POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team defeated BYU 7-4 on Monday afternoon at Miller Ranch Stadium. It was the first win over the Cougars in 11 tries and dropped BYU to 24-12 while ISU improved to 6-28.
The Bengals were solid at the plate, out hitting BYU 10-9.
The Bengals rode the arm of
Amanda Fitzsimmons in the circle as she earned her fifth win of the season by tossing a complete game, scattering nine hits, allowing four runs and striking out two.
“I was most pleased with Amanda's effort and concentration,” Idaho State coach
Julie Wright said. “BYU can swing the bats. She put down a very good team. It took all the effort and heart to get that done. I was pleased with how she rebounded back from the inning that they scored on her. It was just huge.”
Fitzsimmons was also solid at the plate as she was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored.
“She has been a leader out front for us,” Wright said. “She is our captain. She is playing well on both sides of the ball. If we can follow that lead we will be ok.”
Along with Fitzsimmons,
Hailey Breakwell and
Vicky Galasso all had two hits. Becky Simonsen,
Courtney Dial,
Katee Wiley and
Shaundee Garrett also recorded hits Monday afternoon.
“I was also pleased with
Katee Wiley's at bats,” Wright said. “She did some great stuff offensively and that was great to see.”
What was even more impressive was how the Bengals responded when BYU tried to get back in the game. The defense came up with a nice stop or Fitzsimmons forced BYU into an out to get out of the inning.
“BYU is a very good team,” Wright said. “The last 10 games we have been close. We just haven't been able to put a W on the board but we have played well enough to win. I think every coach goes through a period where you do a lot of things well and you don't win. We just kept plugging away. I credit the team. They haven't let the lack of winning defeat them. They come out every day and they play hard. Today they were tremendous from pitch one to the end of the game. I was really excited for them.”
Idaho State never trailed and took command early with a two-run first inning. Simonsen walked to open the inning and after stealing second she was brought home by a Fitzsimmons double to center field. Fitzsimmons later scored on a throwing error by BYU with two outs.
ISU upped the lead to 3-0 in the third and then scored three in the bottom of the fourth to lead 6-0. Garrett started the inning with a walk and Simonsen singled to left field. Breakwell followed by loading the bases on a single up the middle. One out later with the bases still loaded,
Gabby Lopez walked to bring in Simonsen and Dial followed with a two-RBI single to center field.
BYU countered with three runs in the top of the fifth inning but thanks to another RBI double by Fitzsimmons in the bottom half of the inning, ISU extended the lead to 7-3.
BYU scored a run in the top of the sixth inning but the Bengal defense held strong to earn the victory.
“We have been working on improving our game mentally,” Wright said. “I was pleased with how we mentally battled today.”
Another aspect that the Bengal team was excited about was the crowd.
“We appreciate the support,” Wright said. “It was fun to see so many people in the outfield berm and in the bleachers. Our players notice the support and it means a lot to them. The support we received today makes Miller Ranch Stadium a great environment. We hope that has our fans continue to come out that they will cheer even louder than they did today. Our fan support is awesome.”
Idaho State plays at Weber State on April 13-14. The Bengals next home game is April 24 at 4 p.m. vs. Utah State.
