Akayla Barnard is a do-it-all Jackrabbit with real middle-of-the-order pop
In the 2026 season, Akayla Barnard emerged as one of South Dakota State’s biggest difference-makers, batting .324 with 17 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a program-record 54 runs scored while also earning Second Team all-league honors[5]. She’s valuable because she impacts games in multiple ways: power at the plate, run production, and enough two-way versatility to work in the outfield or the circle[1][3]. The takeaway: if a team wants a high-motor, high-impact player who can change a game fast and bring reliable production, Barnard looks like a strong fit[5].
