Bengals Blank Hornets to Sweep Big Sky Opening Doubleheader

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State Softball opened the 2025 Big Sky Softball season with a pair of wins over Sacramento State at Shea Stadium in Sacramento, California, Friday afternoon.

"It was great to see the energy and the life back in our group and they had it from the jump today," remarked Head Coach Andrew Rich. "Lizzy was awesome in game 1 and Kasey followed that up with a great effort in game 2, it always starts with pitching. The offense strung hits together all day long and Ava provided some power in game 2. It's always good to secure a series on day 1, but now we need to bring the same energy and effort tomorrow to finish out the series."

Game One | ISU 7 - SAC 1

Idaho State softball opened Big Sky Conference play in dominant fashion Friday afternoon, rolling past Sacramento State 7-1 at Shea Stadium behind a balanced offensive attack and a complete-game gem from Lizzy Tommasini.

The Bengals (20-12, 1-0 Big Sky) broke open a 1-1 tie with a five-run third inning, taking full control and never looking back as they capitalized on timely hitting and Hornet miscues. Seven different ISU players recorded a hit, and the team did not commit a single error in the field.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second inning on a solo home run, Idaho State responded with relentless pressure in the third. Jenna Kearns drew a walk to start the rally, and a throwing error by Sacramento State pitcher Caroline Evans opened the floodgates. Gracie Smith drove in the tying run with a single up the middle, followed by RBI hits from Alyssa Yee, Ava Brown, and Olivia Robison. Kennedy Dudley capped the frame with a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1.

Yee, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, added to her strong day by stealing two bases and later scoring on Dudley's single in the fifth. A sixth-inning insurance run came courtesy of a Sacramento State error, allowing Rebecca Quinn to score.

Tommasini (5-4) was locked in from the circle, tossing a complete game three-hitter while striking out four and walking none. The only blemish on her day came from Malissa George's solo shot, but the senior right-hander settled in and retired 15 of the final 18 batters she faced.

Game 2 | ISU 9 - SAC 0

Idaho State softball made it a statement sweep on Friday, shutting out Sacramento State 9-0 in Game 2 of their Big Sky doubleheader at Shea Stadium. Behind a dominant performance from Junior Kasey Aguinaga and a day from center fielder Ava Brown, the Bengals improved to 21-12 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Brown torched the Hornets with two home runs and five RBIs, including a towering three-run shot in the sixth that effectively sealed the deal. She reached base in all four of her plate appearances, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Her second-inning blast to center scored Camryn McDonald and gave ISU a commanding 4-0 lead.

Idaho State's offense kept the pressure on all afternoon, scoring in four of six innings and racking up 11 hits. Olivia Robison went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a clutch two-run single in the fourth. Gracie Smith continued her aggressive baserunning with two more stolen bases and crossed the plate three times.

In the circle, Aguinaga (10-5) was lights out. The right-hander scattered seven hits over six shutout innings, struck out four, and didn't walk a batter until the third. She worked efficiently, tossing just 78 pitches and stranding eight Hornet baserunners..

The Bengals backed up their earlier 7-1 victory with a complete team effort, showcasing their offensive depth and pitching strength. They'll look to complete the sweep tomorrow in Sacramento.

Bengal Bites

• Ava Brown is now in sole possession of 4th all-time in single-season home runs with 14 in 2025 so far. She needs 16 to move to 3rd. 

• Gracie Smith is still perfect in the baserunning this season, going 13-for-13 in stolen bases with two more against the Hornets in game two. 

• Kasey Aguinaga threw the 2nd shutout of the season for the Bengals in the 9-0 win over the Hornets, Kasey also has the first shutout of the year, a 5-0 win over Texas State. 

• The Bengals improve to 31-14 over the Hornets and looks to complete the Sweep tomorrow. 

• The 9-0 shutout win was the first conference shutout since March, 27, 2024 when the Bengals defeated the Weber State Wildcats 8-0. 

On Deck

The Bengals and Hornets have one more tomorrow in Sacramento with first pitch set for 12:00 PM MT. The Bengals have secured the series win, but will be looking for the sweep over the conference foe.