POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State softball (11-11, 0-0 BSC) split day one of the Silicon Valley Classic. The Bengals, in a double header with San Jose State, won the first game 2-1 and fell in the second 5-2.
"Haley and Emma Pitched two fantastic games," said Head Coach Andrew Rich. "This team is right there. We are in every game and that is all you can ask for. I am excited for us to take that next step and be able to play complete games every time out. That is when we will become a very scary team for our opponents to play."
Game 1 | Idaho State 2 – San Jose State 1
The Bengals opened the 2022 Silicon Valley Classic with a 2-1 win over San Jose State Friday afternoon in San Jose.
Haley Rainey controlled the game from the circle, facing 31 SJSU batters and striking out eight while only allowing seven hits and one run. This is the fifth game for Rainey with eight or more strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Bengal defense stepped up as a team. The Inning started with Rainey striking out the first batter. Then after a SJSU double and single, Angelica Cano got the groundout to give the Bengals two outs, but with runners on second and third.
The Bengals then intentionally walked the next SJSU batter to load the bases. With the winning run on second, Rainey went to work eventually forcing a grounder to second that Brook Richards gunned to Frankie Tago at first for the final out and the Bengal 2-1 victory.
Rheanne Lewis had three hits on four at bats to lead the Bengals. Isabella Hanson had two hits on three at bats and an RBI.
Game 2 | San Jose State 5 – Idaho State 2
The Bengals fell to the SJSU Spartans 5-2 in game two of its double header with San Jose State.
The Bengals took a 2-0 lead in the game off of Hanson and Morgan Hess RBIs and the team held the lead until the sixth inning with strong pitching by Emma McMurray and strong Bengal defense.
In an explosion of offense, the Spartans were able to score the five winning runs in the bottom of the sixth and hold onto the lead through the seventh, winning the contest 5-2.
McMurray pitched 5.1 innings facing 23 batters and only allowing four hits. Two runs were able to score on a Bengal error before Rainey came in as relief.
Offensively, Skylar Sethman went two-of-three to lead the Bengals. Hanson and Hess had RBIs.
Frankie Tago hit the fifth Bengal triple of the season to lead off the fourth inning.
On Deck
The Bengals continue the 2022 Silicon Valley Classic as they head to Santa Clara for a double header with the Santa Clara Broncos. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM MT.
Follow along at ISUBengals.com to keep up with the team and don't forget to follow along with the team on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
