Jefferson softball moves to 5-0 in defense of Class AA state title

Jefferson softball moves to 5-0 in defense of Class AA state title

Defending a state championship is never easy, but the Sioux Falls Jefferson softball team is off to as good a start as it could ask for. The Cavaliers are 5-0 after a pair of dominant wins on Friday, April 17, and have a few big matchups lined up soon.

Jefferson is doing it on both sides of the ball, with the pitching tandem of Tya Devericks and Makenzie Bierman allowing five runs in as many games and the offense posting 53 runs and three games in double figures.

That balance was on display Friday, with the Cavaliers beating Eden Prairie (MN) 5-2 and St. Louis Park (MN) 16-0. Devericks punched out 11 batters in the first game and Macy Bryant hit for the cycle in the second.

"The girls just continue to build on what we've done, but we're here now and this is a new team and we're playing for the 2026 season," Jefferson head coach Ed Whiting said.

Pitching has been a staple for this program in the three years softball has been a sanctioned sport in South Dakota. Even with Whitney Portner having graduated, Whiting still feels the tandem of Devericks and Bierman is tops in the state.

"We had three of the top pitchers in the state," Whiting said. "Mak Bierman, she's a quality pitcher and in a lot of programs she'd be an ace as a freshman a year ago. But she came in relief a couple times for us."

He attributed that partially to pitching development within the program, and partially to the girls taking it upon themselves to be the best they can be.

The offense has looked as potent as ever at times this year, and that can help turn Jefferson from a fourth-seeded state champion to a powerhouse that's on top all season.

Bryant feels a lot of that can be attributed to the team's cohesion and will to win.

"We put in all the effort at practice and we have a good relationship with everybody," Bryant said.

Whiting knows his girls are the hunted now after winning a state title in 2025, but thinks they're handling it well so far. The Cavaliers have a statement win over Harrisburg to begin the season and are solely focused on what the 2026 team can do.

"That pressure's really not there because we drive in that this is a new year," Whiting said. "A lot of girls are back, but it's a new year with some new faces. What happened last year truly doesn't matter."

Jefferson has some big-time spots coming up, with a state championship rematch with Sioux Falls Washington coming on Thursday, April 23. That's followed by a game against Sioux Falls Lincoln and a tournament at Sherman Park. The Cavaliers will be tested and know how good they really are by the time the postseason rolls around.

"I think we're confident but humble," Bryant said. "We're all excited to just play and see how it goes."

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Jefferson softball moves to 5-0 in defense of Class AA state title