In 2023, the South Dakota High School Activities Association held its first sanctioned season of high school softball. A look at the first year for the Rapid City Central Cobblers and Rapid City Stevens Raiders.
Year 1 of sanctioned softball in South Dakota brought several challenges for Rapid City Stevens and Rapid City Central, but it also created a sense of community and joy that left members of both teams hungry for more.
Rapid City Stevens' (from left) Summer Holway, Chloe Ohlsen and Tia Gease watch as freshman Sayde Hunt juggles softballs as they wait for individual pictures during photo day for the Raiders on March 21 in their indoor practice at the mall.
Rapid City Central seniors Shantel Anderson, left, and Jessica Chiolis watch the action during the Cobblers game against Sioux Falls Roosevelt on May 20 at Parkview Softball Complex.
Rapid City Stevens' Tia Gease (5) celebrates a catch with teammate Joslyn Johnson during the Raiders game against the Cobblers on May 2 at Parkview Softball Complex.
At center: Rapid City Central's Keera Taylor hugs Stevens' Summer Holway following their game on May 9 at Parkview Softball Complex. Taylor and Holway were both seniors for their respective teams who took part in the first season of sanctioned high school softball in South Dakota.
The Rapid City Stevens Raiders, including Summer Holway, center, and Nieva Colicheski, right, have fun in the dugout during their final home game against Sturgis on May 18 at Parkview Softball Complex.
Rapid City Central's Maleah Saucerman, center, and Raylee Jones, right, dump buckets of softballs onto the ground for head coach Zane Roduner during the first day of practice for the Cobblers on March 20. Weather proved to the largest obstacle to start the season, forcing many practices indoors and canceling several early season games.
Rapid City Central's Shayna Weyer, center, jokes around with Raylee Jones, left, and Katie Crandall during the Cobblers game against Rapid City Stevens on May 2 at Parkview Softball Complex.
At center: Rapid City Central's Keera Taylor hugs Stevens' Summer Holway following their game on May 9 at Parkview Softball Complex. Taylor and Holway were both seniors for their respective teams who took part in the first season of sanctioned high school softball in South Dakota.
Rapid City Stevens' (from left) Summer Holway, Chloe Ohlsen and Tia Gease watch as freshman Sayde Hunt juggles softballs as they wait for individual pictures during photo day for the Raiders on March 21 in their indoor practice at the mall.
Rapid City Central seniors Shantel Anderson, left, and Jessica Chiolis watch the action during the Cobblers game against Sioux Falls Roosevelt on May 20 at Parkview Softball Complex.
The Rapid City Stevens Raiders, including Summer Holway, center, and Nieva Colicheski, right, have fun in the dugout during their final home game against Sturgis on May 18 at Parkview Softball Complex.
Rapid City Central's Shayna Weyer, center, jokes around with Raylee Jones, left, and Katie Crandall during the Cobblers game against Rapid City Stevens on May 2 at Parkview Softball Complex.
Rapid City Central's Maleah Saucerman, center, and Raylee Jones, right, dump buckets of softballs onto the ground for head coach Zane Roduner during the first day of practice for the Cobblers on March 20. Weather proved to the largest obstacle to start the season, forcing many practices indoors and canceling several early season games.
Rapid City Stevens' Tia Gease (5) celebrates a catch with teammate Joslyn Johnson during the Raiders game against the Cobblers on May 2 at Parkview Softball Complex.
