FARMINGTON, Utah (Feb. 25, 2026) – The first month of softball season is nearly complete as Big Sky teams prepare for week four.
Big Sky Softball Weekly Notes (Week 4)
Morales Named Big Sky Softball Player of the Week
Northern Colorado's Amailee Morales led the Bears offensively, hitting .556 (10-for-18) with a .600 on-base percentage and .667 slugging percentage over five games. She added two doubles and four RBI while striking out just once on a 2-3 weekend.
Defensively, Morales recorded 39 putouts and one assist at first base over the course of the five-game weekend.
Others Nominated for Softball Player of the Week
Ava Brown (ISU), Grace Lopez (UM), Saskia Raab (SAC), Jordan McMahon (WSU)
Ortiz Named Big Sky Softball Pitcher of the Week
Senior Alexa Ortiz helped Sacramento State to a 4-0 record at the Mustang Classic in San Luis Obispo. The right-hander started two of the four games, and went 2-0 with two complete games, a 0.50 ERA, and 0.71 WHIP. In 14.0 innings, she was dominant, allowing just two runs and four hits with 14 strikeouts. Opponents hit just .085 when she was in the circle, and both of her complete game efforts were two-hitters.
In the Hornets’ 6-1 win over Cal Poly, the Chandler, Ariz., native allowed two hits and one run while striking out six batters. She followed up that effort two days later in another complete-game effort, yielding two hits and one unearned run with eight strikeouts. She threw a total of 241 pitches in her two appearances.
Others Nominated for Softball Pitcher of the Week
Marley Goluskin (ISU), Anna Wilming (UNC)
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 in the NCAA softball tournament. The 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 4)
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Pacific at Sacramento State // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Thursday, Feb. 26
Weber State vs Utah // 12:30 p.m. MT
Weber State at Utah Tech // 3:00 p.m. MT (WAC TV)
Portland State vs Mercyhurst // 4:00 pm MT
Friday, Feb. 27
Santa Clara at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Creighton at Northern Colorado // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
San Jose State at Sacramento State // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Creighton at Northern Colorado // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State vs Mercyhurst // 4:00 p.m. MT
Creighton at Northern Colorado // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at #17 Oregon // 4:30 p.m. MT
Weber State vs Utah Valley // 5:30 p.m. MT
Idaho State vs Samford // 7:00 p.m. MT
Portland State at Hawaii // 9:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, Feb. 28
Creighton at Northern Colorado // 10:30 a.m. MT
Idaho State vs Stetson // 11:00 a.m. MT
Portland State vs Mercyhurst // 1:00 p.m. MT
San Jose State at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. MT
Northern Colorado at Colorado State // 1:00 p.m. MT
Idaho State vs Samford // 1:30 p.m. MT
Portland State at Hawaii // 3:30 p.m. MT
Sacred Heart at Sacramento State // 3:30 p.m. MT
Weber State at Utah Tech // 5:30 p.m. MT (WAC TV)
Sunday, March 1
Idaho State vs Stetson // 10:00 a.m. MT
Weber State at Southern Utah // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Nevada at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado vs Colorado State // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Southern Utah // 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
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