Softball Heads South to UNLV Rebel Classic

POCATELLO, Idaho – Coming off of tournaments in El Paso and New Mexico State, the Idaho State Bengals (5-5) hit the road this week to take on the UNLV Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, NV. The Bengals will face off against well known foes UNLV and UVU, while encountering two new schools for the first time in Valparaiso and Merrimack.

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The Field

Idaho State Bengals – ISU Gamenotes

Utah Valley

Valparaiso

UNLV

Merrimack

Storylines

Power Surge Early

Idaho State has already hit 11 home runs in 10 games, accounting for a .488 team slugging percentage. Four different Bengals have gone deep, led by Ava Brown and Sydney Groves with four home runs each.

Brown's power has translated directly to production, as she leads the team with 12 RBI, while Groves owns a team-best .897 slugging percentage. Jenna Kearns has added two home runs and two triples as part of her .839 slugging percentage.

The Bengals are averaging 5.2 runs per game and have scored 52 total runs, including three games of eight or more runs.

Kearns Setting the Tone

Jenna Kearns is hitting .387 with 12 hits, four doubles, two triples and two home runs. She leads the team in hits and total bases with 26 while posting a .424 on-base percentage.

Behind the plate, she has thrown out two of six base stealers and owns a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Her presence at the top of the lineup has helped Idaho State score 18 first-inning runs, its highest output in any frame this season.

Groves' Early Consistency

Sydney Groves has been a steady presence in the lineup, batting .379 with four home runs and nine RBI. She is tied for the team lead with nine runs scored and has yet to commit an error in 46 defensive chances.

Her .897 slugging percentage is the highest on the roster and highlights her ability to impact games with one swing.

Aguinaga Anchors the Circle

Kasey Aguinaga has established herself as the staff leader with a 4-1 record and a 1.62 ERA across 26.0 innings. She has thrown three complete games, including one shutout, and is holding opponents to a .215 batting average.

Aguinaga has been the pitcher of record in five of Idaho State's 10 games and has accounted for four of the team's five wins.

Offensive Discipline Trending Up

Idaho State has drawn 30 walks in 10 games, including seven by Ava Brown and five by Olivia Robison. Brown has also been intentionally walked twice.

The Bengals have reached base at a .359 clip as a team and have struck out 43 times in 242 at-bats.

Opponents have committed 19 errors this season, contributing to Idaho State's 52 total runs.

Fast Starts Matter

The Bengals have done much of their damage early in games, scoring 18 runs in the first inning alone. They have also plated 10 runs in the third inning and eight runs in both the second and fifth innings.

Idaho State is 5-5 overall but holds a 52-43 advantage in total runs scored.

Idaho State is 5-0 when leading after four innings and 5-2 when scoring in the first inning. The Bengals are 0-4 when trailing after four innings.

 Defensive Stability

Idaho State owns a .983 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 10 games.

Six players with 10 or more chances are fielding 1.000, including Groves, Kearns, Camryn McDonald and Renay Chavez. The Bengals have also turned five double plays through the first 10 contests.

Balanced Production Throughout the Lineup

Seven regular starters are hitting .280 or better, providing depth throughout the order. Kearns, Groves, Chavez and Hayden Hummel are each hitting .333 or better, while Brown and McDonald are both above .280.

Five different players have scored at least six runs, underscoring Idaho State's balanced offensive approach.

 RECAP: 2026 Troy Cox Classic and Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournaments

Idaho State concluded its five-game road swing with a 2-3 record, earning wins at UTEP and New Mexico State while facing Minnesota, Oklahoma, and UTEP over a three-day stretch. The Bengals finished the trip 2-1 in true road games and 0-2 at neutral sites.

Offensively, Idaho State totaled 22 runs on 26 hits, including eight home runs. The Bengals posted a .211 team batting average with a .447 slugging percentage and a .322 on-base percentage. Idaho State recorded 19 walks and 32 strikeouts, leaving 32 runners on base across the five contests.

Groves led the offense, batting .400 with six hits in 15 at-bats. She homered three times, drove in six runs, and posted a 1.133 slugging percentage with 17 total bases. Kearns added two home runs and five RBI, while Brown contributed two home runs and four RBI. Day hit her first career home run in limited action and finished the weekend with an .800 slugging percentage in five at-bats. As a team, Idaho State went 6-for-37 with runners in scoring position and 8-for-43 with two outs.

In the circle, Aguinaga led the pitching staff with a 2-1 record and a 2.14 ERA over 16.1 innings. She allowed five earned runs on 16 hits with nine strikeouts and three walks. Goluskin made two starts and struck out seven over 7.1 innings. Wickum appeared in two games, and Law added three innings of relief work. Idaho State pitchers combined for 31.2 innings, striking out 20 and issuing 13 walks. The staff posted a 6.63 team ERA and a 1.93 WHIP.

Defensively, the Bengals committed three errors in 141 total chances, finishing the trip with a .979 fielding percentage and turning two double plays. Opponents hit .345 over the five games and scored 31 runs.

Idaho State scored seven runs in the first inning during the trip and held a 2-0 record when leading after four innings.

