Softball Drops Two at No. 4 Oregon

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team dropped two games on the first day of the Oregon Invitational on Friday. The Bengals lost 5-3 to Pacific and 9-3 to No. 4 Oregon.

ISU had 14 hits on the day led by Kacie Burnett going 6-8 with two doubles and five RBIs. Sarah Hayes was 5-7 and scored three runs in the two games.

Ashlyn Ames took the loss against Pacific and Mariah Mulcahy took the loss against Oregon.

"We left too many opportunities on the field against Pacific that we wish we could have back," Idaho State coach Candi Letts said. "Against Oregon, we competed against a Top 5 team and did some good things. We out hit them and made them get us out." 
 
Against Oregon the Bengals out hit the fourth ranked team in the country 7-5. Burnett once against had three hits and two RBIs and Hayes had two hits and scored two runs.

Oregon led 2-0 after two innings. ISU got a run in the third. Hayes started the inning with a one-out infield single. After advancing to second on a wild pitch she scored on a two-out single to left field by Burnett.

Oregon would score seven runs on four hits in the bottom of the third to take a 9-1 lead. The Bengals weren't going to go away as it scored two runs on two hits in the fifth inning. The inning started with a single up the middle by Kelsey Breer. Later with two outs Jennie Murillo walked with two outs after Hayes reached base on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning. Burnett would single home the two runs with two outs for the final runs for the game for the Bengals.

Against, Pacific both teams had seven hits. Burnett was 3-4 with three RBIs.  Hayes had two hits while Alex Portesi and Emma Bordenkecher each had one hit.

 Ames went the distance in the circle, scattering seven hits, allowing five runs, walking three and striking out seven.

Idaho State led 1-0 after the first inning. Hayes singled up the middle to open the game and Haley Harrison reached on a fielder's choice. Harrison later scored when Burnett doubled to left field.

Pacific would score five runs in the top of the second inning to take a 5-1 lead. ISU added a run in the fifth inning on another double by Burnett. Breer led off the inning with a walk and she advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hayes. Then with two outs, Burnett drove in Breer on a double down the left field line.

The Bengals had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Hayes singled to left field and Harrison was hit by a pitch. Burnett drove in Hayes on a single up the middle but the last two ISU batters hit into fielder's choice, ending the rally.
 
Idaho State plays Hofstra and No. 4 Oregon Saturday.

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