Softball wraps up Lobo Classic with another win over Bryant

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- After taking a few innings to warm up Sunday, the Northern Colorado softball team got its bats going late in a 10-7 win over Bryant in the Bears' final game of the University of New Mexico Lobo Classic.

After finding themselves down two runs after the third inning, the Bears (8-3) scored nine runs between the fourth and fifth innings to take a lead they would never relinquish.

"I'm proud of the team," Northern Colorado coach Mark Montgomery said. "We had our struggles this weekend, but we rallied strong. We came out a little flat today, but we finished strong."

Senior Erin Wilkinson played a key role in Northern Colorado's offensive explosion -- smashing a two-run homer (her first) in the fourth inning and pounding out an RBI (her seventh) double in the fifth. She finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

Fellow senior Erin Geddis continued her productive tournament, too. She finished 3-for-4 on the day and with a team-high eight hits in 16 at-bats during the weekend, while scoring three runs and stealing four bases.

Mikayla Duffy got her second win of the tournament Sunday after entering the game in the fourth inning and throwing 1 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

Montgomery brought Duffy in after starter Kelci Cheney got the start and threw 3 2/3 innings while allowing two earned runs off five hits and four walks.

Cheney struck out five on the day.

With the win, Northern Colorado finished the tournament with a 3-2 record -- the second-straight time it has come home with a winning tournament record this season.

"It was just a good job today," Montgomery said. "But we have to learn from our mistakes this weekend and keep pressing and getting better going forward."

The more-than-a-month-long road trip continues for the Bears next weekend as they travel to Moraga, Calif., play in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference Crossover Tournament hosted by St. Mary's College. The Bears will begin play in that Friday, Feb. 24, against Sacramento State.