Nebraska softball is set to kick off its 2026 NCAA Tournament journey at Bowlin Stadium this Friday evening, facing off against the South Dakota Coyotes. Let's break down what the Huskers can expect from their opening opponent.
South Dakota enters the tournament as an automatic qualifier after an improbable run through the Summit League Tournament. The Coyotes won four games in four days to capture the program's first-ever conference title and, in doing so, earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. It's a remarkable achievement for a team that finished the regular season with a 20-34-1 overall record and a 9-15 mark on the road.
Offensively, the Coyotes are hitting .272 as a team and averaging 3.78 runs per game. Leading the charge is Brooke Carey—sister of Husker baseball player Dylan Carey—who boasts a team-best .343 batting average to go along with two home runs, 12 doubles, and 20 RBIs. The only other South Dakota batter hitting above .300 is Kiya Johnson, who sits at exactly .300 with two homers and 13 RBIs. Interestingly, the Coyotes' roster features seven Nebraska natives, adding a bit of local flavor to the matchup.
On the mound, Madison Evans is the workhorse, making 30 starts in 33 appearances with a 15-14 record. She carries a 3.96 ERA and holds opponents to a .249 batting average. Campbell German provides depth with 11 starts and 25 appearances, though her numbers sit at 0-9 with a 5.81 ERA and a .346 opponents' batting average. As a staff, the Coyotes have a collective ERA of 4.82 and allow a .291 batting average.
The Coyotes are led by head coach Robert Wagner, now in his 10th season at the helm. He holds a 223-296-1 record at South Dakota and a 255-322 mark overall in his managerial career.
History strongly favors Nebraska in this matchup. The Huskers hold a perfect 15-0 all-time record against South Dakota, with the most recent meeting coming in a doubleheader back in March 2022 in Lincoln. The winner of Friday's game advances to face the winner of Grand Canyon vs. Louisville on Saturday at noon CT, while the loser will play an elimination game at 2:30 p.m. CT against the loser of that same matchup.
For fans looking to gear up for the tournament, this is a great time to show your support with the latest Nebraska softball apparel—whether you're cheering from the stands at Bowlin Stadium or watching from home.