FARMINGTON, Utah (Feb. 5, 2026) – The start of the 2026 Big Sky softball season is set to begin today as Montana and Sacramento State throw out the first pitches of the season. All six conference teams will be in action on Friday with a full slate of games this weekend.
Big Sky Softball Weekly Notes (Week 1)
Idaho State Named Preseason Favorites
The Grizzlies earned the top spot in the preseason poll after receiving five first place votes from the league's head coaches. Idaho State is looking to make it back-to-back regular season crowns after posting a 37-win 2025 season.
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.
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2026 Big Sky Softball Schedule (Week 1)
Thursday, Feb. 5
Sacramento State at UC Davis // 3:00 p.m. MT
Montana vs Saint Louis // 5:30 p.m. MT
Friday, Feb. 6
Montana vs Wagner // 12:00 p.m. MT
Weber State vs Santa Clara // 1:15 p.m. MT
Portland State at CSUN // 1:30 p.m. MT
Idaho State vs SIUE // 2:00 p.m. MT
Montana vs Saint Louis // 2:30 p.m. MT
Santa Barbara vs Northern Colorado // 2:30 p.m. MT
Saint Mary's at Sacramento State // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Cal State Fullerton // 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Fresno State // 6:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Weber State at Grand Canyon // 6:30 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Northern Colorado at UCLA // 7:30 p.m. MT (B1G+)
Saturday, Feb. 7
Weber State vs Santa Clara // 10:30 a.m. MT
Idaho State vs SIUE // 12:00 p.m. MT
Montana vs Wagner // 12:00 p.m. MT
Saint Mary's at Sacramento State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Long Beach State vs Northern Colorado // 1:30 p.m. MT
Idaho State at Fresno State // 2:00 p.m. MT (MW Network)
Cal Poly at Sacramento State // 3:30 p.m. MT
Portland State vs Boise State // 4:00 p.m. MT
Northern Colorado at LMU // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Montana at UC San Diego // 5:30 p.m. MT
Portland State at Cal State Fullerton // 6:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Weber State at Southern Utah // 6:30 p.m. MT
Sunday, Feb. 8
Colorado State at Sacramento State // 10:30 a.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State vs CSUN // 11:00 a.m. MT
Idaho State at SIUE // 10:30 a.m. MT
UC Riverside at Northern Colorado // 11:30 a.m. MT
Weber State at Southern Utah // 12:30 p.m. MT