Bengals Score Nine Runs in Two Innings to Take Down UVU 10-2

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team scored nine runs in two innings to beat Utah Valley University 10-2 in five innings on Tuesday afternoon at Miller Ranch Stadium. The win was the Bengals seventh straight and the fourth straight home win in five innings.

Sophie Slagle earned the win and improved to 14-6 by tossing the complete game, scattering five hits, four walks and striking out three.

"I don't think Sophie had her best day but Sophie battled and that is what we need," Idaho State coach Julie Wright said. "We are a pretty good on offense and really good on defense. When Sophie or any of our pitchers can keep us in it or hold it close we are usually in a really good position to win it in the end."

The Bengal offense had seven hits but took advantage of several UVU passed balls and wild pitches to take the lead.

Sarah Hayes led the ISU offense by going 2-3 with two RBIs. Kacie Burnett was 1-3 with two RBIs and Dara Kolar was 1-1 with a home run, two walks and two RBIs. Kolar played catcher on Tuesday while Galasso was moved to third base.

"Dara is a pretty good catcher and she is behind a really good catcher," Wright said. "I thought she did a really nice job. She did a nice job of handling Sophie and she had great at bats. I was really pleased with that."

UVU led 1-0 in the first inning but in the bottom of the second ISU tied it up on Kolar's one-out homer over the left-center fence.

The Wolverines took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning but the Bengals took the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning with a four run inning. ISU scored the four runs on only one hit as Kolar and Hailey Breakwell walked and Ashlyn Ames and Maddy Hickman were hit by a pitch. There was also a passed ball and wild pitch in the inning. Hayes did have a two-RBI single up the middle with two outs.

The five-run fifth inning for the Bengals started when Gabby Lopez led off with a two base error on the UVU left fielder. Then with one out Breakwell doubled home Lopez and Hickman followed with an RBI single to up the ISU lead. Taylor had an RBI single in the inning and the game ended with Burnett hitting a two-RBI single to left field.

Idaho State had six of its seven hits in the final two innings.

"We are tough when we get going and we are feisty on the bases," Wright said. "We have some tenacity out there. I was pleased with how aggressive we were."

Idaho State plays at Northern Colorado April 24-25.