POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State softball made a thunderous statement on Monday, sweeping a doubleheader against Montana with offensive fireworks and history-making performances at Miller Ranch Stadium. The Bengals routed the Grizzlies 17-8 in five innings in the opener and followed with a 9-4 win in game two to move to 31-13 on the season and 10-2 in Big Sky play.
Head Coach Andrew Rich's postgame remarks
Idaho State opened the doubleheader with an offensive showcase, overwhelming Montana in a 17-8 run-rule win in just five innings. The Bengals struck early and often, scoring six runs in the first inning and seven more in the second to put the game out of reach before Montana could respond.
The tone was set from the very first at-bat, as Gracie Smith led off with a solo home run to left. A single by Alyssa Yee and a walk to Olivia Robison loaded the bases for Kennedy Dudley, who delivered an RBI double to tie the game at 2-2. Then came the moment of the day: Jenna Kearns stepped to the plate and hammered a grand slam to center field, giving ISU a 6-2 lead and igniting the dugout.
Kearns wasn't done. In the second inning, after a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases again, she blasted a second home run, this one to left field, clearing the bases and pushing the Bengals ahead 12-6. The performance gave Kearns seven RBIs, tying the Idaho State single-game record, and gave her five home runs in her last five games.
The rest of the ISU lineup added firepower: Ava Brown and Camryn McDonald both homered in the third inning to extend the lead to 17-7, and Belle Navarrete added a solo shot in the same frame. Smith and Yee each reached base three times, combining for four runs scored.
Montana made noise offensively, scoring in each of the first three innings, including two home runs but couldn't keep pace. Lizzy Tommasini started in the circle but was relieved by Riley Wickum, who steadied the game with 3.1 innings of work, allowing just two earned runs and securing her sixth win of the year.
The 17-run explosion came on just nine hits, with ISU drawing 12 walks, a new Big Sky Conference single-game record.
Head Coach Andrew Rich reached the 100 game win milestone in his head coaching career with the win.
Game 2 | ISU 9 – UM 4
After Montana struck first with a solo home run by Kynzie Mohl in the second, the Bengals immediately answered in the home half. Camryn McDonald dropped down a bunt single and scored on an RBI double by Jenna Kearns. Brooke Peterson followed with a run-scoring single to center, and after a fielder's choice, Gracie Smith added a two-out single to extend the frame. Idaho State led 2–1 after two.
The Bengals opened things up in the third behind a towering solo home run to center by Ava Brown, her first of two of the game. Back-to-back hits from Kennedy Dudley and McDonald set the table again, and a steal of home by Dudley followed by another theft from McDonald quickly made it 5–1. Kearns added her second double of the day later in the game, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Montana attempted to claw back, but Idaho State responded with a knockout blow in the fifth. With two outs and runners on first and second, Belle Navarrete drilled a three-run home run to center, pushing the Bengals' lead to 8–3.
History was made in the 6th inning. With no other runners on, Ava Brown smashed what can only be described as a no-doubter home run, a towering bomb of a ball over the left field wall. The blast was Ava's 20th of the season, tying the Idaho State and Big Sky record. Brown now joins Bengal legends Vicky Galasso and Amanda Fitzsimmons atop the leader boards.
On the base paths, ISU created havoc—Smith stole two bases, increasing her single season mark to 19 stolen bases, 5th most in Idaho State single-season history. McDonald swiped three, including another steal of home. The Bengals also turned a double play and committed no errors on the day.
Aguinaga (14–5) went the distance in the circle, scattering 10 hits across seven innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out three. She worked around multiple scoring threats with efficient ground-ball outs and relied on timely defensive support.
Record Watch and Series Outlook
- Jenna Kearns tied the Idaho State record for RBIs in a single game (7)
- Ava Brown now shares the Idaho State and Big Sky record for most home runs in a season (18)
- Idaho State's 12 walks in Game 1 are a Big Sky single-game record
- The 17 runs against the Grizzlies are the most Montana has ever given up.
On Deck
The Bengals have one more home game of the 2025 season, it's senior day at Miller Ranch and the Bengals are playing for a sweep of the University of Montana. We will honor, Ashlee LaRue, Piper Tago, Kate Hogan and Gracie Smith at the conclusion of the game. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM MT.
