POCATELLO, Idaho - For the first time in her career, ISU freshman pitcher Haley Rainey has been named the Big Sky Conference Pitcher of the Week.
The Bengal freshman went 2-0 this weekend and led Idaho State to their first win over Boise State since 2016.
In her first start of the weekend, Rainey threw a career-best three-hitter win against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. In picking the win, Rainey only allowed one run with 0 errors, two walks and struck out eight Gaucho players.
Rainey was instrumental in the Bengal's win against Boise State. The Broncos were 9-1 coming into the game against the Bengals.
After 31 BSU batters faced, Rainey only allowed five hits and three runs. She had 7 strikeouts.
Rainey made the defensive play of the game. In the bottom of the seventh with bases loaded and two outs, trailing by one. The Boise State batter hit a hard come-backer to Rainey. The freshman pitcher put her body in front of the ball, and after blocking it, tracked it down and made the clutch throw to first to end the game.
Rainey finished the 2022 Gaucho Classic with a 1.10 ERA and a 2-0 record. In 16.1 innings pitched she had 16 strikeouts and only allowed four runs for an opposing hitting percentage of just .161.
Rainey and the Bengals are back in action this week as they head to Stockton, Calif. to play in the Libby Matson Tournament.
