Recap: @bearssoftball Uses Aggressive Base Running to Top UC-Davis, After Dropping Earlier Game

Monday, March 12

Davis, CA

3 pm

University of Northern Colorado

UC-Davis

Northern Colorado

UC Davis

Photo by: Cecil Conley

3/12/2018 9:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Northern Colorado split the season series against the Aggies after losing the suspended game from Friday and winning the evening game

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

DAVIS, Calif.- After resuming the first game against UC-Davis after it was suspended for darkness, Northern Colorado softball dropped a 2-1 game against the Aggies in nine innings. Following that loss, UNC rebounded with a 1-0 victory over UC-Davis in game two of the day to close out the Aggie Invitational.

Game 1(resumed in the 5^th inning from Friday)

On Friday, Lauren Paige was in the circle for UNC and faced off against the Aggies' Katie Kibby. Both pitchers were controlling the other team's lineup, allowing few baserunners between either of them.

UC-Davis would get a single in the first inning off of Paige, but would have limited opportunities after that. The Aggies managed a hit in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, but Paige was not letting them advance them any farther.

Kibby was equally as dominate, allowing a walk to Kaley Garcia in the fourth and a double to Jordyn Wiatrak in the fifth, but that was the extent of the Bears offense.

The game was suspended after five innings on Friday due to darkness and the teams resumed play on Monday before their regularly scheduled game. After play resumed, both pitchers picked up where they left off and forced the game to go to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Emma Brockmann singled to second base to score Wiatrak, who had been placed at second base. The Bears picked up two hits in the inning, but could only manufacture one run.

UC-Davis tied the game on an RBI single from Alyse Rojas, and the two teams would now move into the ninth inning with the score tied at one.

UNC could not get any runs in the top of the ninth and the Aggies had an opportunity to end the game in the bottom of the inning. Ashley Lotoszynski doubled into left field to score the winning run and gave UC-Davis the 2-1 win.

Game 2

Valerie Vidal was back in the circle for UNC, looking to give the team a winning record for the weekend. She went against Brooke Yanez for the Aggies and like the first game, the two pitchers were locked in a pitcher's duel.

UNC had Madi Schmidt and Lauren Paige reach base in the first inning, but they could not be brought in to score. Kaley Garcia would lead off the top of the second with a single, but Yanez again limited the Bears ability to advance the runner.

In the top of the fifth, the Bears were threatening after Kenzie Kudrna walked to lead off the inning. Sophia Taylor would reach on a fielder's choice and an error would allow Kudrna to stay on base. Mady Young would also reach on a fielder's choice, but Kurdrna was tagged out at third and the opportunity was missed.

Vidal was her typical dominate self from the circle, allowing the Aggies only two hits over the course of the game.

The Bears would break the tie in the top of the seventh inning with aggressive base running from both Kudrna and Schmidt. Kudrna lead off the inning with a single to left field and she would then proceed to steal second base. Schmidt would single to left to move Kudrna to third, and would then steal second base to keep the pressure on Yanez. Kudrna would then swipe home base, while Schmidt was caught in a rundown, although she would be safe at second base. The run from Kudrna would give UNC the 1-0 lead. Vidal would come on in the bottom of the seventh to close out the Aggies for the 1-0 win.

Northern Colorado finished it time at the Aggie Invitational with a 4-2 record.

In their words

Shana Easley, Head Coach
"After coming up short in extra innings of game one, I was pleased with our team's response by trusting in what we can control and not getting too frustrated with the past. With the way both teams were playing we knew the first team to take advantage of a mistake would likely win and we were ready to put pressure on their defense. Pitching and defense were solid and Madi and Kenzie were able to create chaos on the bases that helped us in the game."

Notes

Valerie Vidal pitcher her 11^th complete game to earn her 10^th win of the season against UC-Davis. Vidal pitched seven innings, with two hits, three strikeouts and one walk. For the tournament, Vidal had a 0.97 ERA with a 3-1 record and four complete games, along with 19 strikeouts and five walks.
Lauren Paige is credited with the complete game against UC-Davis, pitching eight innings, allowing six hits and no earned runs, with one strikeout.
Northern Colorado went 6-for-8 in stolen base attempt this weekend, with Kenzie Kudruna leading the team with two. The Bears have recorded 23 stolen bases in 32 attempts this season.

Next Up
Northern Colorado will travel to Lawrence, Kan. for the Rock Chalk Challenge (3/15-3-18) to play six games against host Kansas, Murray State, Western Illinois, UMKC, and Saint Louis.