Denim Millward
Sports Editor
With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Idaho State University softball team’s showdown with Sacramento State figured to be critical for both teams, and figured to go a long way in determining the fate of the division.
Thanks to a perfect combination of red-hot hitting and lights-out pitching, the Bengals seized control of first place in the Big Sky Conference with their three-game sweep of the Hornets at Shea Stadium in Sacramento, California April 17 and 18.
Game one on April 17 started out as a pitcher’s duel, with Sophie Slagle pitching a complete game for the Bengals. Slagle pitched nine innings, striking out seven and walking three while only surrendering a trio of hits.
“She was incredible,” said head coach Julie Wright to ISU Sports Information of Slagel, who carried a no-hitter through the first 5-and-two-thirds innings of game 1. “She hit her spots and changed her speeds. They struggled to figure her out. She was that good.”
After the defensive battle stretched into extra innings, the Bengals bats at last came alive in the top of the ninth inning.
Boosted by a throwing and fielding error by the Hornets, Idaho State batted through the order in the ninth and plated seven runs.
“We never panicked offensively,” Wright said. “We were all business.”
Game two of the double header featured considerably more active bats from both the Hornets and the Bengals.
Gabby Lopez led the charge for the Bengals offensively, smacking four hits, batting a run in and scoring four of the eight runs in the Bengals 8 to 5 victory.
“Gabby is playing great softball right now,” Wright said to ISU Sports Information. “She is enjoying herself and her senior year. She is putting it all together.”
Freshman Ashlyn Ames pitched a complete game in game two, scattering nine hits over seven innings and netting one strikeout and one walk.
Over the course of the two games on the day, the Bengals racked up 22 hits. Sophomore Kacie Burnett, Senior Vicky Galasso, Senior Hailey Breakwell, Sophomore Sarah Hayes and Junior Katelyn Marquez each had three hits, while Galasso also had four RBIs.
April 18, the Bengals came out swinging, quickly ensuring the sweep would be complete. Breakwell slugged a three-run homer in the first inning to put the Bengals up three to zero.
ISU would add two more runs the following inning to hold a commanding five to zero lead after the first two frames.
Unlike the first two games, game three was a two-person effort from behind the mound.
Slagle pitched the first three-and-one-third innings, giving up six hits and two runs in that span while walking one and striking out one.
Junior Bailey Foster relieved Slagle and gave up only three hits and no runs over the final three-and-two-thirds innings, sealing the victory and the sweep for the Bengals.
“Bailey Foster was tremendous in relief,” Wright told ISU Sports Information following the game. “The role she played for us in today’s win was huge.”
Wright was also effusive in her praise of Junior Michaela Taylor, affectionately referred to as “Kansas” by her coach and teammates due to her hailing from Leavenworth, Kansas.
“Kansas is playing so well on defense right now,” Wright told ISU Sports Information. “Our entire defense is playing well. I can’t praise our defense enough.”
Following the sweep, ISU (13-2 conference, 28-14 overall) sits in sole possession of first place in the Big Sky Conference by a comfortable margin.
Weber State (9-4 conference, 28-15 overall) trails the Bengals by four games in the win column and two in the loss column.
Following the three consecutive losses to the Bengals, Sacramento State (10-5 conference, 21-23 overall,) fell to third place in the conference.
Next up for ISU is a trip to Greeley, Colorado for a three-game series with the Northern Colorado Bears April 24 and 25.
The Bengals wrap up the regular season May 1 and 2 with a two-game home stand against North Dakota at Miller Ranch Stadium in Pocatello.
