University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, March 15
Lawrence, KS
2 pm
University of Northern Colorado
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Kansas
Photo by: Rob Trubia
Preview: @bearssoftball Faces Kansas, Others in the Rock Chalk Challenge
3/15/2018 11:02:00 AM | Softball
Northern Colorado will play six games this weekend in Lawrence
GREELEY, Colo.- Northern Colorado softball will travel to Lawrence, Kansas. this weekend for the Rock Chalk Challenge, hosted by Kansas University. UNC (14-13) will play six games against Murray State, Western Illinois, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Saint Louis, and two against host Kansas.
The Bears went 4-2 in the Aggie Invitational last weekend, beating Utah State twice by a score of 3-2 in both games. UNC would split games against UC-Davis (1-2, 1-0) and defeated Valparaiso 6-2, while losing to Nevada, 1-2.
Valerie Vidal continues to be the ace for the UNC pitching staff and had another strong weekend in the circle. Vidal recorded one shutout with a 3-1 record and a 0.97 ERA in 29 innings pitched, also recording 19 strikeouts and five walks. On the season, Vidal has a 10-5 record with a 1.78 ERA in 102.1 innings pitched and 11 complete games, including four shutouts. She has 74 strikeouts to only 26 walks issued overall.
Lauren Paige also had a productive weekend in Davis, Calif, with a .308 batting average, two home runs, four RBIs, and a .846 batting average. Paige walked six times and was hit by a pitch twice to add to her .571 on-base percentage. The weekend was consistent with Paige's overall performance, as she has a .319 batting average this season, with three home runs and nine RBIs. Along with being hitter, Paige was lights out for UNC in the circle, allowing no earned runs in 11 innings of work with one complete game. Paige was 0-1 for the weekend after errors cost UNC the loss against UC-Davis
Kenzie Kudrna stepped up her game in the Aggie Invitational and would give UNC the winning run against UC-Davis, when she stole home. Kudrna hit .300 over the weekend, scoring two runs and stealing two bases, while drawing three walks. For the season, Kudrna has a .230 average and four stolen bases in five attempts.
Northern Colorado will have an opportunity to get experience against a range of teams over the weekend.
Scouting Kansas
The Jayhawks will host the Rock Chalk Challenge this weekend and has a 17-5 overall record this season. Recently, Kansas went 1-2 in the Jayhawk Invitational with losses against Northern Iowa (4-8) and Nebraska (1-5), while defeating UMKC 3-2
Harli Ridling has lead the Jayhawk lineup with a .414 batting average and also is tied for the team lead with four home runs, along with 15 RBIs. Andie Formby has been the main starter for the Jayhawks with a 7-2 record in 70.1 innings pitched and has a 2.79 ERA.
The Bears and Jayhawks last met in 2015, with Kansas winning 5-0 in the Jayahwk Invitational.
Scouting Murray State
Murray State has an 8-13 record so far this season and recently hosted the Racer Classic, where they went 2-1. The Racers picked up wins against Rhode Island (2-0) and an extra innings victory over Oakland (7-6) in nine innings.
Sierra Gilmore has been productive for Murray State, with a .317 batting average, along with two home runs and 13 RBI's. In the circle, Olivia Suski comes in with 2.94 ERA in 47.2 innings of work in 11 appearances, including nine starts.
Northern Colorado and Murray will play the first game against each other in program history.
Scouting Western Illinois
Western Illinois goes into the Rock Chalk Challenge with a 6-17 record and participated in the Wichita State Tournament last weekend. The Fighting Leathernecks were swept in the tournament with two losses against both Missouri State and Wichita State.
Western Illinois has solid production out of its lineup, with Hailey Duwa recording a .323 batting average and 10 RBIs, both of which are second on the team. Emily Ira has been one of the main starters for the Leathernecks, with a 3.71 ERA and a 2-6 record in 60.1 innings pitched.
UNC played Western Illinois back in 2014 in a two game series, however one game was cancelled. Western Illinois blanked the Bears 8-0 in a five inning game in the one game that they did play.
Scouting University of Missouri-Kansas City
UMKC is 5-14 this season after its most recent games in the Jayhawk Invitational last weekend. The Roos went 1-3 in the tournament with losses to Kansas, Tulsa, and Green Bay, while defeating Northern Iowa.
Olivia Fluehr has been the major contributor for the Roos lineup with a .320 batting average, five home runs and 20 RBIs. The pitching staff has struggled for UMKC, with Lynsey Conner at the top of the rotation with a 4.95 ERA and a 3-6 record.
Northern Colorado and UMKC last played in 2015, with the Roos topping the Bears 12-9 in the Jayhawk Invitational.
Scouting Saint Louis
The Billikens have a 10-9 record this season, with their most recent games in the EKU Invitational. Saint Louis went 4-1 in the tournament with wins over Northern Illinois, Western Carolina, and Akron twice.
Sadie Wise leads the Billikins with a .387 batting average, along with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Kaylea Chappelle has been the best pitcher for the Billikins, with a 3-3 record and a 3.00 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched.
UNC and Saint Louis played in 2015 with the Billikins beating the Bears 11-10 that was also a part of the Jayhawk Invitational.
Following the Bears
Northern Colorado takes on host Kansas today at 2 P.M. (MT). The Bears will play Murray State on Friday, March 16th at 9 A.M. and then follow that game up against Western Illinois at 11:30 A.M. On Saturday March 17th, UNC plays Kansas again at 2 P.M. and UMKC at 7 P.M. The Bears conclude their Rock Chalk Challenge on Sunday, March 18th against Saint Louis at 11:30 A.M.
Live stats and audio are available for both of UNC's games against Kansas provided by KUAthletics.com. Live stats are available for the other four games this weekend and follow the games on Twitter with @bearssoftball. Â
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The Bears went 4-2 in the Aggie Invitational last weekend, beating Utah State twice by a score of 3-2 in both games. UNC would split games against UC-Davis (1-2, 1-0) and defeated Valparaiso 6-2, while losing to Nevada, 1-2.
Valerie Vidal continues to be the ace for the UNC pitching staff and had another strong weekend in the circle. Vidal recorded one shutout with a 3-1 record and a 0.97 ERA in 29 innings pitched, also recording 19 strikeouts and five walks. On the season, Vidal has a 10-5 record with a 1.78 ERA in 102.1 innings pitched and 11 complete games, including four shutouts. She has 74 strikeouts to only 26 walks issued overall.
Lauren Paige also had a productive weekend in Davis, Calif, with a .308 batting average, two home runs, four RBIs, and a .846 batting average. Paige walked six times and was hit by a pitch twice to add to her .571 on-base percentage. The weekend was consistent with Paige's overall performance, as she has a .319 batting average this season, with three home runs and nine RBIs. Along with being hitter, Paige was lights out for UNC in the circle, allowing no earned runs in 11 innings of work with one complete game. Paige was 0-1 for the weekend after errors cost UNC the loss against UC-Davis
Kenzie Kudrna stepped up her game in the Aggie Invitational and would give UNC the winning run against UC-Davis, when she stole home. Kudrna hit .300 over the weekend, scoring two runs and stealing two bases, while drawing three walks. For the season, Kudrna has a .230 average and four stolen bases in five attempts.
Northern Colorado will have an opportunity to get experience against a range of teams over the weekend.
Scouting Kansas
The Jayhawks will host the Rock Chalk Challenge this weekend and has a 17-5 overall record this season. Recently, Kansas went 1-2 in the Jayhawk Invitational with losses against Northern Iowa (4-8) and Nebraska (1-5), while defeating UMKC 3-2
Harli Ridling has lead the Jayhawk lineup with a .414 batting average and also is tied for the team lead with four home runs, along with 15 RBIs. Andie Formby has been the main starter for the Jayhawks with a 7-2 record in 70.1 innings pitched and has a 2.79 ERA.
The Bears and Jayhawks last met in 2015, with Kansas winning 5-0 in the Jayahwk Invitational.
Scouting Murray State
Murray State has an 8-13 record so far this season and recently hosted the Racer Classic, where they went 2-1. The Racers picked up wins against Rhode Island (2-0) and an extra innings victory over Oakland (7-6) in nine innings.
Sierra Gilmore has been productive for Murray State, with a .317 batting average, along with two home runs and 13 RBI's. In the circle, Olivia Suski comes in with 2.94 ERA in 47.2 innings of work in 11 appearances, including nine starts.
Northern Colorado and Murray will play the first game against each other in program history.
Scouting Western Illinois
Western Illinois goes into the Rock Chalk Challenge with a 6-17 record and participated in the Wichita State Tournament last weekend. The Fighting Leathernecks were swept in the tournament with two losses against both Missouri State and Wichita State.
Western Illinois has solid production out of its lineup, with Hailey Duwa recording a .323 batting average and 10 RBIs, both of which are second on the team. Emily Ira has been one of the main starters for the Leathernecks, with a 3.71 ERA and a 2-6 record in 60.1 innings pitched.
UNC played Western Illinois back in 2014 in a two game series, however one game was cancelled. Western Illinois blanked the Bears 8-0 in a five inning game in the one game that they did play.
Scouting University of Missouri-Kansas City
UMKC is 5-14 this season after its most recent games in the Jayhawk Invitational last weekend. The Roos went 1-3 in the tournament with losses to Kansas, Tulsa, and Green Bay, while defeating Northern Iowa.
Olivia Fluehr has been the major contributor for the Roos lineup with a .320 batting average, five home runs and 20 RBIs. The pitching staff has struggled for UMKC, with Lynsey Conner at the top of the rotation with a 4.95 ERA and a 3-6 record.
Northern Colorado and UMKC last played in 2015, with the Roos topping the Bears 12-9 in the Jayhawk Invitational.
Scouting Saint Louis
The Billikens have a 10-9 record this season, with their most recent games in the EKU Invitational. Saint Louis went 4-1 in the tournament with wins over Northern Illinois, Western Carolina, and Akron twice.
Sadie Wise leads the Billikins with a .387 batting average, along with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Kaylea Chappelle has been the best pitcher for the Billikins, with a 3-3 record and a 3.00 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched.
UNC and Saint Louis played in 2015 with the Billikins beating the Bears 11-10 that was also a part of the Jayhawk Invitational.
Following the Bears
Northern Colorado takes on host Kansas today at 2 P.M. (MT). The Bears will play Murray State on Friday, March 16th at 9 A.M. and then follow that game up against Western Illinois at 11:30 A.M. On Saturday March 17th, UNC plays Kansas again at 2 P.M. and UMKC at 7 P.M. The Bears conclude their Rock Chalk Challenge on Sunday, March 18th against Saint Louis at 11:30 A.M.
Live stats and audio are available for both of UNC's games against Kansas provided by KUAthletics.com. Live stats are available for the other four games this weekend and follow the games on Twitter with @bearssoftball. Â
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