HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS — South Dakota dropped both games on the opening day of the 2026 season at the Bearkat Classic but get another chance at the same teams tomorrow. Sara Iburg led the offense with two homeruns on the day.
 
 
South Dakota 3, Central Arkansas 7
The Coyotes and Bears were scoreless through three innings before Central Arkansas broke through with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. South Dakota answered in the bottom half, tying the game on an RBI groundout by Autumn Iversen to score Madison Evans before taking a 2-1 lead on a wild pitch that brought in Brooke Carey. The Bears responded with three runs in the fifth and added three more in the sixth to pull away for the four-run victory. 
Central Arkansas finished with eight hits and drew eight walks, while South Dakota totaled seven hits. Iburg highlighted the Coyote offense with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Carey recorded two hits and Evans added a double and a run scored. 
Evans (0-1) took the loss after striking out 11 over 5.2 innings. Central Arkansas starter Bailie Runner earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits across a complete game effort. 
 
Pitching Decision 
W: Bailie Runner (1-0)
L: Madison Evans (0-1)
 
Coyote Stat Leaders 
Brooke Carey | 2-2, 1 2B, 1 BB
Sara Iburg | 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Madison Evans | 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB
 
 
South Dakota 2, Sam Houston 11
Sam Houston jumped out early and pulled away with a high-powered offensive performance, ending the game after five innings via run rule. The Bearkats scored 11 runs while limiting the Coyotes to two runs in the loss. 
 
The Coyotes scored both runs on a two-run home run by Iburg that also brought Carey home. The loss moved the Coyotes to 0-2 on the day during the opening weekend in the Bearkat Classic. 
 
Pitching Decision 
W: Tiffany Sanchez (1-0)
L: Peyton Paulsen (0-1)
 
Coyote Stat Leaders 
Sara Iburg | 2-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Autumn Iversen | 1-1, 1 2B
 
Up Next
South Dakota continues tournament play this weekend in Huntsville.