Pocatello, Idaho – Idaho State Softball (15-8) ended the inaugural Black and Orange Classic in winning fashion, taking down the Utah Utes 5-3 Monday afternoon at Direct Communications Field at Miller Ranch.
Andrew Rich and Rebecca Quinn Postgame
Headed into the fourth inning, the Utes were just suffocating the Bengals defensively, Idaho State didn't have a hit or a walk in the first 3 innings of the ballgame.
The Bengals kept their heads on their shoulders and didn't panic.
Cam McDonald kicked off the Bengals drawing a walk in the fourth, she was caught stealing and the Utes had one out and a 2-0 lead over the Bengals.
Alyssa Yee followed it up with a single to left, Ava Brown flied out to left field and the Bengals were down to 1 out in the 4th with just one of the basepaths.
Kennedy Dudley, singled to Left Center and the Bengals had two on. Gracie Smith smashed a single and the speedy Bengals took advantage with Alyssa Yee speeding home to cut the Ute Lead to 2-1.
Idaho State wasn't done yet. Olivia Robison next drew a walk and the Bengals had the bases loaded with two outs.
Up stepped Bengal freshman Rebecca Quinn to the plate. Quinn, in her first start as a Bengal, battled out with the Utah pitcher, narrowly staying alive after a dropped foul ball by the left fielder. The next pitch, the freshman connected with all of it, sending the ball over the left field wall for a grand slam.
The homerun was the first of Quinn's career and her first grand slam, putting the Bengals up 5-2 over the Utes.
Riley Wickum allowed just two runs in the 2nd and in relief Lizzy Tommasini allowed just one run in the win.
The Bengals hit the road again this week with games against BYU and Pacific.
