ISU Goes 3-1 in Colorado State Classic

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team closed out the Colorado State Classic with a 3-1 record after beating Nebraska Omaha 9-1 in five innings and falling to Colorado State 8-6 on Sunday in Fort Collins, Colo.

The Bengals tallied 19 hits and six players had two hits or more. Ashlyn Ames was 4-7 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Katelyn Marquez was 3-5 with one run and Alex Portesi had three hits, scored two runs and had one RBI.

Kacie Burnett was 2-4. Reis Birkett and Micheala Taylor each had two hits. Birkett had one homer and six RBIs.

Sophie Slagle went 1-1 on the day, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, three runs, one walk and three strikeouts.

"We got out of the gate fast today and put pressure on our opponents," Idaho State coach Candi Letts said. "It was a successful weekend overall. We are improving from game to game in all aspects. It was disappointing that we fell short in the last game but we can take the positives and move forward to next weekend at Boise."

In Sunday's opener vs. Omaha, the Bengals led 1-0 after two innings. Omaha tied the game at one in the fourth inning but in the bottom of the fifth inning ISU sealed the victory with an eight-run inning.

The inning started with Sarah Hayes, Taylor and Marquez reaching base on infield singles. Burnett then walked with the bases loaded and Hickman walked again for the second run. Ames then singled home Marquez and Portesi followed with an RBI single to third base for the fifth run of the inning.

Birkett had an RBI and Ashley Morris had a two RBI double for the final runs of the game.

Against Colorado State, the Bengals trailed 2-1 after three innings. Hickman had an RBI single in the first inning and in the top of the fourth Birkett homered to left field to tie the game at two.

The Rams tallied four runs in the bottom of the fourth but ISU countered with a four run fifth inning to tie the game at six.

The Bengals opened the fifth inning with a back-to-back singles by Taylor and Marquez. Then with one out Hickman walked and Ames singled to left for the first run of the inning. The final three runs came on an RBI single by Birkett. Hickman, Ames and Portesi scored on the play due to a miscue in the field by CSU.

Colorado State scored two runs in the sixth inning to take the lead for good.

Idaho State returns to the field March 11-12 for two games against Boise State and one against Montana.