The Montana Griz softball team will host the Idaho State Bengals this weekend in the first ever home games for the inaugural program. 

University of Montana Athletic Director Kent Haslam said work on the new softball complex near the corner of South and Higgins on the South Campus is progressing at breakneck speed to prepare for the weekend.

"It's a frantic finish here at the end to get the facility completed, but it looks like we'll be fine to start our home season on Saturday with a double-header against Idaho State who was picked to win the conference and are the defending conference champions," Haslam said. "We're excited to get softball started here at the University of Montana."

Haslam said the new facility will differ from a traditional softball field.

"It's got an all-turf infield, even the dirt is brown turf," he said. "We did that so there won't be any mud if it rains, and we can just sweep it off when it snows. It's a unique constriction with the bullpens directly behind the dugout, so people can walk right by and see the pitchers and catchers warming up. We also have a really nice three-bay indoor batting cage. It's a state of the art facility that's designed for the climate that we have here in Montana."

This is the beginning of Big Sky Conference play for both Montana (4-20) and Idaho State (14-12). The Griz will play a doubleheader against the Bengals on Saturday, with the first game beginning at 1:00 p.m. The teams will face-off again at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and children under 18. UM students with Griz cards get in free.

 

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