Bears Advance To Championship With Thrilling Win Over Jacks

April 29, 2006

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GREELEY, Colo. - Senior Jessica Milligan came up big for the University of Northern Colorado softball team for the second consecutive day, as she threw a one-run complete game in leading the Bears to a 2-1 win over the South Dakota State Jacks in the Division I Independent Tournament at Butler-Hancock Field on Saturday.

With the win, the Bears (12-33) will now play in the Division I Independent Championship tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. against the North Dakota State Bison, who defeated Northern Colorado earlier in the day, 7-4. The Bison beat Utah Valley 2-1 to advance to the championship.

The game between the Jacks and Bears proved to be a classic pitcher's duel between SDSU's Kim Westendorf and Jessica Milligan.

South Dakota State (20-32) got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth inning when Steph Kuhl hit an RBI single to right field, driving in Kiley Schwedhelm.

But Northern Colorado answered in the top of the sixth when Casey Hogue reached on a walk and Kelsey Dumler drove her in with a triple to right center. Ashley Geist then drove in Dumler for what proved to be the winning run with an infield single.

Milligan (6-12) slammed the door on the Jacks in the next two innings, retiring six of the seven batters she faced.

Westendorf was equally as strong for SDSU, hurling the complete game and allowing two runs on four hits.

South Dakota State will now face Utah Valley State tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the consolation game.