Galasso Named Big Sky MVP; Slagle Big Sky Co-Newcomer of the Year

POCATELLO — For the second time in three years Vicky Galasso is the Big Sky Conference MVP. The Bengals have won the Big Sky MVP award all three years as Hailey Breakwell won the honor in 2014. Sophie Slaglewas also named the Big Sky Conference Co-Newcomer of the Year. The Bengals had eight players named to all-conference teams with four earning first-team honors. The all-conference awards were voted on by Big Sky coaches.

First-team all-conference went to Galasso, Hailey Breakwell, Kacie Burnett and Ashlyn Ames. Galasso is one of only two players in the conference to earn first-team All-Big Sky all three years. Slagle earned second-team accolades while Maddy Hickman, Micheala Taylor, Ames and Sarah Hayes earned honorable mention honors.

Galasso hit .455 in Big Sky Conference play in 55 bats. She had 25 hits, eight home runs, 32 RBIs and was walked 23 times. Galasso finished the 2015 regular season with a .434 average, 18 homers and 70 RBIs. She was walked 39 times and scored 50 runs. Galasso earned the espnW National Softball Player of the Week earlier in the season and she has been named the Big Sky Player of the Week twice.

In conference play Slagle was 10-2 with a 2.62 era in 66.2 innings. She started 12 games and tossed three shutouts. Conference opponents only hit .246 off the Bengal junior. Slagle finished the regular season with an overall record of 17-8 in 154.2 innings of work. She struck out 78 batters and pitched 15 complete games.

Burnett hit .455 in league and was a perfect 15-15 stealing bases. She played and started in all 21 games while tallying 33 hits, one home run and eight RBIs. For the season, Burnett led the Bengal offense with a .460 average (75-163) and she stole 37 bases on 38 attempts. Burnett became the first Bengal to earn national recognition this year as she was named the NFCA National Player of the Week on March 10.

Breakwell hit .348 while playing all 21 conference games at short stop. She finished league play with two home runs and 26 RBIs. Breakwell hit .364 for the season with five home runs and 47 RBIs.

Ames earned first-team all-conference at the pitcher/utility position and honorable mention all-league as a pitcher. The ISU freshman hit .485 in conference play with one homer and 14 RBIs. She was 16-33 at the plate. In the circle Ames was 6-1 with a 2.77 era in 48 innings of work. Ames finished the 2015 regular season with a 10-4 record in 103.2 innings.

Hayes hit .354 in Big Sky Conference play and was a perfect 6-6 stealing bases. Hickman hit .321 with five homers and 19 RBIs while Taylor hit .302 with while starting every game at second base.

The Bengals open the ICCU Big Sky Conference Tournament at Miller Ranch Stadium on May 7 at 1 p.m. vs. Southern Utah.

Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics