Bengals Take Two From Portland State

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The pitching duo of Sophie Slagle and Ashlyn Ames held Portland State to three hits in two games to spark the Idaho State softball team to two 8-0 five inning wins. The Bengals are now 24-14 overall and 9-2 in Big Sky Conference play. Portland State dropped to 10-29 and 3-8 in league.

Slagle earned the game 1 win by allowing two hits, striking out three and walking four in the five-inning shutout. Ames allowed only one hit while striking out two and walking two.

"To give up three hits in two games is great," Idaho State coach Julie Wright said. "We handled some really good hitters, especially in the middle of their lineup. I was really pleased with Sophie and Ashlyn. They were throwing great today."

The Bengal offense was just as effective as they combined for 17 hits in the two games. Vicky Galasso was 4-5 with two home runs, five RBIs, one double and two runs scored.

"Vicky Galasso is ridiculous," Wright said. "She is seeking pitches that she can handle and she is handling them. That is the mark of a really great hitter. I thought we strung some hits together and did some great situational stuff which I thought was key. It was a very complete two games for us today."

Gabby Lopez was 3-5 with four RBIs and two doubles and Sarah Hayes was 3-4.

"Ever since we vaulted her in the lineup she has been playing really well," Wright said on Lopez. "I wish I would have done that earlier in the season. She has done a really good job. She understands how to pull a ball when she needs to. She is playing out of her mind right now and playing like a senior should."

Ashlyn Ames was 2-3 and she hit her first home run of her young career in game 1. Kacie Burnett was 2-4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored.

Idaho State 8 Portland State 0 (Game 1)
ISU wasted no time taking an early lead. The Bengals scored two runs in the first inning and never looked back. After a leadoff walk by Burnett, she would score a batter later when Lopez double to right field. Lopez later scored on a two-out sacrifice RBI by Maddy Hickman.

The Bengals put another three runs on the board in the second inning. Ames started the inning with a homer to left field.

"She earned it," Wright said. "She has been working hard in practice and having better rounds in batting practice."

With two outs Lopez hit another RBI double that scored Hayes and Galasso had a two-out RBI double to round out the second inning scoring.

The Bengals added three runs in the fourth inning. Burnett had a two-RBI double to center field and she would later score on a passed ball.

Idaho State 8 Portland State 0 (Game 2)
The Bengals had a six-run second inning to blow the game open. The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI single from Lopez and a three-run homer by Galasso. ISU added a run in the third inning and Galasso would hit a solo-homer in the fourth.

Idaho State concludes the three-game series with the Vikings on Saturday at 1 p.m. Admission is free. Following the game there will be a free kids clinic for all elementary school aged kids and younger. Those participating should wait behind the ISU dugout after the game and ISU coach Julie Wright will come out and bring everybody onto the field.

Notes: Vicky Galasso is now tied with Terah Blackwell for the school record for most doubles with 41.