South Dakota
South Dakota softball’s run ends in extra-inning loss to Grand Canyon
South Dakota’s special postseason run came to an end in a 5-4 loss in eight innings against Grand Canyon at the Lincoln Regional, but it didn’t come without some heroics on each side.
Jada Cooper won the game for the Antelopes with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. South Dakota pitcher Peyton Paulsen got the first two outs of the inning, then Sydney McCray and Raegan Holtorf singled to set up Cooper’s swing.
“Credit to Grand Canyon, they had a super fast runner at second base and it was going to be hard to throw her out,” South Dakota head coach Robert Wagner said. “We made an effort on it, but overall it’s a good game. I’m really proud of the players, coaches and everybody involved.”
Grand Canyon will face top-seeded Nebraska in the Lincoln Regional Final at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17. The winner will move on to the Super Regional round.
South Dakota sent the game to extra with two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at four. Sara Iburg walked and Ella McGee doubled with one out, and Katie Hofmann was sent up to pinch hit for Brynnly German.
Hofmann delivered her fifth hit of the season and doubled her season RBI total with a two-run single to tie the game. Hofmann was in tears of joy on first base, and first base coach Shannon Pivovar looked her in the eyes and said, “I’m so proud of you.”
Grand Canyon broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth, with Tinley Lucas and Ellie Pond hitting home runs on back-to-back pitches.
Campbell German got the start in the circle for South Dakota after Madison Evans got the win over Louisville. She surrendered a run in the first and another in the third. Campbell German’s final line was six innings, 11 hits, three walks, four runs, three earned and three strikeouts.
The sophomore pitcher entered the game with a 5.81 ERA in 2026, but navigated trouble constantly to give South Dakota a shot at the regional final.
Paulsen went 1.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits.
“Campbell and Peyton did a great job,” Wagner said. “There’s a few things defensively we’d like to have back, clean up, but Campbell kept them off balance and she made some pitches and was using the elements to her advantage.”
The Coyotes took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. Kiya Johnson drove in Autumn Iversen and McGee with a single.
McGee led the ‘Yotes with three hits and two runs scored, Johnson finished with two hits and an RBI, Hofmann had a single and two RBIs, Iversen walked three times and scored once, Iburg walked and scored a run, Brooke Carey singled and Abi Brown drew a walk.
South Dakota finished its season with a 25-36-1 record, but the Coyotes won their first conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament game in the program’s 48-year history.
“The experience is invaluable because, you can say it all you want, but now they’ve been through it,” Wagner said. “I think moving forward, it’s going to benefit the players and the program.”
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Sioux Falls police are investigating after two motorcycles collided on Friday night in the western part of the city, leaving both riders dead.
According to Sgt. Jason Montgomery, at around 9:20 p.m., crews responded to North Kiwanis Avenue and West Russell Street.
There, it was discovered that two motorcyclists traveling west on Russell collided with each other just before the bridge.
Both bikes struck a metal guard rail on the south side of the road, throwing both riders from their motorcycles.
One of the riders was pronounced dead on the scene, and the second rider was later declared dead at a nearby hospital.
The names of those involved have not been released. Any additional information will be shared at Monday’s police briefing.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – South Dakota teens are heading to the Black Hills this summer to build leadership skills, explore careers in agriculture, and gain hands-on experience in cooperative business through the South Dakota Farmers Union Senior Leadership State Camp.
South Dakota Farmers Union helps keep its camps affordable for farm, ranch, and rural families by subsidizing costs and providing transportation for campers.
The organization offers several camp opportunities this summer:
- State Senior Camp (Grades 7-12): June 7-12 at Storm Mountain in the Black Hills
- State Junior Camp (Ages 9-12): July 19-22 at Camp Byron near Huron
- Day Camps (Ages 6-12): Held at locations across South Dakota
Youth leaders also play an active role in helping plan camp activities.
For more information or to register, visit sdfu.org or contact Karla Hofhenke at Karla@sdfu.org.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
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