Bartow, Fla. – The University of Sioux Falls softball team put together one of its best days of the season today, rolling past American International 12-5 in game one before rallying for a 4-2 win over No. 23 McKendree in game two.
The Cougars improved to 11-9 overall while also celebrating two major program milestones. Meghan Jochimsen set the USF career record for triples with the 11th of her career in the opener, while Maddi Duncan became the program's all-time strikeout leader, recording her 381st career strikeout during the Cougars' ranked victory over McKendree.
Game One: Sioux Falls 12, American International 5
Sioux Falls wasted no time taking control in the opener, erupting for eight runs in the first inning and never looking back.
The Cougars got the bats going immediately when Emma Kristof singled home Meghan Jochimsen for the game's first run. Kyra Knudtson followed with a two-run double to center, and Morgan Linstad added a two-run double of her own later in the inning to push the lead to 5-0. Jochimsen then delivered the big swing of the frame with a two-run triple to left center, and Kristof capped the outburst by reaching on an error that allowed another run to score.
Jochimsen's two-run triple during the eight-run first inning also proved historic, as the senior set the University of Sioux Falls career record for triples with the 11th of her career. The milestone triple broke the program's previous record set by Courtney Farrell with 9 and continued Jochimsen's standout offensive season for the Cougars.
American International answered with two runs in the second, but Sioux Falls responded again in the bottom half. Linstad lifted a sacrifice fly to center, Sammie Radish followed with a sacrifice fly to left, and Addison Heule added an RBI single up the middle as the Cougars stretched the lead to 11-2 through two innings.
The Yellow Jackets mounted a brief push in the fifth with three runs, including a solo home run from Brooklyn Cividanes, but Sioux Falls got one back in the sixth when Radish doubled down the left-field line to score Brianna DeLorenzo and provide the final margin.
Lauryn Foudree earned the win after working the first four innings, while Ava Mejia closed out the final 2.1 innings without allowing a run.
Key Cougars
Game Two: Sioux Falls 4, No. 23 McKendree 2
The Cougars followed with a gritty comeback against a nationally ranked opponent, erasing a late deficit to earn their first ranked win since 2021 when they defeated No. 1 Augustana.
After two scoreless innings, Sioux Falls struck first in the third. Sammie Radish opened the inning with a single, Meghan Jochimsen reached on an error and later stole second, and Kristof lined a single to center to bring Radish home for a 1-0 lead.
Maddi Duncan was sharp early in the circle, piling up 11 strikeouts and keeping McKendree off the board through the first five innings. The Bearcats finally broke through in the sixth, taking advantage of a leadoff error and back-to-back RBI singles to move in front 2-1.
Sioux Falls answered in dramatic fashion in the top of the seventh. Morgan Linstad reached after being hit by a pitch and Brianna DeLorenzo came on to run. With two outs, Jochimsen then doubled to left to tie the game, Kristof followed with another RBI double to put the Cougars ahead, and Hanna Raethz lined a single to right to plate an insurance run and make it 4-2.
Duncan continued her dominant outing by rewriting the Cougar record books during the game. With her 11th strikeout of the afternoon, the senior recorded the 381st strikeout of her career, breaking the University of Sioux Falls career strikeout record while finishing off the complete-game victory as the Cougars celebrated a marquee win over the No. 23-ranked Bearcats.
Key Cougars
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Maddi Duncan: Complete game, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 11 strikeouts while setting the USF career strikeout record (381).
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Emma Kristof: 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, including the go-ahead double in the seventh.
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Meghan Jochimsen: 2-for-4 with a double, stolen base and game-tying RBI.
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Hanna Raethz: 1-for-4 with the insurance RBI in the seventh.
Up Next
The Cougars wrap up play at The Spring Games on Sunday with their final matchup in Bartow, Florida tomorrow as they take on Queens College at 7:30am (CST).
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