Idaho State split a doubleheader against Montana on April 25, setting up a championship game on Sunday in the Big Sky Conference series at Grizzly SB Field.
The outcome is significant as Idaho State has already secured a bye in the upcoming Big Sky Conference Tournament, regardless of Sunday’s result. The team’s performance over both games highlighted their resilience and offensive depth.
In the first game, Idaho State built a 6-3 lead entering the final inning but could not hold off Montana’s comeback. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases before Kailee Mejia singled to bring in one run. A bases-loaded walk forced in another, and Madison Tarrant’s single drove home two more for a 7-6 Montana victory. “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.” Kira Day led offensively with two hits including a home run.
The Bengals responded strongly in Game Two with sophomore Marley Goluskin pitching a complete-game shutout as Idaho State won 6-0. Goluskin allowed five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over seven innings, reaching her 100th career strikeout milestone after recovering from an arm injury last season. “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.” Offensively nine different Bengals recorded hits; Sydney Groves hit a two-run home run while Camryn McDonald went five-for-eight across both games.
Rich praised his team’s determination throughout Saturday: “To bounce back — the fight this team showed all season, they’re never out of it,” he said. “We had 22 hits today. We’re doing a lot of things well offensively and we can do even more.” He also adjusted his lineup by starting Chloe McGreevey in right field—who scored—and using Jaden Moore as pinch hitter who contributed an RBI.
With Saturday’s split results ensuring their postseason advantage regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Idaho State looks ahead to compete for further success as they prepare for their next match.
