Softball Forges a Split on Opening Day of UTEP Invitational

Feb. 24, 2007

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

EL PASO, Texas - The University of Northern Colorado softball found its offense in time for a victory over the University of Buffalo in the opener of the UTEP Invitational on Friday, but later ran into a Wisconsin team on an offensive surge of its own, and ended the day with a split.

Against Buffalo (0-6), the Bears exploded for 12 runs on as many hits to win 12-2, snapping a five-game scoreless streak.

Alyse Kochenberger paced the Bears (2-10) with a 2 for 4 performance that included four RBI. She drove in a pair of runs in her team's breakout fifth-run fifth inning with a one-out single to right field, and two more with another single to right in the sixth.

Laura Christianson and Ashley Geist each drove in two runs.

Shea Carpenter (1-6) picked up her first victory of the season with a six inning, five-strikeout performance. She walked four and allowed eight hits.

In the nightcap against the Badgers, the Bears were unable to mount any significant rallies in a 17-0 loss.

Wisconsin's pitching staff managed to record all but one out via strikeouts.

Perhaps the Bears' best chance came in the third inning when Morgan Dahlman reached base on a passed ball after striking out. Christianson followed with what would be the Bears only hit of the game - a single to left field - advancing Dahlman to second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs. However, Wisconsin pitcher Eden Brock struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.

Northern Colorado continues play at the tournament Saturday with a 12:30 p.m. game against Utah, followed by a 2:30 p.m. contest against the host Miners.