FARMINGTON, Utah (April 1, 2026) – The first two months of softball season are complete as teams around the league turn their attention towards an April Slate full of league action.
Big Sky Softball Weekly Notes (Week 9)
Yee Named Big Sky Softball Co-Player of the Week
Alyssa Yee was nearly unstoppable at the plate as Idaho State went 2-1 in its opening Big Sky Conference series against Weber State. The outfielder hit .750 for the series with a 1.583 slugging percentage and a .750 on-base percentage, going 9-for-12 across three games. Yee collected four doubles and a grand slam among her nine hits, drove in nine runs, and did not strike out once in 12 at-bats.
Lopez Named Big Sky Softball Co-Player of the Week
Grace Lopez went 6 for 7 (.857) as Montana opened league play with a home sweep of Portland State. Lopez walked three times for a .900 on-base percentage, had three doubles and a home run for 12 total bases in seven at-bats, a 1.714 slugging percentage. Lopez scored seven runs in three games, while driving in three. Lopez is now batting .439 for the Griz on the season.
Others Nominated for Softball Player of the Week
Amailee Morales (UNC), Mia Martinez (PSU), Lafulafu Malepeai (SAC)
Sweet Named Big Sky Softball Pitcher of the Week
Carah Sweet went 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA over 17.0 innings as Montana went 6-0 on the week with home sweeps of Seattle and Portland State. Her 17 innings of work were spread out over three starts, and four appearances. Sweet opened the series against Portland State with a 5-0 victory, Montana's first complete game shutout of a Division I opponent in more than two years. She tallied nine strikeouts on the week for the Griz.
Others Nominated for Softball Pitcher of the Week
Kasey Aguinaga (ISU), Anna Wilming (UNC), Keeli Smith (SAC), Cali McCraw (WSU)
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
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
Weber State Seeks to Repeat as Tournament Champions in 2026
Weber State, who captured 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 to highlight its NCAA postseason run.
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 Championships 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 9)
Friday, April 3
Sacramento State at Weber State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Idaho State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Montana // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Weber State // 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Idaho State // 3:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northern Colorado at Montana // 4:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Saturday, April 4
Northern Colorado at Montana // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Portland State at Idaho State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Sacramento State at Weber State // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Tuesday, April 7
MSU Billings at Montana // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
MSU Billings at Montana // 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Utah at Weber State // 4:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
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