FARMINGTON, Utah (Feb. 11, 2026) – Week two of the 2026 Big Sky softball season is here as all six teams around the league hit the road for a full weekend of competition.
Big Sky Softball Weekly Notes (Week 2)
Kearns Named Big Sky Softball Player of the Week
Jenna Kearns delivered a standout performance at the Fresno State Kickoff Classic, leading Idaho State to a 3-2 record while anchoring the lineup throughout the five-game weekend. Kearns hit .625 (10-for-16) with a tournament-high seven runs scored and six extra-base hits, including four doubles and two triples. She consistently set the tone offensively, reaching base and driving scoring opportunities in multiple games, including a 3-for-4 performance with a triple and an RBI in the tournament finale against SIUE.
Other's Nominated for Softball Player of the Week
Grace Lopez (UM), KK Christie (UNC), Nichole Orozco (PSU), Lafulafu Malepeai (SAC)
Ortiz Named Big Sky Softball Pitcher of the Week
Junior Alexa Ortiz helped lead Sacramento State to a 4-1 record in the opening week of the season. In three appearances (two starts), the right-hander was dominant. She posted a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA, allowing just four hits and no runs with 17 strikeouts over 15.0 innings. Opponents hit just .080 when she was in the circle, and Ortiz took no-hitters into the fifth inning of both her starts.
In Saturday’s 4-0 win over Saint Mary’s, the Chandler, Ariz., native tossed a one-hit shutout while walking two and striking out a career-high 11 batters over seven innings. She faced just four batters over the minimum, and the only hit allowed was a two-out infield single in the sixth inning.
In the season opener at UC Davis, Ortiz allowed just one hit with a walk and five strikeouts over five innings. She took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a single. Her third and final appearance came in relief on Sunday in the Hornets’ 7-0 loss to Colorado State, as she yielded just two hits with no runs over three innings.
Other's Nominated for Softball Pitcher of the Week
Kasey Aquinaga (ISU), Cameryn Ortega (UM), Anna Wilming (UNC), Gracie Walters (PSU)
Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Idaho State (5) - 25
2. Weber State - 19
3. Sacramento State (1) - 18
4. Northern Colorado - 14
5. Portland State - 9
6. Montana - 5
*() Indicates first place votes
Brown Headlines Inaugural Preseason All-Conference Team
Idaho State's Ava Brown headlines the Preseason All-Conference Team, earning preseason MVP honors. Brown led the league a season ago in home runs (25) and RBIs (66). The 2025 Big Sky Player of the Year's 25 home runs last year set a single-season conference record.
The Bengals have five members on the Preseason All-Conference Team, the most of any other school. Kasey Aguinaga and Lizzy Tommasini are two of those members who played a crucial role in Idaho State's defensive efforts in the circle last season. The Bengals surrendered a league-low 231 runs a season ago behind a pitching staff that secured 37 wins.
Defending tournament champions Weber State also has five members on the Preseason All-Conference squad. The Wildcats will look to senior third baseman Abby Grundy and reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year Sadie Kirk to lead the Wildcats on both sides of the ball.
2026 Big Sky Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
Catcher: Jenna Kearns, Idaho State*
Catcher: Katie Marsh, Sacramento State*
First Base: Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado
Second Base: Sadie Kirk, Weber State
Shortstop: Krista Francia, Northern Colorado*
Shortstop: Taegan Smith, Weber State*
Third Base: Katie Walling, Northern Colorado*
Third Base: Madison Evers-Lyles, Sacramento State*
Third Base: Abby Grundy, Weber State*
Outfield: Ava Brown, Idaho State (Preseason MVP)
Outfield: Alyssa Yee, Idaho State
Outfield: Lafulafu Malepeai, Sacramento State
Pitcher: Kasey Aguinaga, Idaho State*
Pitcher: Lizzy Tommasini, Idaho State*
Pitcher: Anna Wilming, Northern Colorado*
Pitcher: Alexa Ortiz, Sacramento State*
Pitcher: Cali McCraw: Weber State*
Pitcher/Utility: Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, Portland State
Non-Pitcher/Utility: Riley Whalen, Weber State
* Indicates tie for position
Weber State Seeks to Repeat as Tournament Champions in 2025
Weber State, who earned its fifth tournament crown last season after winning the Big Sky Championship, will look to defend its title this year as the Wildcats set their sights on another tourney crown. Weber State recorded a win in an elimination game against Binghamton in the Eugene regional.
The win marks the school’s and conference’s second win the NCAA softball tournament. The lone other win came in 2019 when Weber State defeated Cal State Fullerton.
Pocatello Tabbed as Host City for 2026 Big Sky Tournament
The 2026 Big Sky Softball Championship will be held May 4-7 at Idaho State’s Softball Field in Pocatello, Idaho. All six Big Sky softball teams will advance to the double-elimination tournament. The tournament champion will earn the Big Sky’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
2026 Big Sky Softball Schedule (Week 2)
Thursday, Feb. 12
Portland State vs Indiana // 12:45 p.m. MT
Portland State at Arizona State // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at San Diego // 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at San Diego // 7:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Friday, Feb. 13
South Dakota vs Northern Colorado // 10:00 a.m. MT
Montana vs #4 Oklahoma // 10:00 a.m. MT
Idaho State vs Minnesota // 11:00 a.m. MT
Portland State vs Nevada // 12:45 p.m. MT
Boise State vs Weber State // 12:00 p.m. MT
Sacramento State vs South Dakota // 1:15 p.m. MT
Portland State vs Pacific // 3:30 p.m. MT
Northern Colorado at Grand Canyon // 4:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Montana at New Mexico State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at UTEP // 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at UC San Diego // 5:30 p.m. MT
Sacramento State at Grand Canyon // 6:30 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Saturday, Feb. 14
Sacramento State vs South Dakota // 9:00 a.m. MT
Utah Tech vs Weber State // 10:00 a.m. MT
Sacramento State vs Harvard // 11:30 a.m. MT
Montana at UTEP // 11:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at #4 Oklahoma // 12:00 p.m. MT
Portland State at Arizona State // 12:45 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at UTEP // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Grand Canyon // 5:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Idaho State at New Mexico State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Harvard vs Northern Colorado // 7:30 p.m. MT
Sunday, Feb. 15
Sacramento State vs South Dakota // 9:00 a.m. MT
Idaho State at UTEP // 9:00 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at New Mexico State // 12:00 p.m. MT
Harvard at Northern Colorado // 2:00 p.m. MT
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