Another massive upset was scored in the world of college softball on Wednesday.
The 20th-ranked Baylor Bears again fell victim to an unranked opponent, as the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits picked up their first nationally-ranked win in program history. This was the second historic upset in less than a week for a Baylor team that dropped four spots in the college softball rankings after a loss to Boston University Terriers last week.
The Jackrabbits pulled out a historic 5-2 win behind the pitching of junior Tori Kniesche, who allowed just two hits on five runs with four strikeouts and four walks in seven innings pitched.
Thanks to a four-run third inning, the Jackrabbits were able to take a commanding 5-0 lead, though they would surrender two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Bears attempted to claw back. It was a team effort for a South Dakota team that saw five different players record an RBI during Wednesday’s victory.
The two sides would play again later that Wednesday, as Baylor took the second game of a doubleheader in a 3-0 shutout. Still, that didn’t take away from what the Jackrabbits were able to accomplish.
The softball world buzzed over the big upset after it went down Wednesday night.
The Summit League responded to a celebratory tweet on the upset win.
Multiple fans pointed out that Baylor is the only team that 1st-ranked Oklahoma has lost to this season. However, the Sooners did shut out the Jackrabbits on Monday night.
“This team is like no other,” said South Dakota State freshman pitcher Maddie Cocker.
“LETS GOOOOOO!!! #gojacks,” wrote Jackrabitts assistant coach Brittany Gomez-Olson.
[South Dakota State Softball on Twitter]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.