SDSU's Coach Wood Sign Three South Dakota Athletes to Softball Scholarships

South Dakota State softball announced six new additions as part of Wednesday's National Signing Day. The six freshmen will enroll at South Dakota State in fall 2020.
 
"We are thrilled to have such a talented class of 2020 athletes joining the Jackrabbit family," head coach Krista Wood said. "In addition to being exceptional student-athletes, each of these players fit our program and have all the characteristics we are looking for to continue our culture the Jackrabbit way."

Cheyanne Masterson • IF • 5-8 • R/R • Hartford, S.D. • West Central HS
Born June 14, 2002 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota … daughter of Kristi and Larry Masterson … plans to major in Biology and secondary education.

• Four-time All-State, All-Tournament and team Offensive MVP (2016-19) selection.
• Blasted six home runs, posted a .464 batting average with a racked up a .577 OBP as a senior.
• Hit .428 with 13 home runs and a .480 on-base percentage in 2019 with Sioux Falls Steel.
• Three-time ASA State Softball champion (2017-19) and four-time Class B South Dakota High School State Tournament champion (2016-19).
• National Honor Society member and 2017-19 student of the year with A-Honor Roll honors.

 
Wood on Masterson: "Cheyanne has a big, powerful bat who can change the game with one swing. She's a solid infielder and has been a key part of her high school team's state championship success. Cheyanne is a competitor and we look forward to her bringing that commitment to winning to our program."
 
Emma Osmundson • IF/OF • 5-10 • L/R • Sioux Falls, S.D. • Lincoln HS
Born March 2, 2002 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota … daughter of Greg and Nicole Osmundson … father, Greg, and uncle, Jeff, played football at SDSU … mother, Nicole, and aunt, Tammy, attended SDSU … plans to major in Biology/Chemistry.

• Four-year Class A All-State First Team selection (2016-19) and three-year Class A All-State Tournament Team pick (2017-19).
• Batted .629 with a .649 on-base percentage, 52 runs, 46 hits, 36 runs batted in, 11 doubles, five triples and five home runs as a senior.
• 2019 South Dakota High School State Champion and 2018 runner-up.
• 2019 Class A All-State Second Team for basketball, helping team finish runner up at 2019 state championship.
• National Honor Society member, three-year scholar athlete (2016-19) and 2019 AP Scholar Award Winner.

 
Wood on Osmundson: "Emma is a lefty utility player who will add power and speed into our lineup. Her athleticism allows her to play all over the field, and she's a special player who has strong ties to the SDSU community. She will be a game-changer for us and we're excited to have her staying home as a Jackrabbit."
 
Millie Mueller • OF • 5-3 • L/R • Sioux Falls, S.D. • Lincoln HS
Born July 17, 2002 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota … daughter of Teddi and Jay Mueller … third Mueller sibling to attend SDSU … major is undecided.

• Posted .434 batting average and .478 on-base mark as a senior with 36 hits, including four triples and six doubles with 18 stolen bases.
• Hit .371 with club team in summer 2019, racking up 53 hits, five doubles, three triples and 11 walks alongside 19 stolen bases.
• Won 2019 South Dakota High School State Champion.
• 2017 ASA State Chamipons and PGF qualifier with club team.
• National Honor Society member and three-year academic letterwinner.

 
Wood on Mueller: "Millie is a solid outfielder with good speed. As a slapper, she brings a knack for reading the defense at the plate. In the outfield, she gets good reads and has made some tremendous catches. She's another commit with connections to the SDSU community and she'll be a great fit for our program."

Tori Tollefson • IF • 5-7 • R/R • Chanhassen, Minn. • Chanhassen HS
Has not completed senior season … Born July 26, 2002 in Edina, Minnesota … daughter of Andrew and Deb Tollefson … plans to major in exercise science.

• 2019 All-State Second Team and two-time all-conference selection (2018-19)
• Hit .479 with six home runs and 37 hits, including program-record four triples as a junior.
• Racked up 92 hits through three years of high school ball.
• Four-time conference champs, finished third at 2017 Class 4A Minnesota High School State Tournament and 4A State Champions in 2016.
• National Honor Society member and three-time academic honor roll selection (2016-19).

 
Wood on Tollefson: "Tori has extreme power from the right side of the plate and has the ability to come up clutch in big situations. She is fearless in the infield, a great teammate and a natural leader whose passion for the game is contagious."
 
Tori Kniesche • P • 5-10 • R/R • Wayne, Neb. • Wayne HS
Born Dec. 22, 2001 in Wayne, Nebraska … daughter of Vicki and Vince Kniesche … plans to major in exercise science.

• Three-time Omaha World-Herald All-State (2017 Second Team, 2018-19 First Team) and Lincoln Star Journal All-State (2017 Second Team, 2018-19 First Team) with Super State honors (Class B and All-Class with honorary captain nods) previous two years.
• Posted 0.66 career ERA with 68 wins and 1,229 strikeouts, including 20 wins, a 0.38 ERA and 350 strikeouts as a senior and 32 wins, 374 strikeouts and a 0.28 junior ERA.
• Helped team win 2018 (Class C) and 2019 (Class B) Nebraska High School State Tournaments and claimed all-conference first team honors in last three seasons.
• Set a number of Nebraska Class B records, including single-season no-hitters (12) and strikeouts (499), single-game strikeouts (21 in seven innings), career no-hitters (21), consecutive strikeouts (27) and consecutive innings without allowing a run (121.2).
• National Honor Society and Academic All-State pick for softball and basketball.

 
Wood on Kniesche: "Tori is a power pitcher who uses great velocity and movement to get batters to miss. She has won multiple state championships in the circle for Wayne and brings a winning pedigree to our program. We're looking forward Tori being part of our future."
 
Makenna Johnson • OF • L/R • 5-8 • Lakeville, Minn. • Lakeville South HS
Did not play high school softball … Born Jan. 22, 2002 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota … daughter of Erik and Tracy Johnson … plans to major in pre-physical therapy.

• Played club softball with Midwest Speed, helping team 2016-19 True Team Section Championships and 2016 True Team State title.
• Hit .438 with .467 on-base percentage in 2019, racking up 64 hits with 50 stolen bases and 38 runs.
• Team finished ninth at 2018 and 2019 PGF Platinum Nationals, leading team in average, OBP, hits, runs and stolen bases both years.
• Ran track and was a 2017 All-State selection with South Suburban All-Conference honors from 2017-19. 2018 Minnesota Track State Qualifier for 100M open, and was a 2017 state finalist in 4x100M relay.
• National Honor Society member and three-time Academic All-State pick (2017-19).

 
Wood on Johnson: "Makenna is a lefty bat who brings exceptional speed to our lineup. She is dangerous on the base paths and uses that speed to get great jumps in the outfield to help her track down balls in the gap. Her work ethic is evident on and off the field and I'm excited to watch her continue to grow."