POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State dropped the final game of its series with the Sacramento State Hornets 8-7 in extra innings Saturday afternoon at Miller Ranch Stadium. The Bengals clawed back from a 6-0 deficit to force extras but two runs by the Hornets in the 8th secured the win for the hornets. The Bengals take the series 2-1 and are now 8-4 headed into the final series of the year, against the also 8-4 Montana Grizzlies. The two teams will duke it out in Missoula next week for a winner take all Big Sky regular-season finish.Â
The damage came quickly. Lizzy Tommasini had not recorded an out when Madi Mendoza hit a two-run home run to right field, and Madison Evers-Lyles followed with a solo shot the very next at-bat. After a walk and a bunt out, Megan Meracle came on in relief. Faith Epperson delivered a two-out RBI single up the middle, then George and Medellin were each hit by pitches to load the bases before Lafulafu Malepeai's two-RBI single to shallow left capped a six-run frame.
Idaho State chipped away. The Bengals scored once in the third on a Jenna Kearns RBI single, then added two in the fifth — an RBI groundout by Olivia Robison and a passed ball that brought in Renay Chavez. The deficit stood at 6-3 entering the sixth, when ISU erupted for three runs to tie it. Camryn McDonald beat out a bunt and reached third on a throwing error, Ava Brown tripled her home, and Kearns followed with a two-run triple to right field that scored Brown and Sydney Groves, knotting the game at 6-6.
Sacramento State answered with two runs in the top of the eighth to retake the lead. Idaho State got one back in the bottom half — Yee singled, McDonald walked, and Brown tripled home a run — but stranded runners to fall short, 8-7.
Saturday's game also marked Senior Day at Miller Ranch Stadium, as Idaho State honored eight players who have contributed to the Bengal softball program.
Alyssa Yee closes out a four-year career as one of the most decorated players in program history. A career .362 hitter across 200 games, Yee ranks third all-time at Idaho State in batting average, hits (231), runs scored (166), and total bases (374), while sitting second all-time in career doubles with 45.
Ava Brown leaves Pocatello as one of the most powerful hitters in Big Sky Conference history. Brown finishes with 52 career home runs — second all-time at Idaho State — and 161 RBIs, fourth all-time in program history. The 2025 Big Sky Most Valuable Player became just the third player in conference history to surpass 50 career home runs.
Olivia Robison wraps up a four-year career with 158 hits, 15 home runs, and 102 RBIs across 189 games. She ranks fourth all-time at Idaho State in career walks (74) and ninth all-time in career RBIs.
Kennedy Dudley finishes her four-year Bengal career having appeared in 181 games, collecting 109 hits, 24 doubles, 12 home runs, and 80 RBIs while logging 624 career chances in the field.
Jaden Moore saved her best for last, posting a .408 average with five home runs and a 1.132 OPS in her final season. Moore finishes her three-year Bengal career with a .342 average, 41 hits, and 26 RBIs.
Sydney Groves joined the Bengals for her final year of eligibility and made an immediate impact, batting .326 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs while posting a 1.113 OPS. Groves also hit her 50th career home run during the season.
On the mound, Kasey Aguinaga departs as one of the best pitchers in program history. In two seasons, Aguinaga went 27-11 with a 3.09 ERA over 190.0 innings, ranking fifth all-time at Idaho State in career wins. She was named Big Sky Pitcher of the Year in 2025.
Riley Wickum rounds out the class after three seasons in the Idaho State pitching circle, finishing with 67 appearances and 202.2 innings pitched — seventh and ninth all-time in program history in those categories, respectively.
On Deck
The Bengals head to Missoula next weekend for the biggest series of the year, a best of three set to determine the 2026 Big Sky Regular Season Champion. First pitch is set for Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 PM MT.Â
