FARMINGTON, Utah (May 26, 2023) – The 2023 Big Sky softball season officially concluded this past weekend, as Northern Colorado capped its postseason run in Seattle.
(Big Sky Weekly Notebook: Recap)
The 2023 season has been one to remember as teams around the league celebrated first time moments and changed program history. Here are the top moments and storylines to highlight another incredible year.
2023 #BigSkySB Highlights
- For the first time in program history, Northern Colorado won the Big Sky tournament title and received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Bears national appearance marks their first while representing the conference.
- Despite being picked last in the preseason polls, Northern Colorado made its NCAA debut in the Seattle Regional as they took on No. 7 Washington and Minnesota in the first and second round. The Bears season came to a close with a 4-0 loss to Minnesota.
- Northern Colorado's historic postseason run created a lot of firsts as the Bears also became the first team to claim the tournament title after coming off the losers bracket.
- After finishing the year with a 10-5 record, both Idaho State and Sacramento State were named the Co-Regular Season Champions.
- Idaho State's roster impressed all as the Bengals walked away with two individual awards as Ava Brown was named Freshman of the Year and pitcher Jordan Schuring was tabbed Top Newcomer.
- After leading the Bengals to a regular season title in only his second year at the helm, head coach Andrew Rich was named Coach of the Year.
- For Portland State, Emily Johansen became the first Viking to be named Player of the Year after her incredible senior season in the diamond.
- For the second consecutive season, Sacramento State's Marissa Bertuccio was unanimously named Pitcher of the Year following another remarkable season in the circle. Bertuccio also made conference history this season as she now holds the record for most weekly awards given in a single season with seven. Bertuccio earned 17 career weekly awards which is also a conference record.
- Portland State pitcher Olivia Grey delivered her first career no-hitter in the Big Sky tournament to help the Vikings take down Montana.
- Tournament MVP, Alyssa Wenzel led both Northern Colorado and the Big Sky in batting average as the senior finished with a .373 average.
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