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POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team has never missed the Big Sky Conference tournament since the sport was added in 2013. While it took until the last game of the regular season in 2017 for ISU's berth to be decided, the Bengals will go into this year's Big Sky Conference tournament as the No. 6 seed after taking two of three from Northern Colorado this weekend in Greeley.
The Bengals clinched the series and the tournament berth by beating UNC 9-3 on Saturday afternoon.
ISU had 14 hits on the day led by three from
Sarah Hayes,
Kacie Burnett and
Haley Harrison. Harrison was 3-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
Ashlyn Ames earned the win in the circle by pitching a complete game, allowing nine hits, three walks and striking out three.
"We knew it was going to be a battle," Idaho State coach
Candi Letts said. "We scored early to put pressure on them and that was the difference. Now the second season starts and we have an opportunity."
The Bengals were in control from the opening pitch as they scored three runs in the first inning and four in the top of the third to lead 7-0.
In the first inning, Hayes led off with an infield single and then Ames walked with one out. Later in the inning with two outs, Portesi singled and advanced to second on an error, allowing Hayes to score. Harrison then smacked a two-RBI double to left field for the final two runs of the inning.
In the third inning, Burnett led off with a double and then was driven in by Ames who doubled to left field. Portesi would then reach base on an error, allowing Ames to score and then Harrison hit a two-run homer to left-center.
Northern Colorado scored two runs in the bottom of the third. Idaho State added a run in the fifth inning. Harrison led off with a double to left field and she would later score on a
Shayna Dahlen single.
Northern Colorado scored a run in the sixth but ISU countered in the top of the seventh when
Aubrey Creekmore homered to left field.
Idaho State plays at Weber State in the Big Sky Conference tournament May 11-13. The No. 6 seed Bengals play No. 3 seed Sacramento State on May 11 at 12 p.m.
Weber State is the No. 1 seed, Montana two seed, Sacramento State three seed, Southern Utah four seed and North Dakota five seed.
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