Softball Closes Out Series Against New Mexico

Sunday, March 6

Albuquerque, N.M.

11:00 AM

University of Northern Colorado

3-11

University of New Mexico

11-7

Northern Colorado

New Mexico

3/6/2016 5:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

UNC lost game 3 on Sunday, 10-1, in five innings

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Northern Colorado finished out their first three-game series of the season on Sunday, taking a 10-1 loss to the New Mexico Lobos.

"Overall offensively, we were still making solid contact on the ball," head coach Shana Easley said. "Which made their defense work for good plays. That's what we were hoping to continue today. We are definitely looking forward to our home opener with UNO on Tuesday."

Despite picking up seven hits throughout the game, UNC was only able to score one run (by Erica Dick).

Madi Schmidt singled to second base in the first Bear at-bat of the game, but would be out at second after attempting to advance on a dropped ball on a pick-off attempt. Sarah Fitzherbert would add another hit for UNC in the third inning, singling to second base. She'd be caught stealing second, however, to end the inning as the third out.

The fourth inning was the biggest for Northern Colorado, starting with Dick homering to right field to bring in the sole run of the game for the UNC team. Lauren Paige would respond with a single, and a double by Rachel Johnson would put runners on second and third. The two would be stranded, unfortunately, with the third out.

Two more hits occurred for UNC in the fifth and final inning, starting with freshman Jordyn Wiatrak singling through the left side in the first at bat of the inning. Fitzherbert would reach on a fielder's choice, a play that would have Wiatrak out at second. Kenzi Kudrna would single up the middle to advance Fitzherbert to second, but two more outs would strand them both and close out the game.

Chandler Elsner was the starting pitcher for UNC, going two innings before Valerie Vidal took over. Vidal would only end up pitching a third of an inning, however, before Jayme Reddacliff was brought in to close out the game. Elsner picked up the only strikeout of the game, but her three earned runs would give her the loss overall.

The Bears are back in action this Tuesday, March 8, when they host their home opener double-header against Nebraska-Omaha. The first game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. MT start, with the second game starting shortly after the end of the first. UNC hasn't defeated Nebraska-Omaha since the program was reinstated, a series that spans all the way back to 1999 and consists of 13 games. The double header last season (at UNO) resulted in a 4-2 loss and an 8-0 loss for UNC.

For more information on the Bears this season, check out UNCBears.com, visit their official Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter at @BearsSoftball.