Idaho State Softball Wins First-Ever Championship

Idaho State's softball team didn't just win their first conference tournament title. They dominated it.

The Bengals went 3-0 at the Big Sky Softball Championship in their home city of Pocatello, Idaho, crushing every opponent they faced. Idaho State run-ruled all three teams, including a stunning 16-8 victory over Sacramento State in Thursday's championship final.

It's the first tournament title in the program's history. For a team and its fans who've waited years for this moment, the sweep felt extra sweet.

Senior Ava Brown led the charge, earning tournament MVP honors with a championship game performance that included six RBIs alone. She finished the week with eight RBIs, five hits, and two home runs that helped power her team to victory.

The Bengals hit 11 home runs total during the tournament. That kind of offensive firepower turned close games into blowouts and gave Idaho State its first regular season and tournament sweep since Northern Colorado accomplished the feat in 2024.

Six Idaho State players earned spots on the All-Tournament Team. Brown, Camryn McDonald, Kira Day, Jenna Kearns, Jaden Moore, and Marley Goluskin all represented the Bengals on the honor roll alongside standouts from Sacramento State and Montana.

The Ripple Effect

This championship means more than a trophy. Idaho State just earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Softball Tournament, giving the program its biggest stage yet and bringing national attention to Pocatello.

For the players, it's validation of countless hours of practice and dedication. For the community, it's a source of pride that their home team made history on their home field.

The NCAA Tournament field will be announced Sunday, May 10 at 5:00 p.m. MT on ESPN2. The Bengals will be watching with their heads held high, knowing they didn't just make it to the big dance—they earned it by being unbeatable when it mattered most.