POCATELLO, Idaho – The reigning Big Sky Conference regular-season champion Bengal softball team has announced its schedule for the 2024 season. The schedule gives the Bengals a full non-conference slate of tournaments and opponents as they prepare to defend their title.
The upcoming season will be capped with Idaho State University playing host to the 2024 Big Sky Softball Tournament at Miller Ranch Stadium, more information will be provided on the tournament as it approaches.
Head Softball coach Andrew Rich gave his thoughts on the Bengals' upcoming slate of games.
"This will be our toughest schedule in my three years here so far. We have some great early season tests, play a team that was in the World Series last year in Utah and have some really exciting home matchups with our conference and non-conference matchups. I think our community will be really excited to see Boise State and BYU here in Pocatello and we are hoping to have some greats crowds out for our 13 home games and then especially for the Big Sky Tournament in May."
The 2024 Bengal Softball season kicks off Feb. 8 in San Diego, Calif as the Bengals take on San Diego. The first tournament of the season kicks off February 9-11 in LaJolla, Calif., as the Bengals face off against CBU, UC San Diego and Farleigh Dickinson at the LaJolla Invitational. Next Up, the Bengals head to the Lone Star State to play in the Tarleton State Tournament in Stephenville, Texas. The Bengals will face off against, Tarleton State, Buffalo, Mississippi Valley State and Lafayette. After the Texas trip, the Bengals have a one-off game against Utah Tech in St. George.
Headed to the end of February, the Orange and Black head to Phoenix and Tempe for the Grand Canyon / Arizona State Tournament. The Bengals will face off against Utah Valley, Grand Canyon, Texas State, Arizona State and Ohio State.
Headed into March, the Bengals head to Riverside, Calif., for the California Baptist Tournament March 1-3. The Bengals will face Cal Poly, St. John's and California Baptist. After the California trip, the Bengals are back in the mountain west for a tournament at Colorado State. The Bengals will play Maine, Drake and Colorado State over March 8-10.
The final non-conference tournament of the season takes place March 14-15 in Boise, Idaho where the Bengals are set to take on Boise State and St. Thomas (MN). March 19 the Idaho State Bengals return home to Miller Ranch Stadium to host the Utah State Aggies at 2:00 PM. Headed back on the road, the Bengals face off against St. Mary's March 21 and Santa Clara March 23.
March 29-30 is the start of the Bengals 2024 Big Sky Conference play. Idaho State opens conference hosting Portland State. The next week, April 5-6 Idaho State is host to the Sacramento State Hornets for a three-game homestand. April 12-13 is the Bengals' first conference road trip as the Orange and Black head north to take on the Montana Griz in Missoula. Then, April 16, the Bengals have a one-off game against the BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah. Back on the road for conference, the Bengals head to Northern Colorado for the second-to-last conference games April 19-20.
On April 21, the Bengals head south to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes. Idaho State is then back home April 24 to host the Boise State Broncos in Pocatello. April 26-27 the Bengals host the Weber State Wildcats in the final Big Sky series of the regular season.
The season isn't over for the Bengals yet. Idaho State closes out the 2024 regular season hosting BYU on April 30 and Utah Valley on May 1. May 8-11, Idaho State University is host to the 2024 Big Sky Conference Softball Championships. The Bengals will look to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament against the best the Big Sky Has to offer.
