POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State softball dropped its opening contests at the GCU purple Classic in Phoenix, AZ Friday evening.
The Bengals opened the day with a tough 4-3 loss to Cal State Fullerton in extra innings then the Bengals came back and lost a hard-fought game against Grand Canyon 7-3.
Game 1 | ISU vs Cal State Fullerton
The Bengals and the Cal State Fullerton Titans faced off in the first game of the GCU Purple Classic for the Bengals on Friday, February 18 in Phoenix, Az.
The first two innings of the game were a scoreless affair with both pitchers holding each of the teams hitless.
The Bengals broke the tie in the third scoring two runs on two hits. Freshman pitcher Haley Rainey held the lead through the 5th until the Titans tied the game back up.
Multiple times in the game, the Bengal defense held strong and left Titan runners stranded.
Seven innings wasn't enough as the teams remained tied and the game headed to extras.
The Bengals broke the tie first in the eighth, Isabella Hanson hit a sac fly to center and Angelica Cano came in to score making the game 3-2. In the bottom of the inning the Titans were able to tie the game back up and the two teams headed to the ninth.
After holding the Bengals in the top of the inning, the Titans were able to score in the bottom and end the game with the 4-3 win.
In the circle, Rainey allowed four runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts on 42 batters faced.
Rheanne Lewis and Franke Tago both had two hits
Game 2 | ISU vs GCU
Idaho State fell to the GCU Lopes 7-3 Friday night.
The Bengals opened up the game with Mailee Newman's first home run of the season, a two-run blast that cleared the left field wall.
The Lopes were able to tie it up in the bottom of the inning and the two teams remained until GCU hit a homerun in the 4th to take a 3-2 lead.
The Lopes would follow it up with a four-run fourth inning to take a 7-2 lead until the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, Newman hit a single to right and brought home Angelica Cano to make it 7-3 GCU. The Lopes were able close out the inning and secure the 7-3 win.
Emma McMurray in two innings pitched had two runs on three hits with a strikeout. Coming in after her, Mareena Ramirez allowed five runs and five hits in three innings pitched.
Newman closed out the game in the circle and in one inning allowed one hit and no runs.
Cano scored two runs on two hits and Newman led the team with three hits on four at bats.
Looking Ahead
The Bengals return to the diamond at noon tomorrow to take on Santa Clara Broncos before facing the Cal State Fullerton Titans again in game two.
