POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State softball came up just short, falling 2-1, to Grand Canyon on the final day of the 2022 GCU Purple Classic in Phoenix, Az.
The game was highlighted by a pitching battle as ISU freshman Haley Rainey threw a four-hitter over six innings pitched. Rainey struck out five lopes and only gave up one walk.
Through two innings, the game remained scoreless. In the third, the Lopes were able to get two runs on the board and held onto the lead for the remainder of the game.
The Bengals didn't back down though continuing to battle through the remainder holding the Lopes scoreless for the remainder of the game.
The Bengals had some stellar play in the outfield, Rheanne Lewis playing center snagged a hard-hit ball at the top of the fence holding off a GCU homerun and pulled off an 8-3 double-play.
In the top of the sixth, Angelica Cano came up to bat and hit a solo home run over the right field wall, her second home run in as many days, pulling the Bengals to within one.
The Bengals were able to put the tying run on base but GCU closed out the seventh and took the 2-1 victory over the Bengals.
Tournament Wrap-up
The Bengals went 1-4 this weekend with a win against Big West Conference preseason favorite Cal State Fullerton Titans.
Bengal freshman Gracie Smith led the team in batting average this weekend hitting .429 in four games played. In seven at bats, Smith had three hits and one RBI.
Angelica Cano finished with a SLG of .733, scoring six runs on five hits with two homeruns. Piper Tago and Isabella Hanson also tacked on home runs this weekend.
After the weekend, Lewis is now ranked no. 2 in the conference with a season .444 batting average. Smith is just behind Lewis at No. 3 with a .444 average through seven games played.
Haley Rainey led the Bengals in the circle this weekend, finishing with a 2.60 ERA and a 1-2 record. Rainey had 17 strikeouts and allowed 12 hits. Rainey is ranked no. 2 in the conference in strikeouts with 35.
Lewis and Cano are tied for No.1 in runs scored in the conference with 11 each. Cano is tied for 2nd in the conference with three home runs.
Lewis is now tied for No. 1 in the conference with Maddie Thompson from Portland State with 16 hits on the season. Lewis also leads the Big Sky in triples with two.
Looking Ahead
The Bengals head to California this next week to take on the Santa Barbara Tournament. The Orange and Black will face off against UC Santa Barbara, Providence and Boise State Feb. 24-26.
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