FARMINGTON, Utah (April 27, 2026) – The Big Sky Conference announced its Player of the Week honors, presented by
JAMBAR, with softball and outdoor track & field in action.
Big Sky Softball Player of the Week (April 27, 2026)
Softball Player of the Week: Sydney Groves, Idaho State (INF, Sr., Meridian, Idaho)
Sydney Groves powered Idaho State's offense throughout the Big Sky Conference regular season championship series at Montana, driving in runs in all three games and delivering the decisive blow in Sunday's series clincher. Groves hit .364 with a .909 slugging percentage across the three-game set, going 4-for-11 with two home runs and eight RBI. She homered in both Game Two and Game Three, including a three-run shot in the seventh inning Sunday off the first pitch she saw to put Idaho State ahead 8-2 and seal the Bengals' title.
Others Nominated for Softball Player of the Week
Ella Gonzales (ISU), Madi Mendoza (SAC)
Big Sky Softball Pitcher of the Week (April 27, 2026)
Softball Pitcher of the Week: Alexa Ortiz, Sacramento State (P, Jr., Chandler, Ariz.)
Junior pitcher Alexa Ortiz helped the Hornets to a three-game home sweep of Portland State. In her only appearance, the right-hander threw a two-hit shutout while walking one and striking out seven. She faced just five batters over the minimum while throwing 111 pitches.
Ortiz did not allow a runner past second base the entire game, and did not allow a runner past first base until a Hornet error in the sixth inning pushed a runner to second.
Others Nominated for Softball Pitcher of the Week
Marley Goluskin (ISU)
Big Sky Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week (April 27, 2026)
TBA
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