Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
POCATELLO, Idaho- Amanda Fitzsimmons set the Idaho State single-season home run record and pitched 9.2 innings, earning two wins, to lead Idaho State to a 9-5 nine inning win and a 15-4 six inning win over Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., on Saturday afternoon. Fitzsimmons now has 13 home runs on the season, breaking Heather Dixon's record of 12 that was set in 2007. Idaho State is now 19-18 and 6-2 in Big Sky Conference play.
For the day, Idaho State hit .440, recorded 33 hits, had six home runs and 23 RBI.
“Amanda was tremendous today,” Idaho State coach
Julie Wright said. “What a big day setting the single-season home run record and pitching as well as she did. Our offense was incredible and our energy was intense. I was very proud of our focus today. It was a great team day.”
Vicky Galasso was 7-10 on the day to lead the ISU offensive attack.
Maddy Hickman was 4-6 with two runs, two home runs and six RBI and
Becky Molyneaux was 4-7 with two runs scored.
Katee Wiley had three hits and four RBI,
Terah Blackwell three hits and four RBI, Fitzsimmons had three hits, two being home runs and three RBI and
Courtney Dial hit a home run.
In the circle, Fitzsimmons allowed only six hits, gave up two runs and boasted a 1.45 era in 9.2 innings of work. Her most impressive performance came in the game 1 victory where she pitched the final 5.2 innings, allowed no hits and struck out eight.
Game 1
Idaho State 9 Northern Colorado 5 (9 innings)
After giving up four runs in the first inning and falling behind 5-2 after four innings, the Idaho State softball team rallied to send the game into extra innings and beat Northern Colorado, 9-5 in nine innings.
Idaho State scored its nine runs on 14 hits and was led by
Katelyn Marquez and Galasso each going 3-5. Galasso scored two runs and Marquez and an RBI and scored one run.
Hailey Breakwell was 2-5 with two runs scored and Wiley was 2-4 with three RBI and Hickman was 1-2 with three RBI and a home run.
Fitzsimmons earned the win by pitching the final 5.2 innings, allowing no hits and striking out eight.
Kelsi Ott pitched the first 3.2 innings and gave up eight hits and five runs.
With the score tied at five heading into the ninth inning, Galasso doubled to right-center with one out and Blackwell doubled home Galasso to give ISU the 6-5 lead. Hickman then hit her two-run home run and later in the inning Wiley singled home Breakwell, who reached base on an error for the final run.
Game 2
Idaho State 15 Northern Colorado 4 (6 innings)
The Bengals pounded out 19 hits in the win, led by two home runs from Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons tied the single-season home run mark in the second inning and set the record with a homer in the third.
Idaho State scored four runs in the first, one in the second and five in the third to lead 10-2 after three innings.
In the first inning, Marquez doubled down the left field line and Galasso doubled her home. Then after a Blackwell walk, Hickman hit a three-run home run to put ISU on top 4-0. Fitzsimmons hit her record tying home run on a lead-off shot in the second and in the third with one out, she homered to center field. Blackwell, Breakwell and Molyneaux all had RBI in the inning.
The Bengals had a five-run sixth inning to seal the victory. Dial and Blackwell both hit home runs in the inning.
The series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. with a single game. Idaho State then returns home for a three-game series at Miller Ranch Stadium against Big Sky Conference leader Portland State on April 20-21. Both days start at 1 p.m.
Notes:
Julie Wright picked up her 100 and 101st wins in her coaching career.
Vicky Galasso has an 18-game hitting streak and the school record is 19. Galasso and Fitzsimmons both have scored 36 runs this year and the school record is 38 by Chris Shoemaker in 1979. Galasso has 60 hits and the school record is 67 by Taylor Marchione in 2010.
We Are Your Bengals
