Northern Colorado Takes Nightcap to Split Softball Doubleheader with Utah Valley State

Game 1 - Box Score | Game 2 - Box Score

GREELEY, Colo. - The University of Northern Colorado softball team had its trio of seniors make a difference in the second game of a doubleheader split with Utah Valley State.

Utah Valley State scored a 10-0 five-inning win in game one, but game two saw Northern Colorado tally a 5-1 victory. Northern Colorado is now 11-24 on the season, while Utah Valley State is 11-32-1 this year.

GAME ONE
The Wolverines jumped all over the Bears in the first game of the doubleheader. Utah Valley State's leadoff hitter Kelli Wilkins led off the game with a double. She was sacrificed to third and scored on a sac fly from Rachel Hartgrove.

Wilkins proved to be unstoppable in the contest as she went 4-for-4 with two runs and a run batted in.

The single run in the first proved to be more than enough for the victory. However, Utah Valley State was just getting started. The Wolverines added four runs in the second and then four more runs in the third inning to take a commanding 9-0 lead after only three innings of play. During the time it took the Wolverines to tally nine runs, Northern Colorado had only one hit - a leadoff single from sophomore Kelsey Dumler.

UVSC's Jackie Roberts (7-11) earned the complete game victory by limiting the Bears to two hits. Dumler, UNC's starting pitcher, gave up 12 hits and 10 runs (eight earned) in taking the loss and dropping to 6-15 on the season.

GAME TWO
The Bears honored its three seniors between the doubleheader and it seemed to inspire the trio in the nightcap. Nicole Martinez, Stephani Miller and Whitney Platten all played major roles in helping the Bears to a 5-1 win.

Martinez jump started the Bears' offense by scoring the first run of game two. Martinez singled with one out in the second and then scored on an RBI double that was ripped down the left field line from sophomore Ashley Martinosky.

After Utah Valley State tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the second, it was Miller's time to shine. Miller drove a two-run homer over the left-center wall to put the Bears back on top, 3-1.

Miller was also working her magic in the pitching circle. Miller struck out a career-high nine batters and only gave up one run. Miller improved to 4-8 on the season by gaining the victory.

The final senior Platten notched three doubles and in doing so, set the UNC single-season doubles record with 14. Platten went 3-for-3 in the game and scored two runs.

NOTES: The two teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. at the UNC Softball Field ... the teams have split six games this season ... Saturday was also Parent's Day and the team honored each member's parents between games of the doubleheader.