HILLSBORO, Ore. - Freshman pitcher Megan Meracle carved her name into Idaho State softball history Saturday afternoon, delivering the first perfect game in program history as the Bengals (34–15, 13–2 Big Sky) defeated Portland State (12–37, 5–9 Big Sky) by an emphatic 11–0 margin in five innings at Hillsboro Stadium.
Meracle was flawless, facing 15 batters and retiring them all without allowing a hit, walk, or error. She struck out six Vikings and induced a masterclass of defensive execution, punctuating Idaho State's historic regular-season finale.
The offense roared to life behind her, plating 11 runs on 10 hits across four innings of scoring.
Play-by-Play: Every Bengal Run Scored
Top of the 1st:
Top of the 2nd:
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Smith walked and moved to second.
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Brown smashed a double to left center, driving in Smith (4–0).
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Moments later, Brown scored from third on a wild pitch during Kennedy Dudley's at-bat (5–0).
Top of the 3rd:
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Camryn McDonald and Peterson opened the inning with back-to-back singles.
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Kate Hogan laid down a bunt single to load the bases.
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After a fielder's choice, Alyssa Yee blasted a towering grand slam to left field, scoring Peterson, Hogan, and Gracie Smith ahead of her (9–0).
Top of the 4th:
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Kearns doubled to right.
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McDonald followed with an RBI double to left center, scoring Kearns (10–0).
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After loading the bases, Yee reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing McDonald to score the 11th and final run (11–0).
Play-by-Play: Every Defensive Out in the Perfect Game
Bottom of the 1st:
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Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung struck out swinging.
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Ellie Babbitt flied out to left.
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Lorraine Alo grounded out to third base.
Bottom of the 2nd:
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Natalia Martinez struck out swinging.
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Jade Henry struck out swinging.
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Alapese Matautia struck out swinging.
Bottom of the 3rd:
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Neveah Smith flied out to left field.
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Alison Harris fouled out to third base.
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Grace Johnson flied out to center field.
Bottom of the 4th:
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Nakoa-Chung grounded out to shortstop.
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Babbitt grounded out to shortstop.
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Alo flied out to right field.
Bottom of the 5th:
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Martinez struck out swinging.
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Henry flied out to right field.
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Matautia struck out swinging — clinching the perfect game.
A Game for the Ages
Meracle threw just 66 pitches to complete the perfect outing, recording six strikeouts, six flyouts, and three groundouts. Idaho State's defense was flawless behind her, and the Bengals' offense ensured there was no doubt from the start.
The Bengals finish the Big Sky regular season with a commanding 13–2 conference record, poised with momentum heading into the postseason — and with a historic achievement forever etched in program history.
Bengals vs Vikings Series
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Camryn McDonald was electric, hitting .500 (4-for-8) with a double and two stolen bases, while scoring twice.
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Ava Brown flexed her power, smashing three home runs and driving in four RBIs, compiling a series-best 1.400 slugging percentage. On three straight at bats on day one of ther series, Brown hit three-straigh homeruns.
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Alyssa Yee added further firepower with a .636 slugging percentage, including a grand slam in the finale and four RBIs overall.
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Jenna Kearns delivered steady production behind the plate, batting .250 with two doubles and flawless defensive play, throwing out the only stolen base attempt against Idaho State during the series.
In the circle, Megan Meracle was dominant across two starts, throwing 12.0 innings, allowing just six hits and two earned runs, while striking out nine — capped by her historic perfect game.
The Bengals' defense sparkled as well, committing just one error across the three games for a near-perfect .986 team fielding percentage, led by flawless individual efforts from McDonald, Kearns, Dudley, Brown, and others.
ON Deck
It's time for everything the Bengals have worked for this season, the 2025 Big Sky Softball Tournament. The Bengals head to Greeley to take on the rest of the conference. Idaho State will play the winner of #4 Northern Colorado and #5 Portland State. Pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM May 6, 2025
