POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals continued their hot streak in California sweeping their doubleheader with California Baptist University.
The Bengals improve to 5-0 on the season and have one more game on this trip in California
Postgame Remarks
"I am very proud of how our team ground out a couple wins today," remarked Head Coach Andrew Rich postgame. "We faced a very solid pitching staff from CBU and we found a way to put together enough offense to give ourselves a chance. Our pitchers threw great all day. Watching two freshmen close out both wins is very exciting.
Today was a complete team effort. It took everyone to pull those ones out. This team has a really special connection and it's fun to see them in action."
How it Happened
Game 1 ISU 4 – CBU 3 (8 INN)
The Bengals ground out a game-one win in extra innings Saturday afternoon in Riverside.
ISU took an early lead to start the game. Angelica Cano doubled to right center and after an Alyssa Yee walk, advanced to third. Kate Hogan then hit an RBI single to short to score Cano and take a 1-0 lead.
Both defenses held strong for two more innings before, CBU took the lead off of a two-run home run.
In the top of the 5th, the Bengals tied the game as Hogan crossed the plate during a throwdown.
Neither team could break the stalemate and the game went to extras. In the top of the eighth, Ava Brown hit a sac fly to center field scoring Kennedy Dudley. The Bengals then added security with a Skyler Sethman RBI Double. Headed to the bottom of the inning the Bengals led 4-2.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Lancers were able to score one run, but the Bengal infielders took care of the final batter, securing the groundout and the Bengals'- 4-3 victory.
Taylor Fitzgerald and Lizzy Tommasini both pitched four innings for the Bengals. The ISU pitchers combined to only allow five hits and two walks in the game. Tommasini earned her first collegiate win closing out the game in the final four innings of the game.
Game 2 ISU 3 – CBU 2
The Bengals wasted no time getting started in Game two vs CBU. On her first at bat, Alyssa Yee hit a homerun over the left field wall, her first of the season, giving the Bengals a 1-0 lead.
Both defenses buckled down for the next three innings and held one another scoreless until the fourth when the Lancers tied the game at 1-1
The Bengals immediately responded the next inning with a Gracie Smith RBI single scoring Sethman.
The next inning, Yee hit her 2nd extra-base hit of the game, a double to right center, scoring Cano to extend the Bengal's lead to 3-1.
The Bengal defense held off the Lancers comeback attempt and the Bengals won game two 3-2.
Riley Wickum picked up the win to go move up to 2-0 on the season, allowing five hits and two runs with no walks allowed and three strikeouts.
Notes-
· The 5-0 Start for Idaho State ties the all-time best start for a Bengal team. The previous record is also held by the 2014 Big Sky Championship team
· The Bengals outhit the Lancers 16-10 with a .254 batting average. Alyssa Yee led the team wth three hits and two RBIs.
· In two games the Bengal ptching staff only allowed two walks while forcing 45 putouts.
On Deck
The Orange and Black conclude the 2024 LaJolla Invitational Sunday morning with a single game against Fairleigh Dickinson at 10:00 AM MT.
