POCATELLO, Idaho (May 7, 2026) – Idaho State captured its first tournament title in program history on Thursday afternoon, as the Bengals capped off a 3-0 week at the Big Sky Softball Championship in Pocatello, Idaho.
Idaho State, who won the regular-season crown, run-ruled all three opponents on its way to a Big Sky title. The Bengals downed Montana and Sacramento State in the tournament, with a 10-1 win over the Grizzlies and a 15-7 victory over the Hornets before taking down the foes in green again in Thursday's championship final, 16-8.
The Bengals were led by Big Sky Tournament MVP Ava Brown, who had six RBIs alone in Thursday's championship game. Brown finished the tournament with eight RBIs, five hits, and a pair of home runs. Idaho State closed out the tournament with 11 home runs overall on the week in Pocatello.
Idaho State is the first team to sweep softball titles since Northern Colorado in 2024.
The Bengals will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Softball Tournament, with the field officially being announced on Sunday, May 10 at 5:00 p.m. MT on ESPN2.
2026 Big Sky Softball All-Tournament Team
Ava Brown, Idaho State (MVP)
Camryn McDonald, Idaho State
Kira Day, Idaho State
Jenna Kearns, Idaho State
Jaden Moore, Idaho State
Marley Goluskin, Idaho State
Madison Evers-Lyles, Sacramento State
Saskia Raab, Sacramento State
Madi Mendoza, Sacramento State
Anna Cockhill, Montana
Grace Lopez, Montana
2026 Big Sky Softball Schedule (Big Sky Tournament)
Monday, May 4
Game 1 - #4 Montana 8, Weber State 3 //
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Game 2 - #3 Sacramento State 11, #6 Portland State 1 //
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Game 3 – #1 Idaho State 10, #4 Montana 1 //
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Game 4 – #3 Sacramento State 6, #2 Northern Colorado 5 //
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Tuesday, May 5
Game 5 - #4 Montana 9, #6 Portland State 3 //
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Game 6 - #2 Northern Colorado 12, #5 Weber State 3 //
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Game 7 – #1 Idaho State 15, #3 Sacramento State 7 //
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Wednesday, May 6
Game 8 – #4 Montana 11, #2 Northern Colorado 7 //
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Game 9 – #3 Sacramento State 10, #4 Montana 7 //
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Thursday, May 7
Game 10 – #1 Idaho State 16, #3 Sacramento State 8 //
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