The Montana softball team earned a split on April 10 as it began its three-game series against Sacramento State at Shea Stadium in central California. The Grizzlies won the first game 9-6, breaking several losing streaks, but fell to the Hornets 9-3 in the second matchup.
This result is significant for Montana, as the team snapped a 14-game losing streak to Sacramento State and recorded its first win at Shea Stadium since 2017. The Grizzlies had also lost their last 20 regular-season games against the Hornets dating back to 2018.
“To be able to come here, to their house, given the history of these two program and how much they’ve dominated our program, I think it’s a statement win for us,” said coach Stef Ewing. In Game 1, Anna Cockhill tied the score with her ninth home run of the season before Montana’s offense erupted for seven runs in the fifth inning. Mackenzie Bekofsky drew a bases-loaded walk, Brianna Gutierrez hit a grand slam—Montana’s second in seven days—and Chloe Saxton added a solo home run. “I loved the way we came out in Game 1. I love the way we’re swinging the bats,” Ewing said.
Rain delayed play by nearly an hour and a half during Game 1. Carah Sweet returned after the delay and secured her sixth win of the season with relief from Kaiana Kong. “Carah was rolling and doing great, then the long rain delay happened. You never know what’s going to happen with a pitcher after that,” Ewing said. “Carah and (Kaiana) did a great job.”
In Game 2, Sacramento State took an early lead with three runs in the first inning and four more in later frames to secure victory despite RBI singles from Cockhill, Kailee Mejia, and Jessica Cherms for Montana. Brooklynn Braun pitched two hitless innings of relief for Montana.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s finale scheduled at noon Mountain Time, Ewing said: “We’ve got to clean some things up for tomorrow. We have to play a little bit better defense. We know it’s going to be a battle. I anticipate it being a high-scoring affair.”
