CLINTON, S.C. — Behind a seven-run third inning, the South Dakota softball team got back in the win column with a 10-1 five-inning win over Presbyterian Tuesday afternoon at PC Softball Complex.
 
Tatum Villotta and Alyssa Thorson reached base to kick off the contest, and while Presbyterian struck out the next Coyote a double steal would result in the first run of the game for USD. Both teams threatened in the second inning, each finding runners on second and third, but Clara Edwards and the Blue Hose's pitcher would work out of jams to keep the game with a 1-0 score in favor of the Yotes.
 
The Coyotes put the ball in play and were patient at the plate in the third on their way to tacking on seven runs. With the bases loaded, Brooke Carey singled to score one while Autumn Iversen and Abi Brown drew walks to score two more. Two straight singles from Ella McGee and Villotta plated three more to extend the advantage to 8-0. The Yotes tallied four hits, drew two walks and were hit by a pitch in the frame.
 
Back-to-back hits to start the inning for the Blue Hose in the fourth placed runners on the corners. After a foul out, the Yotes closed out the inning without surrendering a run by doubling up the Blue Hose on a line out turned double play by Villotta at second.
 
The Yotes added to their lead in the fifth with a pair of runs on a PC fielding error and a Madison Evans single.
 
The Blue Hose put a run on the board in the fifth, but Campbell German who entered the circle in relief in the inning closed out the 10-1 win for the Yotes.
 
Edwards earned her eighth win of the season after allowing just one run in 4.1 innings of work with four strikeouts.
 
Villotta went 2-for-3 from the plate, her 11th multi-hit game of the season and second in a row and drove in two runs and scored twice. Delaney White and Evans also tallied two hits, while McGee had two RBIs.
 
The Yotes continue their week in South Carolina tomorrow for a pair of games against USC Upstate. Game one is set for 1:00 p.m. CT against the Spartans.