotes won last year's competition and three of the last four, but the Jackrabbits boast a 6.5-5.5 lead in this year's series with five athletic events to go. The winner of this weekend's series will earn one point towards their universities respective side. A 2-2 split in the four-game series will split the point.
 
South Dakota enjoyed a 13-game win streak in this series that stretched from 2012-16, but the field has leveled in recent years and this year, the Jacks enter unblemished in conference play with a 14-0 mark. That's six games better than second place and defending champion North Dakota State. South Dakota is even at the midpoint with a 6-6 conference record.
 
South Dakota's Courtney Wilson and Lauren Eamiguel enter the series riding six-game hitting streaks. Freshman Gabby Moser has hit safely in five straight. Moser was 5-for-11 with three doubles, a pair of homers and six RBIs in a 2-2 split at home against Kansas City last weekend.
 
South Dakota State enters with a 29-4 overall record and by far the best numbers in the Summit. The Jacks are batting .323 as a team with 46 home runs and are averaging nearly seven runs per game. The pitching staff boasts a 2.16 ERA that includes seven shutouts.
 
Individually, SDSU has four of the top seven hitters in the Summit in terms of batting average. At the top is freshman Emma Osmundson, who is batting .453 with five triples, two home runs and 29 runs scored. Sophomore Cylie Halvorson is hitting .364 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs. For more youth, turn to freshman pitcher Tori Kniesche (1.86) and sophomore Grace Glanzer (2.16), who rank 1-2 in the league for ERA.
 
The Coyotes came alive with five home runs last weekend in the series with the Roos. In addition to Moser, Eamiguel left the yard twice and Lauren Wobken nailed her first of the season. Both Eamiguel (.342) and Moser (.333) are batting over .300 in conference play while Wilson stands at the top of the list with a .475 average in 12 Summit contests.
 
How to follow: All four games will be streamed live on GoJacks.com for a fee. Live stats are also available for all four games.

Fowler Tracker:
South Dakota fifth-year senior outfielder Camille Fowler enters this weekend's series with 237 career hits and 140 career runs scored. Here is where she ranks on the Coyotes' all-time lists:
 
Hits:
2. 242 – Julie MacRunnels (2000-03)
3. 240 – Tiffany Davis (1998-2001)
4. 238 – Katie Dinning (2012-15)
5. 237 – Camille Fowler (2017-pres.)
 
Runs:
3. 145 – Katie Dinning (2012-15)
4. 142 – Julie MacRunnels (2000-03)
5. 140 – Camille Fowler (2017-pres.)