POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team split a double header at Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-0 in game 1 and winning 11-6 in the second game. The Bengals are 27-21 and 13-4 in Big Sky Conference play while Sac State is 7-7 in conference and 22-19 overall. The Bengals need to win the final game of the series on Sunday to host the conference tournament. Game time is at 1 p.m. (MST).
“We have to love the struggle right now,” Idaho State coach
Julie Wright said. “I'm proud of our fight. We are in a great place and we are excited for tomorrow.”
Vicky Galasso led the Bengal offense on the day by going 4-7 with two RBI.
Katee Wiley had five RBI, including a grand slam in the first inning of the second-game.
Amanda Fitzsimmons also had two hits, one being a homerun.
In the circle, Fitzsimmons earned the win in game 2 by pitching five innings, allowing six hits, four runs and striking out seven.
Haley Douglas pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three hits, two runs and four walks and
Bailey Foster got the last out of the game. In game 1,
Kelsi Ott took the loss, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing hits, one run and striking out three. Fitzsimmons pitched the final 1.2 innings and allowed one hit and one run while striking out three.
Idaho State was held to two hits in the game 1 loss and the Hornets scored a run in the first and sixth innings.
In nightcap, Idaho State had 12 hits, led by two hits from Fitzsimmons, Galasso, Wiley and
Katelyn Marquez. Fitzsimmons scored three runs and had one RBI while Galasso had two RBI and Marquez scored two runs.
In the game 2 win, ISU put a five spot on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Fitzsimmons led off the inning by getting on base due to a Sacramento State error. Marquez then reached on an infield single and with one out
Terah Blackwell walked to load the bases.
Maddy Hickman was then hit by a pitch to score Fitzsimmons. With two outs, Wiley hit her grand slam to give the Bengals the 5-0 lead.
ISU extended the lead 6-0 when Galasso singled home Fitzsimmons. Idaho State took an 8-0 lead after atwo runs in the third. Idaho State led 8-1 after three innings and 8-4 after five innings. ISU scored two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to put the game away.
Log onto isubengals.com to follow Sunday's softball game.
