TEMPE, Ariz. - The College of Idaho opened the 2026 season in emphatic fashion Friday, rolling past Park-Gilbert (AZ) 18-3 at Tempe Diablo Stadium in game one of a four-game series.
After Park-Gilbert took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third, the Yotes answered immediately and took control for good with a four-run fourth inning. Connor Olsen and Jack Ryan worked walks to set the table before Evan Brown delivered a two-run single to center to put The College of Idaho back in front, 3-2. A hit by pitch brought home another run and a wild pitch tacked on one more as the Yotes pushed the margin to 5-2.
The College of Idaho broke the game wide open in the eighth with a nine-run outburst that turned a four-run game into a runaway. James Hull opened the inning with a bunt single and the Yotes kept the pressure on, getting RBI singles from Cody Guy and Caden Casagrande. Austin Moon drew a bases-loaded walk, Logan Dreher was hit by a pitch to force in a run and Ryan walked to drive in another before Brown capped the inning with a three-run double to left center. Skye Palmer added an RBI on a fielder's choice as the Yotes sent 14 to the plate and surged ahead, 14-2.
The Yotes added four more runs in the ninth. Hull delivered an RBI single and Palmer drew a walk to bring home another before Daniel Olson lined an RBI single. The final run scored on a wild pitch to complete the 18-run opening-day statement.
Brown paced the offense with five RBI, while Hull finished with two hits and two RBI. Palmer drove in three runs and Guy and Casagrande added two RBI apiece as The College of Idaho collected 10 hits and drew nine walks.
On the mound, Jackson Cummins worked the first three innings before the bullpen settled in. Jakob Cummins earned the win with three scoreless innings, allowing no hits, and Hunter Smith finished the final three innings to close out the season-opening victory.
The College of Idaho and Park-Gilbert continue the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. MT.