POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State softball completed the series sweep of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds Saturday afternoon in Cedar City, Utah. The Bengals (22-21, 6-6 BSC) defeated SUU 7-5 taking advantage of four Thunderbird errors.
" It's great to get a series sweep," remarked Head Coach Andrew Rich. "Anytime you can sweep an opponent it's a big deal. We didn't play our best softball this weekend but I am extremely proud of our group for finding ways to win.
Haley Rainey was fantastic today in the circle. Coming in in relief and throwing 6 strong innings and holding things down was great to see from her.
We are looking forward to our senior weekend next weekend and we've got a really quality opponent coming in with Portland State."
SUU took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning and held the lead through the third.
In the top of the third the Bengals took advantage of three consecutive errors by the Thunderbirds to tie the game.
Rheanne Lewis, Brook Richards, Angelica Cano all scored on errors. Richards and Cano scored on back to back wild pitches by the SUU pitcher.
After tying the game 3-3, Morgan Hess hammered a single up the middle of the field bringing home Frankie Tago. Kaylee Butterworth then took home on a throwing error by the catcher and the Bengals led 5-3.
Piper Tago hit a sac fly to center field, bringing home Hess and at the end of the third, the Bengals held a 6-3 lead over the Tbirds.
The Tbirds put another run on the board in the fourth to cut the lead to one at 6-5.
After loading the bases in the fifth, Skylar Sethman was hit by a pitch giving the Bengals some breathing room and a 7-5 lead. Af
The Bengal defense took care of business in the final two innings. At the end of the seventh after SUU put a runner on with one out. The Bengals turned a double play from Cano to Tago to end the game and secure the series sweep for the Orange and Black.
After the first inning, Haley Rainey came into pitch as relief for Mareena Ramirez. Rainey allowed two runs in six innings pitched with only two walks allowed and fanned six SUU pitchers.
Lewis had two of the Bengals three hits and Hess tacked on one hit with two RBIs.
On Deck
It's Senior weekend in Pocatello next week as the Bengals welcome Portland State to Miller Ranch for a three-game Big Sky series. First pitch is set for Friday, April 29 at 1:00 PM.
Follow along at ISUbengals.com to keep up to date with the team and don't forget to follow the Bengals on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
