FORT COLLINS, Colo. — South Dakota split its Saturday doubleheader at Ram Field, falling 4-2 in the opener before bouncing back with a 6-2 victory over Colorado State in the second game.
 
South Dakota 2, Colorado State 4
Colorado State struck first in game one with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning and added two more runs in the third to build a 3-1 lead. South Dakota tied the game in the second when Abi Brown tripled down the right field line to score Sara Iburg, but the Rams responded with a two-run homer in the third to regain control.

The Coyotes cut the deficit to one in the fourth inning after Ella McGee reached and came around to score on an RBI single from Brown, who finished the game with two hits and both of USD's RBIs. South Dakota threatened again in the sixth with the bases loaded, but Colorado State escaped the jam and added an insurance run in the bottom half to secure the 4-2 win.

Pitching Decision 
W: Reagan Wick (7-4)
L: Campbell German (0-4)
 
South Dakota 6, Colorado State 2
South Dakota responded in game two behind a complete-game performance from Madison Evans, who allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out five.

After Colorado State took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Coyotes answered immediately in the second. McGee tripled to open the frame and scored on an RBI groundout by Allie Cromer before Brown followed with a solo home run to give USD a 2-1 advantage.

The Coyotes extended the lead in the fourth when McGee delivered another triple to drive in Delaney White, and a groundout by Cromer plated a second run to make it 4-1. USD added two more in the fifth inning as Brooke Carey doubled home a run and Iburg followed with an RBI single.

McGee and Brown each recorded two hits in the win, while Carey added a pair of doubles and an RBI as the Coyotes totaled nine hits in the game to secure the split.

Pitching Decision 
W: Madison Evans (4-7)
L: Giselle Bentley (2-4)
 
Up Next
South Dakota continues play in Colorado with a double header verses Northern Colorado tomorrow.