2026 Outlook

Idaho State Bengals softball enters the 2026 season with significant momentum after one of the strongest campaigns in program history. The Bengals finished 37–17 overall and 13–2 in conference play in 2025, showcasing consistency across all environments with an 8–5 home record, 15–8 mark on the road, and 14–4 record at neutral sites. Idaho State paired offensive firepower with pitching depth throughout the season, dominating the Big Sky regular season crown.

Offensively, the Bengals return nearly their entire core from a lineup that produced a .311 team batting average, 72 home runs, and 316 RBI in 2025. Senior Ava Brown headlines the group after a dominant season at the plate, batting .371 with 25 home runs and 66 RBI, serving as the centerpiece of a lineup that consistently applied pressure. Fellow senior Alyssa Yee was equally impactful, hitting .386 while scoring 59 runs and driving in 42 more, reaching base at a high clip and setting the table at the top of the order.

Idaho State also brings back a deep group of experienced hitters throughout the lineup. Senior Gracie Smith turned in a .398 batting average with 12 home runs, while senior Olivia Robison provided consistent production in the middle of the order, batting .308 with 33 RBI. Junior Camryn McDonald and junior Jenna Kearns offer stability and versatility defensively while contributing key offensive innings, and senior Kennedy Dudley remains a dependable presence after starting nearly every game a season ago.

The Bengals further bolster an already potent offense with the addition of senior Sydney Groves, who transferred to Idaho State after three standout seasons at Boise State. Groves brings extensive Division I production and postseason experience, highlighted by NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team honors in 2024 and multiple All-Mountain West selections. As a junior in 2025, she appeared in 50 games with 40 starts and hit .336 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, following a sophomore campaign in which she blasted 18 home runs and drove in a Boise State single-season record 57 RBI. A former D1Softball National Player of the Week and three-time Mountain West Player of the Week, Groves adds immediate power, experience, and leadership to an already deep Bengal lineup.

In the circle, Idaho State returns a fully intact pitching staff from 2025, a rarity entering a new season. The Bengals posted a 3.64 team ERA last year and logged more than 348 innings, with four pitchers throwing at least 68 innings apiece. Senior Kasey Aguinaga led the staff with 96.1 innings pitched, while sophomore Megan Meracle emerged as a strikeout presence with 72 punchouts in 83.1 innings. Redshirt sophomore Lizzy Tommasini and senior Riley Wickum added valuable depth, with each making double-digit starts. Junior Marley Goluskin also returns after missing time due to injury, bringing back proven experience after a 2024 season in which she posted a 9–7 record with a 3.25 ERA and earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors. With additional innings returning from Kaliann Scoresby and Josslin Law, Idaho State enters 2026 with both experience and flexibility in the pitching rotation.

Defensively, the Bengals showed consistency behind the plate and in the field, turning 24 double plays and holding opponents to a .281 batting average. That balance between offense, pitching, and defense allowed Idaho State to control games late and succeed in close contests throughout the season.

Preseason Honors

The Big Sky Conference released its 2026 preseason softball awards, and Idaho State Bengals softball was well represented following its 2025 regular-season championship run. Voted on by the league's six head coaches, Idaho State led the conference with five preseason All-Conference selections and senior outfielder Ava Brown was named the Big Sky Preseason Most Valuable Player after a historic season at the plate.

Brown was joined on the preseason All-Conference team by Jenna Kearns, Alyssa Yee, Kasey Aguinaga, and Lizzy Tommasini, giving the Bengals representation across every phase of the game. The five selections tied for the most in the league and reflected Idaho State's balance of offensive production, pitching depth, and veteran experience heading into the 2026 season.

Preseason Poll

The Big Sky Conference preseason coaches' poll placed Idaho State Bengals softball at the top heading into the 2026 season, as the Bengals were picked to finish first among the league's six programs. Idaho State earned five first-place votes and a league-best 25 points after capturing the 2025 regular-season title.

Weber State was selected second in the poll following its Big Sky Tournament championship, while Sacramento State finished third after receiving the remaining first-place vote. Northern Colorado, Portland State, and Montana rounded out the preseason order as Idaho State enters the year as the league favorite.

Big Sky Players/Pitchers of the Week

Idaho State Slugger Jenna Kearns was awarded the first Big Sky Player of the week award in the 2026 after her performance at the 2026 Fresno State Kickoff Classic.

Award Winners

-        2/9/2026 – Jenna Kearns – Player of the Week

Scouting the UVU Wolverines

Utah Valley enters the matchup at 5-5 overall, with a 1-3 record in true road games and a 4-2 mark at neutral sites. The Wolverines opened the season at the UTEP Tournament before competing at the Bear Down Fiesta in Tucson. Utah Valley has recorded run-rule victories over UMass Lowell, 10-0 in five innings, and Drake, 11-2 in six innings, while also earning two wins over Creighton. The Wolverines are currently on a one-game skid following a loss to Coastal Carolina. Head coach Cody Thomson is in his fifth season leading the program and is the sixth head coach of Utah Valley's Division I era.

