ISU Takes Down SUU 14-3 in Big Sky Conference Tournament Opener

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POCATELLO, Idaho- There is no panic in the Idaho State softball team. After falling behind 3-1 in the top of the second , ISU scored six runs in the bottom half of the inning and then four in the fourth and five in the fifth to beat Southern Utah 14-3 in five innings.

ISU had 15 hits led by Kacie Burnett's 3-4 afternoon. Nine different Bengals had hits in the game. Vicky Galasso was 2-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored. She hit her 19th home run of the season. Hailey Breakwell was 2-4 with three RBIs and Ashlyn Ames was 2-4. Ames ended the game in the fifth with a grand slam.

"The offense does a really good job of working together," Idaho State coach Julie Wright said. "We are in a 'so what mode.' So what is you didn't get it done because the person behind you will. It's been a great theme for the offense. It relaxes them."

Sophie Slagle pitched a complete game, scattering four hits and allowing three runs, four walks while tying her season-high in strikeouts with nine.

"Sophie started to groove after the first inning," Wright said. "She kept us close there, which is really all we need to stay in the game. Sophie is so competitive and so hard on herself, I was really proud of her. Once we got through the first inning she rocked."

Southern Utah jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning but the Bengals answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Burnett led off with a double to right field and Galasso proceeded to double her home.

After the T-Birds scored two runs in the top of the second, the Bengals rallied with six runs on five hits in the bottom half of the inning. All six runs came with two outs. With Sarah Hayes on first, Burnett singled up the middle and Galasso walked to load the bases.

Gabby Lopez drove in the first run of the inning on a single to center field and Breakwell followed with a bases-clearing double to put ISU back on top.

"Hailey Breakwell could have been player of the year this year," Wright said. "She is competitive and an amazing young lady. She is always consistent and steady. She doesn't let things get to her."

Hickman also hit a two-run homer in the inning.

Galasso led off the fourth inning with homer to left field and Katelyn Marquez had an RBI single later in the inning.

"I thought we played well," Wright said. "I thought our hitters did a tremendous job. Even some of our miss hits were great pitches to swing at. I was really pleased with that because that's something we have been working on."

Lopez drove in the first run of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly to left field. Later in the inning with the bases loaded Ames ended the game with her grand slam.

Idaho State plays the winner of the Weber State and Sacramento State game. That game was delayed due to rain and the two teams will continue the contest where it left off at 10 a.m. with Weber State leading Sacramento State 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Idaho State will play the winner 30 minutes after the completion of that  contest. There will only be 30 minute breaks between all games tomorrow.

"It was ridiculously important to get that first win," Wright said. "You have to stay in the winner's bracket because it is so hard to battle in that championship series."