Bengals Sweep Opening Day at Colorado State

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team won its fourth straight game by sweeping the first day of the Colorado State Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. ISU beat Nebraska Omaha 4-2 and then scored seven runs in the sixth and two in the seventh to beat Colorado State 11-7.

The Bengals had 23 hits and Kacie Burnett led the attack by going 7-8 with one RBI and four runs scored. She was a perfect 3-3 stealing bases.

Micheala Taylor had five hits, two RBIs and two runs. Alex Portesi was 3-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Maddy Hickman had three hits, scored two runs, had one home run and tallied four RBIs. Ashley Morris Had two hits while Dara Kolar, Sarah Hayes and Katelyn Marquez each had one hit.

Sophie Slagle and Ashlyn Ames led the Bengal pitching staff. Mulcahy earned the win against Omaha, going seven innings, allowing five hits, four walks, two runs (one earned) and five strike outs. Slagle went the distance against Colorado State, scattering seven hits and allowing six walks and striking out two.

"The team played relaxed and confident in every phase of the game today," Idaho State coach Candi Letts said. "We had consistent pitching, stingy defense and clutch hitting. We played with an air of confidence that allows this team to put the pressure on our opponents."  

ISU pounded out 10 hits, led by a 3-for-3 day from Burnett in the victory over Omaha.

Taylor was 2-4, Hickman was 2-3 with two RBIs and one run scored and Portesi was 2-3 with one run and one RBI. Morris was 1-3 with one RBI.

ISU never trailed in the game and opened with a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The Bengals loaded the bases in the first inning and scored when Portesi walked with the bases loaded.

Omaha tied the game at one in the third inning but ISU rallied with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Portesi led off the fourth inning with a double to left field and she later scored on an infield single by Morris.

Burnett opened the fifth inning with a single to centerfield and she later scored when Hickman hit a two-run homer over the center field fence.

Omaha had a run in the sixth inning but Mulcahy and the Idaho State defense kepts Nebraska Omaha at bay.

Against the Rams, the Bengals trailed 3-1 after two winnings. ISU scored a run in the third when Hickman singled down the right side, driving in Burnett, who reached base on a single to left field.

Idaho State took the lead in the sixth inning by scoring seven runs and taking advantage of two CSU miscues in the field. Portesi opened the inning by reaching base on an error. After a fielder's choice by Kolar, Morris reached on an infield bunt and Hayes singled to second base. Taylor then drove in the first two runs of the inning on a single to left field and Burnett drove in the third run of the inning on an infield single. Hickman walked in the fourth run when she reached base with the bases loaded.

ISU's final runs of the inning came when being walked with the bases loaded. Marquez homered to right field in the seventh inning for the final two ISU runs of the game.

Burnett was 4-5 with one RBI and two runs scored and Taylor was 3-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.