Galasso Home Run Lifts ISU to 4-2 Victory over Louisiana Monroe

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- Vicky Galasso hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to lift Idaho State to a 4-2 win over Louisiana Monroe on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. The Bengals are 9-10 while ULM dropped to 14-6.

Galasso's game-winning home run capped off an impressive weekend in Las Vegas where she hit .667 (10-for-15) with three home runs and nine RBIs. Galasso accounted for three of the Bengals' seven hits to go along with three RBIs in Sunday's victory.

"Big time players make big time plays," Idaho State coach Julie Wright said. "She took the game into her hands and won it."

Idaho State went 3-2 this weekend, beating Wisconsin, DePaul and Louisiana Monroe.

Bailey Foster led the Bengals in the circle, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing three hits, two runs and striking out one.

"That was the best game I have seen Bailey throw in her career," Wright said. "She was really impressive. She executed her pitches and really stayed in the moment."

 Ashlyn Ames retired the two batters she faced in the seventh inning to earn her first career save.

"She doesn't have the presence of a freshman," Wright said. "She is not scared of the moment. She did a great job executing her pitches when she was called upon."

ISU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Galasso scored off a ULM throwing error on a Dara Kolar at bat.

Louisiana Monroe scored two runs in the bottom half of the fourth but Galasso rallied the Bengals in the fifth with an RBI single that platted Sarah Hayes and then her two-run blast to center field in the seventh proved to be the winner.

ULM had two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out but Ames relieved Foster and got the second out on a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third with two outs. The game ended with Ames forcing Makenzie Miller into a ground out to third base.

Wright was also impressed with the defensive play of Hailey Breakwell at shortstop and Dara Kolar at third base.

On Breakwell, Wright said, "Hailey's defense is incredible. I don't know how to describe how good she is right now."

On Kolar, Wright said, "She has taken ownership of third base. She has worked so hard to put herself in a successful position and it is really showing. I have been really impressed with her."

Idaho State plays three games at Nevada, March 7-8. March 7 is a double header that starts at 1 p.m. and the single-game on March 8 also starts at 1 p.m.

Notes: Kacie Burnett's consecutive game streak of reaching base ended Sunday at 47 games.