Idaho State University won the 2026 Big Sky Conference tournament championship on May 7, defeating Sacramento State with a 16-8 run-rule victory at Direct Communications Field at Miller Ranch Stadium. The Bengals will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
The win is significant as it marks Idaho State’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, highlighting a breakthrough for the program after several near-misses in previous years. The team scored in each of its first four innings and dominated offensively throughout the tournament.
“It felt unreal in the moment, but it’s extremely real and I’m extremely happy,” Head Coach Andrew Rich said. “To finally have this monkey off of our back, because we’ve been so close so many times, and to be able to finally say, ‘Hey, we’re going to the NCAA tournament,’ is an unreal feeling.”
The Bengals finished with three consecutive run-rule victories during the tournament, outscoring opponents by a combined margin of 41-16 and scoring double-digit runs in every game. They set or tied several records along the way, including tying for most home runs in a single Big Sky Tournament with eleven across three games.
Rich praised his senior class and noted strong community support: “They were locked in. They knew what the goal was this week. They knew what the plan was. They stuck to the plan all week. They were not going to be stopped,” he said about his seniors.
Key performances included Ava Brown’s six RBI game with a home run and Jenna Kearns’ two hits including a solo home run. Jaden Moore added three RBI while Camryn McDonald reached base four times without an official at-bat.
After their historic win, Idaho State will await its NCAA Tournament destination on Selection Sunday before beginning play next Friday. Rich concluded: “We’re gonna enjoy the heck out of the next few days… This team’s got more in the tank for sure.”
