South Dakota

Omaha stuns South Dakota State, captures Summit League softball championship

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2024

Omaha stuns South Dakota State, captures Summit League softball championship

BROOKINGS — Another successful season has ended in disappointment at the hands of the Omaha Mavericks for the South Dakota State softball team.

The Jackrabbits once again won the regular season conference title and hosted the Summit League tournament on their home field, and once again came up short, as the Mavericks beat SDSU twice on Saturday to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament.

The top-seeded Jacks entered the day needing just one win, but they fell 5-2 and then 7-0 to the Mavs and ace pitcher Kamryn Meyer. It’s the second year in a row the Jacks won the regular season title but were ousted by Omaha in the conference tournament.

“I’m definitely gonna be feeling it tomorrow,” Meyer said after working 14 innings in four hours. “But I was willing to do whatever I had to do for my teammates. It’s super special to be able to play with these girls. These seniors were going to put everything on the line, no matter what it took, and I’m super grateful for this opportunity.”

“What a performance,” said Mavs coach Mike Heard of his ace pitcher. “I’ve said for a couple years now, when she goes out there you just know what you’re gonna get. She’s that good. At a certain point you run out of adjectives to describe her. She’s incredible.”

Alex Olson’s grand slam in the sixth inning was the decisive blow in the first game, and they scored four in the first inning of the second game to take control they’d never relinquish under Meyer, the Summit League pitcher of the year.

SDSU’s Brooke Dumont takes a pitch during the Summit League tournament championship on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Brookings.

Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live

The Jacks had chances to win the opener. They had seven hits off Meyer, creating constant traffic on the bases, but they couldn’t come through with the big hit with runners on.

Omaha had taken a 1-0 lead on a homer by Maggie O’Brien, but the Jacks answered with a solo homer from Mia Jarecki, the Summit League player of the year. The Jacks kept the pressure on Meyer from there, but as they failed to take advantage, the Mavs hurler eventually found a groove.

Jacks ace Tori Kniesche matched her until the sixth, when the wheels fell off.

SDSU’s Mia Jarecki (right) is met at home plate by teammate Emma Osmundson after hitting a home run in the first game of the Summit League softball tournament championship on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Brookings.

Lynsey Tucker and O’Brien singled, and pinch-hitter Sammy Schmidt laid down a bunt the Jacks couldn’t turn into an out, loading the bases. Olson then followed with a long drive that just cleared the right-center field wall, blowing the game open.

Omaha chose to bring Meyer back into the circle in Game 2 while the Jacks went with No. 2 starter Shannon Lacey, who couldn’t get out of the first inning, allowing four runs to dig the Jacks a devastating hole.

Kniesche came on in the fourth inning with the Jacks down 5-0, and she allowed two runs in 3.2 innings before she was removed with one out to go in the seventh inning for a curtain call on a historic career that saw her win two Summit League pitcher of the year awards.

Omaha pitcher Kamryn Meyer celebrates a strikeout in the first game of the Summit League softball championship on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Brookings.

Meyer, meanwhile, kept on dealing, allowing just three hits in the complete game shutout, and fielding a comebacker for the final out. She improved to 25-4 on the season. The Mavs record heading into the NCAA tournament is 41-13.

The Jacks finish the season 33-22. The Mavericks were the only Summit League team to defeat them.

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.

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South Dakota

America’s Biggest Petrified Park Has Otherworldly Vibes Next To South Dakota’s Cowboy Capital – Islands

Published

6 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

America’s Biggest Petrified Park Has Otherworldly Vibes Next To South Dakota’s Cowboy Capital – Islands

On the prowl for the most unique roadside stops across America? Then buckle up and cruise on over to Lemmon — aka, the “cowboy capital” of South Dakota. There, right off U.S. Highway 12, you’ll find an otherworldly roadside oddity known as the Lemmon Petrified Wood Park & Museum. The peculiar park is the largest of its kind, taking up an entire block in the heart of the town’s downtown area. “It’s touted as the ‘Biggest Petrified Wood Park’ in the world which makes me wonder how many there are,” one past visitor wrote in a Tripadvisor review. “My guess is the Lemmon one is the only one and that it’s an inside joke. Go see it.”

This outdoor gem was the brainchild of a local amateur geologist named Ole Sever Quammen, Roadside America reports. As the park’s name suggests, it was created using thousands of tons of petrified wood, which is the fossilized remains of trees, as well as bits of boulders and dinosaur bones. “The petrified wood that was used in this park is just stunning,” another park-goer shared on Tripadvisor. “It all came from the fields surrounding the town and they put their creative genes to work. Plus, they have a display of rocks that have [dinosaur] claw marks in them. A very interesting park and worth a bit of your time to walk around.”

Opened in the early 1930s, the park was eventually donated to the town in the 1950s, where it still stands for all to enjoy today. You can freely stroll the grounds throughout the year. However, the on-site museum and gift shop are only open in the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See fossilized wood sculptures and more on display

Teeming with whimsy and wonder, this nook of the artsy, off-the-beaten-path town of Lemmon is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Meander among the 100 or so unique petrified wood sculptures and other attractions scattered across the park. There’s certainly plenty to see, from a stunning waterfall fountain and wishing well to an imposing castle-like structure bedecked with dinosaur bones and lofty spires — some of which tower 20 feet above the ground.

If you visit in season, be sure to check out the indoor exhibits, too. The Petrified Wood Park & Museum doesn’t charge an admission fee, at the time of writing, making it one of the best free museums in America for a family day trip. “This is a great place to learn about the history of the area,” reads a Tripadvisor review. “The docents in the museum and gift shop are gems! There is a playground and public restrooms on the adjacent block, making this a nice place to stop for a break on a long drive.”

As if this place could get any cooler, you can even donate various artifacts and other historic relics to the park’s collection, though there’s no guarantee that your item will be put on display. If you want to take a gander at more dinosaur fossils, be sure to stop by the Grand River Museum before leaving town. It’s less than half a mile away and boasts an array of exhibits about the early ranching days, the history of Native peoples, and much more.

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South Dakota

November Commemorations Remind South Dakota of an Unsettling Truth: Toxic Exposure Still Impacts Veterans and Military Families

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24 hours ago

November 24, 2025

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November Commemorations Remind South Dakota of an Unsettling Truth: Toxic Exposure Still Impacts Veterans and Military Families

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South Dakota

South Dakota State will host New Hampshire for First Round matchup

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota State will host New Hampshire for First Round matchup

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – For the 14th consecutive season, SDSU is in the playoffs.

With a record of 8-4 they will host 8-4 New Hampshire.

A little over four weeks ago South Dakota State was undefeated.

On Saturday they snapped a 4 game losing streak.

The Jacks are happy to keep playing football.

Graham Goering, SDSU wide receiver said, “We’re just blessed for any opportunity we are given. I think having some losses, there’s really never a doubt there actually and I think just seeing our name on screen ignites a little fire for everyone on the team. So obviously just blessed and excited for new season.”

Head coach Dan Jackson said, “This team has been close and galvanized for a long time, but what I do think it does it breathes a little bit of new life in them and last four weeks have been pretty heavy for them because they have been giving us all they have while at the same time not getting results they wanted. For them to be able to take a deep breath and remember who they are, and remember we can win and win in big moments, I think we have a really confident team that feels amazing right now not only after that play but how they competed the entire game.”

SDSU hosts New Hampshire at noon at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

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