POCATELLO, Idaho - A day after a dominant doubleheader sweep, Idaho State softball came up just short in Saturday's series finale with the Hornets, falling 2-1 to Sacramento State at Shea Stadium. The Bengals (21-13, 2-1 Big Sky) rallied multiple times and put the tying run aboard in the final frame but couldn't find the clutch hit, dropping their first conference game of the season.
Both Hornet runs came early, an RBI single in the first opened the scoring, and a pair of errant pitches in the second allowed another run to cross, putting Idaho State in an early 2-0 hole.
The Bengals answered in the third when Camryn McDonald sparked the offense with a leadoff triple and Gracie Smith followed with an RBI double to the gap. But despite loading the bases later that inning, ISU couldn't push across another run.
Smith finished 2-for-4 with the lone RBI, while McDonald added her second extra-base hit of the weekend. Kennedy Dudley also continued her hot streak at the plate with a 2-for-3 day.
In the circle, Junior Riley Wickum (3-3) made the start but was lifted after two innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. Sophomore Lizzy Tommasini was outstanding in relief, tossing four shutout innings while striking out five and allowing just four hits.
The Bengals return home with the series win 2-1 over the Hornets.
Idaho State put up a strong showing over the three-game set at Sacramento State, and several Bengals stood out with eye-catching numbers on both sides of the ball.
At the Plate:
- Ava Brown was electric, leading the team with a scorching .500 batting average (4-for-8). The junior center fielder mashed two home runs, drove in six RBIs, scored four runs, and posted an eye-popping 1.250 slugging percentage.
- Gracie Smith continued her consistency at the top of the order, going 5-for-12 (.417) with four runs scored, two RBIs, and two stolen bases. She also added a double and didn't strike out once during the series.
- Kennedy Dudley was quietly clutch, hitting .444 (4-for-9) and driving in a pair of runs, providing key hits throughout the weekend.
- Alyssa Yee brought pressure on the basepaths and at the plate, scoring four runs and going 3-for-10 (.300) while swiping two bases.
In the Circle:
- Kasey Aguinaga tossed a complete-game shutout in Game 2, allowing seven hits but no runs over six innings. She struck out four and walked just one to improve to 10-5 on the year.
- Lizzy Tommasini provided dominant relief in two appearances, throwing 11 innings with just one earned run allowed and fanning nine. She finished the weekend with a 0.64 ERA and a .179 opponent batting average picking up the win in game one of the series.
Defensive Standouts:
- Idaho State committed just one error over 78 total chances, finishing with a .987 team fielding percentage.
- Dudley, Smith, Kearns, Quinn, Hogan, Brown, and Yee all recorded perfect 1.000 fielding percentages, combining for 66 putouts or assists with no miscues.
- Behind the plate, Jenna Kearns helped manage the pitching staff and contributed to a team double play, while the infield turned another key double play in Game 3 to keep the Hornets at bay.
Overall, the Bengals out-hit the Hornets 24-17 across the series, posted a 0.74 team ERA, and were a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts — an all-around effort that sets a strong tone for the Big Sky season ahead.
On Deck
Idaho State returns home to Miller Ranch this coming weekend as the Bengals welcome the Northern Colorado Bears to Pocatello for a pivotal Big Sky Softball series.
