South Dakota steps outside Summit League play for a Tuesday doubleheader against Drake starting at 4 p.m. at Buel Field in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
It will mark just the third and fourth games between the two programs at the Division I level. Since 1989, the teams have played twice in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with the last meeting in 2020.
 
The Bulldogs enter play with a 6-15 record. Like South Dakota, Drake has one conference series under its belt. The Bulldogs won one out of three games on the road at Evansville March 19-20. Last weekend's series at Illinois State was cancelled due to low temperatures.
 
Drake's record is a bit misleading. Losses during non-conference play included Nebraska, Purdue, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas, and nationally ranked LSU (twice) and Michigan. As such, the team enters with a team ERA of 7.12 and a batting average of .231. Prior to COVID-19, Drake won 43 games, held a top-25 ranking and made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.
 
The Coyotes took two of three from eight-time Summit League champion North Dakota State at home this past weekend and have conference favorite South Dakota State coming to town this weekend. South Dakota has already surpassed its win total from last season and is 16-13 overall.
 
Freshman pitcher Clara Edwards is the reigning Summit League Pitcher of the Week after earning both wins in the circle against North Dakota State. She is 9-7 with a 2.45 ERA and appeared in all but six games this season. Senior outfielder Courtney Wilson leads the Coyotes with a .337 average and has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games.
 
The game will be televised live on ESPN+. Michael Admire and Laura Leonard of the Drake Broadcasting Network have the call.