Offensively, Utah Valley is batting .326 as a team with 62 runs scored on 86 hits through 10 games. The Wolverines have totaled 18 doubles, four triples, and 12 home runs, producing a .561 slugging percentage and a .414 on-base percentage. Emma Haygood leads the lineup with a .478 average, three home runs, 10 RBI, and a .957 slugging percentage, while Britney Moreno is hitting .455 with three home runs and 10 runs scored. Angelique Mann is batting .400 with five doubles, and Bailey Marvin is hitting .379 with two home runs. Utah Valley has drawn 31 walks and has been efficient on the bases, going 8-for-11 in stolen base attempts.

In the circle, the Wolverines hold a 6.96 team ERA across 59.1 innings, allowing 84 hits and 59 earned runs with 32 walks and 47 strikeouts. Lily Riley leads the staff with a 3-2 record and a 4.81 ERA over 16.0 innings, while Ella Miller has logged a team-high 20.1 innings with 20 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .335 against Utah Valley pitching and have hit 20 home runs. Defensively, the Wolverines have posted a .980 fielding percentage with five errors in 10 games, turning two double plays.

Scouting the Valparaiso Beacons

Valparaiso enters the matchup at 4-3 overall. The Beacons opened the season with four straight wins at the DePaul Dome Tournament, defeating Detroit Mercy, Green Bay twice, and Oakland. They have since dropped three consecutive games at the Skyhawk Invitational. This meeting marks the first between Idaho State and Valparaiso. Head coach Mike Armitage is in his second season leading the program after guiding the Beacons to 20 wins in 2025, the program's highest total since 2018 and an 11-win improvement from the prior year.

Offensively, Valparaiso is batting .323 as a team with 46 runs on 61 hits through seven games, posting a .471 on-base percentage and drawing 51 walks. Marissa Jackson leads the lineup with a .500 average, while Madison Vrastil is hitting .391 with seven runs scored and six stolen bases in six attempts. Kaia Garnica is batting .375 with a home run and four RBI, and Mack Gallagher is hitting .333 with a home run, five RBI, and 11 walks. The Beacons have been aggressive on the bases, converting 16 of 17 stolen base attempts.

In the circle, Valparaiso owns a 3.73 team ERA over 45.0 innings, allowing 24 earned runs with 19 walks and 47 strikeouts. Sydney McDermott leads the staff with a 3-1 record and a 1.40 ERA across 20.0 innings, recording 27 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .200 batting average. Azalya Lopez has logged 14.1 innings with 15 strikeouts. Defensively, the Beacons have posted a .979 fielding percentage with four errors and have turned six double plays.

Scouting the UNLV Rebels

UNLV enters the matchup at 3-7 overall, with all 10 games played at home. The Rebels opened the season at the UNLV Leadoff Classic before hosting the UNLV Desert Classic. UNLV has earned wins over UIC and two victories against Quinnipiac, both in run-rule fashion, but enters on a one-game skid following a loss to UC Davis. Kristie Fox, the sixth head coach in program history, has led the Rebels since June 2017.

Offensively, UNLV is batting .274 as a team with 49 runs on 63 hits, totaling 13 doubles, two triples, and 11 home runs for a .491 slugging percentage. Bri Williams leads the Rebels with three home runs and 13 RBI while hitting .364. Diamond Sefe is batting .462 with a .588 on-base percentage, and Taryn Calderon is hitting .438 with two home runs and four stolen bases. Keyannah Chavez has added 10 hits and five doubles, driving in seven runs. UNLV has been efficient on the bases, converting nine of 11 stolen base attempts.

In the circle, the Rebels hold a 4.43 team ERA across 60.0 innings, allowing 38 earned runs with 23 walks and 32 strikeouts. Emma Wardlaw owns a 2.53 ERA over 19.1 innings with two complete games, while Yanina Sherwood and Lauren Fettic have each made multiple starts. Opponents are hitting .320 against UNLV pitching. Defensively, the Rebels have recorded a .926 fielding percentage with 21 errors and have turned 19 double plays.

Scouting the Merrimack Warriors

Merrimack opens its 2026 season at the UNLV Rebel Classic, marking the first games of the year for the Warriors. This weekend also represents the first meeting between Idaho State and Merrimack. The Warriors will play five games over three days against UNLV, Valparaiso, Idaho State, and Utah Valley. Jill Gagnon begins her first season as head coach after a decorated playing career at Merrimack and a 12-year tenure at Saint Anselm where she won 316 games, three NE10 championships, and made seven NCAA Tournament appearances. Merrimack returns 18 players from last season, adds six freshmen, and welcomes two transfers from Saint Anselm.

At the plate, Merrimack will look to senior Thiana Brito to anchor the lineup after recording 39 hits last season, including seven for extra bases. The Warriors also return their third and fifth leading hitters from a year ago in Gabby Kaduson and Madeline Arvai. With significant returning experience, Merrimack brings continuity to its offensive core entering the opening weekend.

In the circle, Merrimack returns three pitchers, highlighted by junior Anna Gedacht, who led the team in wins last season while throwing 140 innings with 11 complete games and a 2.85 ERA. Emma Prahin and Brandi Neil also return to the staff, and transfer Sam Ryan arrives after winning 14 games with a 2.54 ERA last season at Saint Anselm.

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