@BearsSoftball Ends West Coast Trip at CSUN

Northridge, Calif - After more than a week in the California sunshine, the Bears Softball team's spring break comes to an end with a tournament at Cal State Northridge. UNC will face Quinnipiac, Bryant and the host school in two double-headers Friday and Saturday.

Scouting the Bears

• Erica Dick leads the team batting .361, including four home runs, five doubles and two triples.
• Rachel Johnson and Jordyn Wiatrak boast grand slams this season.
• Jayme Reddacliff's ERA continues to drop, now down to 3.31, and has only given up 17 walks in 97.1 innings pitched.
• Jordyn Wiatrak leads UNC with 49 total bases.

Scouting the Bobcats
• The Bobcats have hit 27 doubles so far in 2017.
• Quinnipiac has forced only 38 walks this season, while they have given free passes 48 times to opponents.
• In eight appearances, Abby Long boasts a 3.38 ERA and has struck out 15.
• The Bobcat defense has committed 41 errors in just 15 games.

Scouting the Matadors
• Taylor Glover leads the Matadors, batting .425 with three doubles and three home runs.
• In 10 starts, Dapne Pofek boasts a 2.03 ERA and a 6-3 record.
• CSUN is yet to record a pick off in 2017, but have been picked off only once themselves.
• In 24 game, the Matadors have stolen 35 bases on 43 attempts.

Scouting the Bulldogs
• The Bulldogs have been caught stealing nine times in 17 games.
• As a team, Bryant is batting .191 on the season.
• The Bryant pitching staff have struck out 41 opponents, while the Bulldogs have struck out 91 times offensively.
• Bryant has given up a total of 40 stolen bases this season.

Who to Watch For
Erica Dick -  Erica leads the Bears this season, batting .361 at the plate, including four home runs, five doubles and two triples. With 14 RBI on the season, Dick is just four RBI away from breaking yet another UNC school record. Melissa Marcovecchio hold the current record with 112 RBI.

Last time out
    Quinnipiac
Quinnipiac and Northern Colorado have never met in competition this season. Friday's game will be the first match-up between the Bears and the Bobcats.
    Bryant
UNC and Bryant have met twice in each program's history, with both meetings coming in 2012. The two schools split their match-up, Bears beating the Bulldogs, 15-2, and Bryant besting Northern Colorado, 10-7.
    Cal stat Northridge
Only once have the Matadors and the Bears met in competition. In 2009, CSUN bested the Bears by a margin of 10-1.
Player of the Week
For the first time all season, Northern Colorado boasts a Big Sky Conference Player of the Week. Rachel Johnson earned the honors for her monster performance over the weekend that included her first career grand slam.
Record Deal
Entering CSUN's tournament this weekend, Erica Dick is just four RBI away from breaking yet another UNC program record. Melissa Marcovecchio holds the current school record for career RBI with 112.
Having a "Grand" Ole Time
Both Rachel Johnson and Jojo Wiatrak notched grand slams over the weekend. The blast was the first career for each player. Wiatrak's rocket, came on the 13th pitch of her at-bat.
New Kids on the Block
Head coach Shana Easley has hired assistant coaches, Travis Owen and Kaelene Curry over the offseason. Owen arrives from a successful Radford program and Curry makes her second stint as part of UNC's staff, arriving from Sonoma State.
Just Enough
On Saturday against Sacred Heart, the Bears managed only two hits, both solo home runs, and still won the game. It was the lowest hit total during a win all season.
Early Advancement
Northern Colorado is hitting .449 in advancement situations and notched a season-high two sacrifice bunts in their win against UCSB. UNC has also avoided grounding into a double play in 12 straight games.
Building Momentum
After Monday's sweep of the Gauchos, the Bears have now hit the nine win mark, equalling their total from a season, needing just 25 games to do it.
Patient Hitting
In all but one game in 2017, Bear batters have drawn at least one walk. Only New Mexico, in their second game against UNC, held UNC to zero walks.
New Year New Staff
Head coach Shana Easley has hired assistant coaches, Travis Owen and Kaelene Curry over the offseason. Owen arrives from a successful Radford program and Curry makes her second stint as part of UNC's staff, arriving from Sonoma State.
New Kids on the Block
UNC adds three new faces to the program in 2017. Hunter Damico, Autumn Anderson and Sophia Taylor all arrive in Greeley looking to make an impact in their freshmen campaigns.
Seeing Triple
Last season, Northern Colorado and Erica Dick led the nation in triples per game by a team and by a player, respectively with .43 and .40.
Early Signing Success
UNC ventured out into four different states to sign new recruits during the early signing period in November. Natalie Joyner (Wash.), Mady Young (Kan.), Ally Steiner (Ariz.) and Emma Brockman (Ore.) will all arrive on campus next season.
Frequent Flyers
The Bears will spend the first month of the season traveling the Southwestern part of the United States. Tournaments in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas keep UNC busy before coming home on March 7 against Colorado State.
Record Watch
2017 could be a monumental year for Erica Dick. The senior ranks top-10 in UNC history in 10 career categories. Dick has already scored more runs than anyone in Bear history with 123 and counting.
Chasing a Legend
Head coach Shana Easley enters 2017 one win behind Jen Schunke for second all-time in UNC DI history. Easley is 26 wins from tying Linda Witt (88) who holds the most wins in the DI era.
Recent Renovations
On top of renaming Butler-Hancock Softball Field to Gloria Rodriguez Field, UNC Softball will welcome a brand new scoreboard and backstop. Renovations to the facility continue with eyes on new dugouts as the next project.

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Players Mentioned

Hunter Damico

Erica Dick

Rachel Johnson

Jayme Reddacliff

Sophia Taylor

Jordyn Wiatrak

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