Photo Courtesy of Big Sky Conference
POCATELLO, Idaho (May 10, 2014) – In the championship game of the 2014 Big Sky Softball Championship, No. 3 Southern Utah defeated No. 1 Idaho State, 8-5.
After a leadoff single by SUU’s Sara Park, Kylee Wolf hit a home run to left field, her third of the tournament. The two-run home run gave the T-Birds a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Idaho State’s Vicky Galasso answered the 2-0 deficit, with a solo home run. Galasso’s home run cut the T-Birds lead in half, 2-1.
In the top of the third inning, Southern Utah’s Kadi Henderson was walked with one out. Madison Resley reached on a fielder’s choice, advancing Henderson to second on an error by the third baseman. Lyndsey Healey reached on a fielder’s choice as Resley was out at second and Henderson advanced to third base. Meagan Neilson reached on a fielder’s choice, advancing Healey to second and scoring Henderson on an error by the shortstop. The T-Birds took a 3-1 lead with the run, heading into the bottom of the third.
After SUU’s Wolf hit a leadoff single in the top of the fifth, Henderson hit a two-run home run, her fourth in the tournament.
With Hayes on base after reaching on an error in the bottom of the fifth, Kacie Burnett hit a two-run home run to cut SUU’s lead to 5-3.
Breakwell hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth. Blackwell singled next, advancing Breakwell to third. Michaela Barr pinch ran for Blackwell. Hickman was walked, loading the bases. Gabby Lopez hit an RBI single, advancing all of the runners, allowing Breakwell to score and cutting SUU’s lead to 5-4.
In the same inning, Kolar was walked, which tied the game after Barr crossed the plate.
In the top of the seventh inning, SUU’s Wolf hit a leadoff double. Henderson came up to the plate and hit a two-run home run, her fifth of the tournament. With one out, Healey hit a solo home run, giving the T-Birds the 8-5 advantage.
This is Southern Utah’s first post-season Big Sky championship, in any sport.
Southern Utah (26-22) earns the automatic berth to the NCAA Softball Championship. The bracket will be announced Sunday, May 11, at 10 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Idaho State finished 35-20.
Idaho Central Credit Union was the presenting sponsor of the 2014 Big Sky Softball Championship.
MVP – Kadi Henderson, Southern Utah
Kylee Wolf, Southern Utah
Lyndsey Healey, Southern Utah
Katie Greenberg, Southern Utah
Sara Park, Southern Utah
Ariel Hart, Southern Utah
Madison Resley, Southern Utah
Haley Douglas, Idaho State
Terah Blackwell, Idaho State
Hailey Breakwell, Idaho State
Maddy Hickman, Idaho State
Kacie Burnett, Idaho State
Caitlin Brooks, Sacramento State
Paige Martin, Sacramento State
Paige Castro, Sacramento State
Kaitlin Flynn, Northern Colorado
