CEDAR CITY, Utah – Every inning had a tally in the Idaho State column with three of those being large crooked numbers as the Bengals powered past Southern Utah 13-4 to sweep the three-game series and improve to 19-13 on the season and 5-1 in Big Sky Conference play.
Vicky Galasso continued to swing a hot bat hitting her fourth home run of the week in the first inning to get ISU on the board. In four games this week she finished 8-11 (.727) from the plate with six of those going for extra-bases while driving in ten runs. She added four walks to finish the four games with an on base percentage of .800.
"She is ridiculously good. She is focused and relaxed," Head Coach
Julie Wright said. "That has been what I have seen out of her this week. Sometimes they are pitching around her and she is being patient and taking the walk. When she gets a pitch she can handle she handles it. That is really her approach right now.
The MVP catcher also scored three runs in the game and finished (3-3) just a double short of the cycle.
"She is not missing pitches she can hit," Wright said. "She knows she is going to get maybe one in at-bat if she's lucky so when she's getting that one she has been handling it."
The Bengals added to their early lead immediately after the Galasso first inning home run. Hayley Breakwell singled to left field and
Maddy Hickman followed with a long shot of her own to help ISU seize the 4-0 advantage after one frame.
The visitors extended the lead to seven in the second inning when three runs scored off a SUU error. Then they put the game out of reach in the third, tallying four more on RBI from
Kacie Burnett and Galasso.
Eight different players collected a hit in the game including five who finished with multiple.
"The approach has been very businesslike but also relaxed and fun," Wright said of the Bengal offense. "It's (a mentality of) this is how we work, this is how we do things. That's a very fun approach. This team really trusts their preparation. They believe in each other and they are enjoying the game."
Gabby Lopez posted her third consecutive game with a hit. She finished the series against Southern Utah 4-8 from the plate with four RBI and five runs scored.
"She (Lopez) really impressed me this weekend," Wright said. "I was really proud of her approach and the way she is performing right now especially because she is helping other hitters in the dugout. The two-spot (in the lineup) is a new place for her. We just put her there against Utah State earlier this week. She is doing a really nice job there and really excelled there. I am really proud of her efforts."
Idaho State returns home Friday April 3 and Saturday April 4 for a weekend conference series against Weber State. The Bengals played the first 33 games on the road.
"We can't wait to be home to sleep in our own beds and be in front of our fans," Wright said.
First pitch for the Friday double-header against the Wildcats is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Miller Ranch Stadium.
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