SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - As the NSIC/US Bank Tournament nears, Sioux Falls Softball closes the regular season with three doubleheaders this week. USF (26-18, 12-12 NSIC) hosts Concordia-St. Paul (16-31, 10-14 NSIC) on Wednesday, April 22 at 2 and 4 p.m. before hitting the road for a pair of twinbills to finish the season. The Cougars take on Upper Iowa (19-26, 14-10 NSIC) in Fayette, Iowa at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 then travel to Winona, Minn. for a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26 at No. 19 Winona State (38-10, 20-3 NSIC) at 12 and 2 p.m.
Setting the stage: Cougars locked in battle for conference tournament berth
With the top 10 teams in the final NSIC standings advancing to the NSIC/US Bank Tournament beginning on April 30, the Cougars improved their chances of earning a spot in the field with five wins last week. At 12-12 in the NSIC, Sioux Falls is in eighth place, but the road ahead isn't easy for the final spots in the Tournament. The Cougars host Concordia-St. Paul in their final home game of the season, and the Golden Bears will be hungry as they are one of three teams at 10-14 and tied for 11th in the standings. CU is tied with Minot State and St. Cloud State, who have a series against each other this weekend. Right behind the Cougars are U-Mary and Minnesota Duluth, who are 11-12 and 11-13, respectively, in NSIC play. Sioux Falls is two games behind a trio of teams: Wayne State, Southwest Minnesota State, and this Friday's opponent, Upper Iowa. While it looks improbable that the Cougars can move up in the standings, they are in a good position to hold onto their spot.
Series Histories: Cougars look to draw on recent success
Sioux Falls has seen about every possible outcome from this weekend's opponents and the series histories reflect that. Sioux Falls swept Concordia-St. Paul in the regular season last year then was eliminated from the NSIC Tournament by the Golden Bears. USF owns a 3-2 advantage over CU in their two-year history, with all five games being played in Sioux Falls. USF is 3-1 at home and the other game was played at Sherman Park, the site of last year's and this year's NSIC/US Bank Tournament. On two occasions, the Cougars have run-ruled Concordia-St. Paul, winning 10-0 in the first game in 2013 and 8-0 in game two last season. In USF's series against Upper Iowa, Sioux Falls is 2-2 with each team earning a sweep. The Cougars are 2-0 when hosting the Peacocks at Sherman Park. The Cougars swept the most recent series, notching 7-1 and 5-2 wins last season. Traditionally one of the top teams in the conference, Winona State has showed USF why they're regarded in that manner. Sioux Falls is 0-4 against the Warriors, being outscored 4-26 in their matchups against WSU.
Black is lights out in the circle
Over her last five starts, freshman Breanna Black has been a star in the circle for the Cougars. Notching five straight victories over the past week, Black posted a 0.67 earned run average and racked up 20 strikeouts. She started the last four games for the Cougars, winning all four. In two starts against Bemidji State, Black threw six shutout innings in the first game and after six in game two, coming back in to win the game in the eighth inning -- she also tallied the game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth after a 1-2-3 top half. She was even more impressive for the Cougars on Sunday, shutting out Minnesota Crookston in 10 innings of work. She allowed three hits in both starts and struck out a career-high eight batters in the game one victory.
