Tori Kniesche To Continue Softball Career At South Dakota State University

 

WAYNE – After capping off her final year of high school softball with back-to-back state championships, Tori Kniesche will be furthering her education a state to the north.

Wednesday afternoon marked the official date for Kniesche to sign her national letter of intent to play softball at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. Just about a year ago (November, 16, 2019) Tori’s sister Annie Kniesche signed with the University of Sioux Falls.

Tori Kniesche chose South Dakota State because of the family environment.

“The whole community supports the college just like Wayne and I felt like home there,” said Kniesche. “I know coach Wood really well because she used to coach at Wayne State and so I kind of grew up with her. I’m just super excited to go there.”

Tori will be pursuing a degree in exercise science.

After winning the Class C State title with their 35-0 record in 2018, WHS went 35-4 winning the Class B title this year.

During her senior season, Tori worked 196 1/3 innings in the circle going 29-3, allowing 21 runs (11 earned) off 42 hits, striking out 499 batters, walking 43 and hitting another 11. She recorded an ERA of .392. Offensively, Kniesche led the team in batting average (.483), homeruns (14), RBI (39) and walks (33) while finishing second in hits (43).

Kniesche added the past four years have impacted her life.

“I like overcame some challenges,” Kniesche added. “I learned small things mean a lot and I just had a life time of full-fun and everything. It was just a great experience.”

Along with numerous team and individual records set, Kniesche also broke the Class B strikeout record which was previously 380, now at 499.

Kniesche will be making her official visit to SDSU this weekend and will be playing summer ball with Quakes Prime.

SDSU finished 37-19 (11-7 Summit League) and went 1-2 during the 2019 National Invitational Softball Championships. The Jackrabbits are coached by former Wayne State College (eight seasons) head softball coach, Krista Wood who’ll be entering her sixth season at the helm in Brookings.

Along with Kniesche graduating, Kayla Fleming was the other senior who started at second base. The Blue Devils will have only one senior on the team next year as they return a group of eight sophomores and four freshman who’ll be moving up a year.

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