Idaho State Softball Wins Second Consecutive Big Sky Regular Season Title in Pocatello
Bengals Clinch Championship With 8-2 Victory Over Montana
The Idaho State University softball team secured its second consecutive Big Sky Conference regular season championship Saturday in Pocatello, defeating the Montana Grizzlies 8-2 to cap another dominant conference run for the Bengals program.
The victory, played at home in Pocatello, delivered Idaho State its second straight regular season crown and locked in a significant reward for the program: the Bengals will host the Big Sky Tournament again next season, keeping the postseason spotlight on Southeast Idaho.
The win was a complete team effort, highlighted by standout individual performances from both the offensive and pitching sides of the game.
Groves and Goluskin Lead the Way for Idaho State
First baseman Sydney Groves provided the offensive punch in the championship-clinching game, going 1-for-4 but delivering when it counted most. Groves launched a home run and drove in four runs, proving instrumental in building the Bengals’ lead against the Grizzlies.
In the circle, pitcher Marley Goluskin went the full distance, throwing all seven innings for Idaho State. Goluskin allowed two earned runs, walked three batters, and recorded one strikeout in what proved to be a complete-game effort to close out the regular season title.
The 8-2 final score was a convincing margin for a program that has now established itself as the standard-bearer in Big Sky Conference softball over the past two seasons. Back-to-back regular season championships signal a program operating at a high level, and the ability to host the conference tournament again gives the Bengals a meaningful home-field advantage heading into postseason play.
Hosting Rights Add to the Achievement
For Idaho State and its supporters in Pocatello, the tournament hosting designation carries weight beyond just the competitive advantage. Hosting the Big Sky Tournament brings conference teams and fans to the community, supports local businesses, and elevates the visibility of Idaho State University athletics in Southeast Idaho.
ISU competes as a member of the Big Sky Conference, a league that spans several Western states. Winning the regular season title — and doing so in back-to-back years — places the Bengals among the elite programs in the conference and reflects well on the university’s athletic department and coaching staff.
The achievement also comes at a time when Idaho State University has faced scrutiny in other areas of campus life. The university has been the subject of recent legal proceedings, including a federal jury ruling that found ISU retaliated against a Black pharmacy student, resulting in a $160,000 damages award. In a separate but related proceeding, a jury ruled ISU retaliated against a former student based on race. The softball program’s on-field success offers a positive moment for the institution amid those broader challenges.
For the athletes and coaches directly involved, however, Saturday’s win in Pocatello represents the culmination of a full conference season of competition. Claiming the title on home soil, in front of the Idaho State faithful, adds meaning to an already significant accomplishment.
What Comes Next
With the Big Sky regular season title secured, Idaho State softball now turns its attention to the Big Sky Conference Tournament, which the Bengals will host for the second consecutive year. A strong tournament run could position the program for further postseason opportunities at the national level. The Bengals will enter the tournament as the top seed and with the confidence of a program that has proven it can win consistently at the conference level. Fans in Pocatello and across Southeast Idaho will have the opportunity to watch the Bengals compete for a conference tournament crown on their home turf. For statewide sports and news coverage, readers can follow updates at Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.