GAME ONE -- Montana 7, Idaho State 6
MISSOULA, Mont. -- Idaho State built a 6-3 lead heading into the final inning Saturday, but four runs in the bottom of the seventh gave Montana a 7-6 victory in the opening game of a critical Big Sky Conference series at Grizzly SB Field.
The Bengals (32-18, 8-5 Big Sky) struck early, scoring on a
Jenna Kearns sacrifice fly in the first inning that plated
Alyssa Yee. Idaho State extended its lead with a two-run third, as
Sydney Groves singled to center and two runs scored to make it 3-1.
Kira Day led off the fourth with a solo home run to right-center to push the margin to 4-1, and the Bengals added runs in the sixth and seventh innings on an
Alyssa Yee RBI single and a Groves run-scoring hit to take a 6-3 lead into the seventh.
Idaho State was unable to protect the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases with nobody out, and Kailee Mejia's single to shortstop scored the first run. A bases-loaded walk forced in another, and Madison Tarrant's single down the left-field line plated two more to complete the comeback.
Kasey Aguinaga started and worked 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks.
Megan Meracle pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief, striking out three but issuing six walks.
Lizzy Tommasini (6-4) was charged with the loss after allowing one run in a third of an inning in the seventh. Idaho State's pitching staff combined to walk 12 batters in the game.
"We had a few really good innings in that first game to build the lead we had, and then to give up four in the seventh," head coach
Andrew Rich said. "We gotta be a little more aggressive and attack -- own the moment, own the matchup a little bit more."
Day went 2-for-4 with the home run and one RBI to lead Idaho State offensively.
Camryn McDonald finished 3-for-4, and Groves added two hits and two RBI. Kearns contributed a double and an RBI.
GAME TWO -- Idaho State 6, Montana 0
The Bengals responded with a dominant performance in the nightcap, as sophomore
Marley Goluskin threw a complete game shutout and Idaho State's offense generated six runs on 12 hits to even the series at one game apiece.
Goluskin (10-4) was in command throughout, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out four over 116 pitches. She recorded her 100th career strikeout in the effort, a milestone that stands as a testament to her durability after bouncing back from an arm injury last season. Goluskin induced nine groundouts and eight flyouts, and the Bengals committed no errors behind her.
"Marley's steadiness -- you know what you're gonna get when she's in the circle," Rich said. "She's gonna pound the strike zone, challenge hitters, go after them with her best stuff. Really happy for her for getting that hundredth strikeout, especially knowing what she had to deal with last year with the arm injury. She feels really good now, and that's a great thing for us."
Idaho State broke the game open in the third inning, plating three runs. Groves delivered a two-run home run, and Kearns added an RBI double later in the frame to make it 3-0. The Bengals tacked on single runs in the fourth and fifth before closing with another run in the seventh to finalize the 6-0 margin.
Nine different Bengals recorded at least one hit. McDonald went 2-for-4, and
Belle Navarrete added a double among her two hits. Kearns was 2-for-4 with the RBI double, and Groves provided the big blow with her home run and two RBI.
Chloe McGreevey, getting the start in right field, went 1-for-3 and scored a run.
Jaden Moore contributed an RBI as a pinch hitter.
"To bounce back -- the fight this team showed all season, they're never out of it," Rich said. "We had 22 hits today. We're doing a lot of things well offensively and we can do even more."
BENGAL BITES
Milestone:
Marley Goluskin recorded her 100th career strikeout Saturday afternoon, reaching the mark in just two-plus seasons of collegiate pitching.
Offense: Idaho State combined for 22 hits and 12 runs across the two games.
Camryn McDonald went 5-for-8 on the day, and
Kira Day homered in the opener.
Lineup flexibility: Head coach
Andrew Rich mixed in
Chloe McGreevey and
Jaden Moore in Game Two. McGreevey started in right field and scored a run, while Moore delivered a pinch-hit RBI.
Postseason bye: With the win today, Idaho State has already clinched a bye in the Big Sky Conference Tournament regardless of Sunday's outcome.
