POCATELLO, Idaho – The Big Sky Conference released its preseason softball all-conference awards and poll, and the Bengals are positioned at the top heading into the 2026 season. Idaho State was picked to finish 1st out of the 6 Big Sky member schools.
The poll and All-Conference team was voted on by the league's six head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
Defending regular-season champion Idaho State earned five first-place votes and a league-leading 25 points to claim the top spot in the preseason poll, while Sacramento State claimed the final first-place vote and finished third in voting. Defending Big Sky tournament champions Weber State finished second in the poll with 19 points.
Bengal slugger Ava Brown was tabbed the Big Sky preseason MVP following a dominant 2025 campaign.
Brown, along with Jenna Kearns, Alyssa Yee, Kasey Aguinaga, and Lizzy Tommasini, also earned preseason all-conference recognition.
Ava Brown – Preseason MVP, Preseason All-Conference
Brown was a cornerstone of Idaho State's 2025 Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship, starting all 54 games in the outfield. She posted a .371 batting average with a .467 on-base percentage and a .937 slugging percentage, totaling 59 hits, including 39 for extra bases, with 25 home runs, 66 RBI, and 58 runs scored. Brown broke the Idaho State single-game home run record with three against Montana on April 14 and finished the season holding both the Idaho State and Big Sky Conference single-season home run records. She added three stolen bases, drew 30 walks against just 33 strikeouts, and recorded a .986 fielding percentage. Brown was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Big Sky honors following a season defined by power, consistency, and impact.
Jenna Kearns – Preseason All-Conference
Kearns played a key role in Idaho State's 2025 Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship, appearing in 52 games with 45 starts primarily at catcher. She finished the season with a .300 batting average, .353 on-base percentage, and .558 slugging percentage, recording 36 hits with 17 going for extra bases, including 10 doubles and seven home runs. Kearns drove in 30 runs, scored 32 times, and added four stolen bases while striking out just 15 times in 120 at-bats. Defensively, she posted a .984 fielding percentage with 164 putouts and 21 assists. Kearns earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week honors during a standout stretch in April and was named First Team All-Big Sky Conference.
Alyssa Yee – Preseason All-Conference
Yee was a constant presence in the lineup during Idaho State's 2025 Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship, starting all 54 games in the outfield. She led the Bengals with a .386 batting average while posting a .465 on-base percentage and .614 slugging percentage, totaling 66 hits in 171 at-bats with 21 going for extra bases, including eight home runs. Yee drove in 42 runs, scored a team-high 59 times, and added 17 stolen bases in 20 attempts, while striking out just 19 times all season. Defensively, she recorded a .989 fielding percentage with 86 putouts and seven assists. Yee earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors following a season highlighted by speed, on-base ability, and consistent production.
Kasey Aguinaga – Preseason All-Conference
Aguinaga made an immediate impact in the circle during Idaho State's 2025 Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship run, appearing in 27 games with 16 starts. She posted a 14-7 record with a 3.34 ERA across 96.1 innings, striking out 42 batters. Aguinaga recorded her first Idaho State win in relief against Utah Valley before delivering multiple standout performances in conference play, including complete-game victories against Texas State, Sacramento State, and Weber State. She was named Big Sky Conference Pitcher of the Year, earned First Team All-Big Sky honors, and was selected as a tri-Top Newcomer of the Year after a season marked by poise and effectiveness in high-leverage situations.
Lizzy Tommasini – Preseason All-Conference
Tommasini was a key contributor in the circle during Idaho State's 2025 Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship, appearing in 23 games with 11 starts. She posted a 7-4 record with three saves and a 3.29 ERA across 76.2 innings, striking out 45 batters. Tommasini delivered multiple complete-game performances throughout the season, including wins against Texas Tech, Pacific, and Sacramento State, and recorded her first collegiate win and save early in the year. She earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors following a season defined by consistency, durability, and versatility in both starting and relief roles.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Idaho State (5) - 25
2. Weber State - 19
3. Sacramento State (1) - 18
4. Northern Colorado - 14
5. Portland State - 9
6. Montana - 5
*() Indicates first place votes
2026 Big Sky Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
Catcher: Jenna Kearns, Idaho State*
Catcher: Katie Marsh, Sacramento State*
First Base: Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado
Second Base: Sadie Kirk, Weber State
Shortstop: Krista Francia, Northern Colorado*
Shortstop: Taegan Smith, Weber State*
Third Base: Katie Walling, Northern Colorado*
Third Base: Madison Evers-Lyles, Sacramento State*
Third Base: Abby Grundy, Weber State*
Outfield: Ava Brown, Idaho State (Preseason MVP)
Outfield: Alyssa Yee, Idaho State
Outfield: Lafulafu Malepeai, Sacramento State
Pitcher: Kasey Aguinaga, Idaho State*
Pitcher: Lizzy Tommasini, Idaho State*
Pitcher: Anna Wilming, Northern Colorado*
Pitcher: Alexa Ortiz, Sacramento State*
Pitcher: Cali McCraw: Weber State*
Pitcher/Utility: Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, Portland State
Non-Pitcher/Utility: Riley Whalen, Weber State
* Indicates tie for position
