VERMILLION, S.D. — South Dakota will travel to Phoenix, Ariz. where they will face Northern Colorado, Sac State, and the host team Grand Canyon in the GCU Invitational. 
 
GAME #1
South Dakota vs Northern Colorado
Where: GCU Softball Stadium | Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Friday, Feb. 13 | 11:30 a.m. CST
No live video | Live Stats
 
GAME #2
South Dakota vs Sac State
Where: GCU Softball Stadium | Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Friday, Feb. 13 | 2:15 p.m. CST
No live video | Live Stats
 
GAME #3
South Dakota vs Sac State
Where: GCU Softball Stadium | Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Saturday, Feb. 14 | 10 a.m. CST
No live video | Live Stats
 
GAME #4
South Dakota at Grand Canyon
Where: GCU Softball Stadium | Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Saturday, Feb. 14 | 3:30 p.m. CST
Watch | Live Stats
 
GAME #5
South Dakota vs Sac State
Where: GCU Softball Stadium | Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Sunday, Feb. 15 | 10 a.m. CST
No live video | Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
The Yotes opened their season last weekend with a trip to Huntsville, Texas where they competed in the Bearkat Classic hosted by Sam Houston. USD ended with a 2-3 record on the weekend with wins over Sam Houston and Creighton. 
 
LEADING HITTER
Brooke Carey leads the Yotes after going 6-14 and posting a .429 average at the plate. She came around for four runs scored, hit a double and homerun, and walked twice as well. She ended the weekend with a .500 on base percentage.
 
RUN PRODUCTION
A trio of Yotes had multiple RBIs on the weekend, including four from Delaney White that came from a Grand Slam in the Sunday game vs Creighton. This was the first grand slam hit by a Coyote since 2.18.2022 when Jordyn Pender hit one vs Georgetown. 

Autumn Iversen was close behind with three that were scattered across multiple games including the difference maker in the 2-1 win over Sam Houston. Sara Iburg also added two RBIs thanks to two home runs on the weekend. 
 
YOTES ON THE BASES
Three Yotes recorded a stolen base over the weekend including Brynnly German who was 2-2 while pinch running in multiple games. Kiya Johnson and Iburg were also able to record a steal. 
 
EVANS ON THE MOUND
Madison Evans was the Yotes go to on the mound as she earned two complete game wins for USD. She pitched 19.2 of the 31 innings played and gave up only eight earned runs while striking out 23 and recording a 2.85 ERA. 
 
FIRST CAREER STARTS
Camryn Kersten made her collegiate debut in Huntsville. She appeared in all five games with starts in four, splitting time between shortstop and third base. She ended with a .222 average getting her first two hits and walking three times. 
 
Sophia Bauman also made her first start at shortstop in game two. 
 
ABOUT NORTHERN COLORADO
The Bears started their season at the Southern California Tournament last weekend where they went 2-3 with wins over California Santa Barbra and UC Riverside. They had the chance to play No. 7 UCLA and dropped the contest 1-10. 
 
Their starting center-fielder KK Christie earned a .471 average at the plate last weekend hitting four doubles and three home runs in only 17 at bats. Anna Wilming was their go to in the circle throwing 14.0 innings with a win and 4.50 ERA. She gave up nine earned runs with seven strikeouts. 
 
VS NORTHERN COLORADO
The Bears last met the Yotes in 2020 when they both attended the New Mexico Lobo Classic in Albuquerque, N.M. and faced off twice. USD won 6-4 and 5-4 (8 inn.). All time the Yotes are 13-4 when playing UNC. 
 
ABOUT SAC STATE
Sac State went 4-1 at the NorCal Kickoff to start their 2026 season with a lone loss to Colorado State. They had two wins over Saint Mary's that were both shutouts and only gave up three runs in their four wins. 
 
Alexa Ortiz was named Big Sky pitcher of the week after her performance last weekend. In three appearances (two starts) she posted a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA allowing only four hits with 17 strikeouts over 15.0 innings. Shannon Garcia leads them at the plate with a .417 average with two doubles and two runs scored. 
 
VS SAC STATE
This is South Dakota and Sac State's first meeting in program history.
 
ABOUT GRAND CANYON 
The Lopes are coming off a 5-0 weekend after hosting the GCU Kickoff Classic last weekend highlighted by opening their season with a 17-2 five inning win over Southern Utah. After opening weekend, they received 14 points in the NCAA softball polls. 
 
The duo of Tinley Lucas and Mackenzie Nolan posted batting averages in the 400s this weekend, and both have a .500 on base percentage. Taryn Batterton leads the pitching staff with a 2-0 record. She pitched two complete game shutouts giving up only six hits in those 14.0 innings and striking out 18. 
 
VS GRAND CANYON
USD is 2-5 when playing GCU with the last meeting in 2023. They played twice that year at the Lopes Up Classic in Phoenix where Grand Canyon won 6-14 and 3-10.