Late Runs Help Bengals Spoil Home Opener for Griz

MISSOULA, Montana- Late runs on timely hitting helped the Idaho State softball team to a pair of victories (5-3 and 5-4) over Montana Saturday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Field.

The Bengals (16-12, 2-0) opened up Big Sky Conference play by spoiling the inaugural games at the brand new complex, coming from behind in each of the wins.

"Winning two games from behind is a testament to our veteran leadership," Head Coach Julie Wright said. "There was no panic, only focus."

Fueled by a crowd of 854 on hand to see the first game in program history, the home town Griz jumped out to an early 3-0 third inning lead on ISU pitcher Sophie Slagle. The junior would lock in and hold Montana scoreless for the next three innings to set the stage for the first comeback.

Idaho State got the first run back in the top of the fifth on a two-out sacrifice fly from Katelyn Marquez that scored Kacie Burnett.

Burnett finished the day 5-8 at the plate with a triple and four runs scored. She leads the Big Sky Conference in batting average (.489) and hits (46).

The Bengals then used a three-run sixth inning to take the lead capped off by a two-run home run from Maddy Hickman, her second of the season.

The visitors would add one more insurance run in the seventh and Bailey Foster recorded the final three outs for the save.

"Our defense played well as always and our pitchers kept it close," Wright said.

The second game of the afternoon twin-bill forced ISU into another come back situation. 

Trailing 4-3 going into the sixth inning, Idaho State's Dara Kolar drew a one-out walk and then came around to score the tying run on a triple from Sarah Hayes.

"Many people would call the hits late in the game as clutch but our approach is simply put a good swing on a good pitch always," Wright said.

The Bengals continued the momentum into the seventh when Vicky Galasso earned a walk, stole second base and then scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run on a double from Hailey Breakwell.

"Vicky Galasso played tremendous on both sides of the ball today," Wright said. "I was also really pleased with the offensive production of Micheala (Taylor), Maddy (Hickmann) and Sarah (Hayes) as well."

Galasso hit her conference leading tenth home run of the year while driving in her Big Sky best 37th run. She also raised her batting average to .400.

Ashlyn Ames (5-3) improved her record scattering ten hits over six innings while striking out five. Bailey Foster also recorded the save in the second game.

ISU will try to earn the series sweep Sunday afternoon when the two teams meet again.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.