University of South Dakota Athletics

VERMILLION, S.D. — Campbell German held the high-powered Omaha offense to just three runs in a complete game effort with all four combined runs came across to score via the home run in a 3-1 series opening win for the Mavericks Thursday afternoon from Nygaard Field.  
 
PITCHING DECISIONS
Win: Maddia Groff (15-5)
Loss: Campbell German (0-8)
 
In her longest outing of her career, and arguably strongest outing, German kept the bats of the best offensive team in the Summit League off balance most of the day to start the final regular season series of the season.
 
In the first inning, German would work around a pair of hits and a walk to escape a bases loaded jam with a big strikeout.
 
Meanwhile, the battle was between the two arms in the circle for the first four innings of the day. South Dakota got their first hit of the day in the third with a leadoff single from Sara Iburg. She would steal her seventh bag of the season to move into scoring position, but it would remain scoreless after three complete.
 
South Dakota would start the scoring with a leadoff home run for Ella McGee to start the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Omaha would respond in the next half inning with a two-run blast of their own to give them their first lead of the day at 2-1, a lead that they would not relinquish with their ace in the circle.
 
In the sixth, Allie Cromer was inches away from a game-tying home run but a ball off the right field wall would be enough for a one-out triple. Ultimately, the Yotes would not be able to drive in that run.
 
Omaha added an insurance run in the top half of the seventh with a solo shot, their second long ball of the day.
 
German was solid in the circle, allowing just eight hits and three runs to the best offense in the Summit League. She also struck out two Mavericks in the complete game outing.
 
UP NEXT: Game 2 of the series is set for tomorrow, Friday, May 1 from Nygaard Field with a 3 p.m. first pitch as the Coyotes will wear green on Mental Health Awareness Day from the ballpark.