VERMILLION, S.D. – The North Dakota State softball team dropped the Summit League series finale on Sunday to the University of South Dakota, falling 8-1 at Nygaard Field.
 
The Bison (19-15, 1-2 SL) would get a pair of runners on in the second, but an interference by Reanna Rudd at second ended the threat and South Dakota would capitalize in the bottom half of the inning. The Coyotes responded and capitalized two Bison errors to score four runs and take the lead.
 
NDSU wouldn't threaten again until the sixth inning, getting two Bison on base. Cameryn Maykut then stepped up and hit a double off the fence in left to score Molly Gates, but NDSU would strand two runners in scoring position.
 
South Dakota (16-13, 2-1 SL) would answer with four runs in the bottom of the inning, including three before the first out, to pull away for good.
 
Vargas was dealt the loss, allowing three runs, two earned in one inning of work. Rudd was the only Bison to reach base multiple times safely going 1-for-1 with a walk.
 
The Bison will remain on the road next weekend, traveling to Nebraska to take on Omaha on April 2-3.