ISU’s Kearns earns NFCA national honor — second Bengal ever to do so
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POCATELLO — Idaho State’s Jenna Kearns is on a hot streak most can only dream of.
According to head coach Andrew Rich, following a trip to Sacramento State, where she went 0-for-6, Kearns decided she was willing to put in any extra work necessary to improve at the plate. To say she has done so would be an understatement of epic proportions.
Since that trip, and the beginning of April, the Highland High School alum has hit in all 11 games. During her hitting streak, Kearns is batting a crisp .588 (20-for-34) with six homers, 20 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
“She went to work. Hard,” Rich said after Friday’s doubleheader against Montana. “She put in the work, she put in the time that is needed to get her swing — she just needed to feel it again. … She’s one of the hottest hitters in the country. That’s not hyperbole, to say that, that’s true.”
Rich’s claims were validated Monday, when Kearns was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Player of the Week — becoming the second Bengal player ever to earn the honor, joining Kacie Burnett, who was named NFCA POTW on March 10, 2015.
In helping drive ISU to the Big Sky Conference regular season championship, Kearns kicked things up even further.
Over four games, she posted a .643 average (9-for-14) with three homers, 13 RBIs and six runs scored, with a 1.500 slugging percentage (meaning she averaged 1.5 bases per trip to the plate). Along the way, she tied a program and conference record with seven RBIs in a single game.
Kearns was also perfect defensively, converting all 14 of her chances in the field and throwing out the only attempted base stealer she saw.
Rich said, he is incredibly happy for Kearns, for earning this success through hard work — calling it “a reward” for her resolve.
“It’s been fun to see her have that success,” he said. “You always love when you see somebody who goes to work, and wants it that much, to have the success after that. You can’t beat that.”
Kearns and the Bengals face the Boise State Broncos Wednesday before making a trip to Portland State this weekend to finish their regular season schedule.
The Big Sky Conference Tournament will begin in Greeley, Colo. on May 6. ISU will be a heavy favorite in the tournament, as the Bengals currently carry an 11-1 record in conference play — the lone loss coming on March 29 at Sac State.
ISU is currently riding an 11-game winning streak — which coincides perfectly with Kearns’ red hot bat.
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