FARMINGTON, Utah (April 29, 2026) – The 2026 Big Sky softball regular season is in the books, as Idaho State came out as champions for the third time in four seasons. Teams around the league now turn their attention towards the Big Sky Championships in Pocatello, with a berth to the NCAA Tournament on the line.
Big Sky Softball Weekly Notes (Big Sky Tournament)
Groves Named Big Sky Softball Player of the Week
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)
Ortiz Named Big Sky Softball Pitcher of the Week
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 Announces Softball All-Conference Awards
The 2026 Big Sky Softball Individual Awards and All-Conference Teams were announced on Thursday by the conference office, with Sacramento State's Lafulafu Malepeai headlining the announcement after winning Most Valuable Player honors for the Hornets.
Sac State's Malepeai was named MVP in just her second season in the league, as the former Newcomer of the Year was an offensive powerhouse for the Hornets. Malepeai ranked top-three in the league with a .405 batting average and was second in the league in home runs with 15.
Andrew Rich of Idaho State and Stef Ewing of Montana share Coach of the Year honors. Rich collected his third regular-season title in the past four seasons this year, while Ewing led her team to just one win shy of a regular-season championship for a program that had finished in last place of the Big Sky standings in every season since 2023.
2026 Big Sky Softball Individual Award Winners
Player of the Year: Lafulafu Malepeai, Sacramento State
Pitcher of the Year: Marley Goluskin, Idaho State
Freshman of the Year: Kailee Mejia, Montana
Co-Top Newcomer of the Year: Carah Sweet, Montana/Madi Mendoza, Sacramento State
Co-Coach of the Year: Andrew Rich, Idaho State/Stef Ewing, Montana
First Team All-Big Sky
Catcher: Jenna Kearns, Idaho State*
First Base: Sydney Groves, Idaho State
Second Base: Katie Walling, Northern Colorado
Shortstop: Anna Cockhill, Montana
Third Base: Madison Evers-Lyles, Sacramento State
Outfield: Lafulafu Malepeai, Sacramento State*
Outfield: Alyssa Yee, Idaho State*
Outfield: Ava Brown, Idaho State
Pitcher: Marley Goluskin, Idaho State
Pitcher: Kasey Aguinaga, Idaho State
Pitcher/UTL: Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, Portland State
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Ella Gonzales, Northern Colorado
* - unanimous selection
Second Team All-Big Sky
Catcher: Shannon Garcia, Sacramento State
First Base: Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado
Second Base: Grace Lopez, Montana
Shortstop: Camryn McDonald, Idaho State
Third Base: Breanna Lutz, Portland State
Outfield: Jordan McMahon, Weber State
Outfield: KK Christie, Northern Colorado
Outfield: Saskia Raab, Sacramento State
Pitcher: Alexa Ortiz, Sacramento State^
Pitcher: Kennedie Bacon, Sacramento State^
Pitcher: Carah Sweet, Montana^
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Jojo Christiaens, Montana
^- three-way tie in voting
All-Big Sky Honorable Mention
Catcher: Jordan Hart, Weber State
First Base: Kailee Mejia, Montana
First Base: Apple Maldonado, Weber State
Second Base: Sadie Kirk, Weber State
Shortstop: Madi Mendoza, Sacramento State
Shortstop: Krista Francia, Northern Colorado
Third Base: Hayden Nelson, Northern Colorado
Outfield: Jaden Moore, Idaho State
Outfield: Mackenzie Bekofsky, Montana
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Kira Day, Idaho State
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Abigail Carsley, Portland State
Honorable Mention selections received at least 3 votes
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 (Big Sky Tournament)
Monday, May 4
Game 1 - #4 Montana vs #5 Weber State // 9:00 a.m.
Game 2 - #3 Sacramento State vs #6 Portland State // 11:30 a.m.
Game 3 – #1 Idaho State vs. Game 1 Winner // 2:00 p.m.
Game 4 – #2 Northern Colorado vs. Game 2 Winner // 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5
Game 5 - Game 2 Loser vs. Game 3 Loser (Loser Eliminated) // 11:00 a.m.
Game 6 - Game 1 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser (Loser Eliminated) // 1:30 p.m.
Game 7 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner // 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6
Game 8 – Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner (Loser Eliminated) // 12:00 p.m.
Game 9 – Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Winner (Loser Eliminated) // 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
Game 10 – Game 7 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner // 12:00 p.m.
Game 11 – If Necessary // 2:30 p.m.
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