University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Sunday, March 18
Lawrence, KS
10:30 am
University of Northern Colorado
18-15
8
vs
0
Saint Louis University
13-11
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
E
Saint Louis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Northern Colo.
0
1
3
2
0
2
8
10
1
Photo by: Rob Trubia
Recap: @bearssoftball Overpowers Saint Louis in Six Innings
3/18/2018 9:05:00 PM | Softball
Northern Colorado used the eight run rule for the second straight game
LAWRENCE, Kansas – Northern Colorado softball is getting used to only playing six innings games after defeating the Saint Louis 8-0 on Sunday afternoon. For the second straight game, UNC (18-15) built an eight-run advantage over the opposing team in the sixth inning to end the game early.
The Bears had Valerie Vidal in the circle against Saint Louis' Maddi Baalman. UNC put two runners on in the bottom of the first, but was unable to bring them around to score.
Vidal locked down the Billikens lineup to start the game, allowing one walk through the first three innings.
UNC started the scoring in the bottom of the second when Mady Young singled to left and then stole second base. This time the Bears were able to score the lead runner as Sophia Taylor singled to center field and brought Young home for a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, UNC separated from the Billikens, starting with a Kaley Garcia double to center field. Jordyn Wiatrak and Young would both walk to load the bases for Rachel Johnson. A Johnson double to left field would bring Wiatrak and Garcia into score and UNC was up three on Saint Louis. Emma Brockmann would hit a sacrifice fly to score Young and Bears lead had grown to 4-0.
Vidal continued to dominate the Billikens, retiring the lineup in order during both the top of the fourth and fifth innings.
The Bears' lineup continued to be aggressive and looked to further extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Lauren Paige would deliver the power hit for UNC with a two-run, home run in the inning to build a 6-0 advantage over Saint Louis.
The Billikens recorded their first hit of the game in the top of the sixth, after Vidal had retired 14 straight batters since the first inning walk.
Madi Schmidt would single with one out in the bottom of the sixth to give UNC the chance to try and end the game after the inning. Paige would draw a walk and Wiatrak would single to shortstop and bring in Schmidt to score. Young would then single to left field and pinch-runner, Kenzie Kudrna would score to bring the eight run rule into effect. UNC's 8-0 lead after the fifth inning allowed the Bears to win the game without playing the seventh.
The combination of the lineups production and Vidal's dominance from the circle was too much for Saint Louis to overcome. Northern Colorado went 4-2 in the Rock Chalk Challenge, with both loses coming to the host team, Kansas.
In their words
Shana Easley, Head Coach
"I think this was the most complete game we've played so far this season. Every facet of our game was aggressive and consistent. SLU has a good ball club, that is very similar to what we will face in conference, so being able to compete as well as we did was exactly what we want as we enter our conference season. Val set the tone for our defense. LP came up with our first big hit to puts on the board and we kept the momentum going form there. Great all around win."
Notes
Next Up
Northern Colorado will begin is conference schedule on Friday, March 23rd, with a double-header against Sacramento State at 1 and 3 P.M. (MT). UNC will play one more game against Sacramento State on Saturday, March 24th at 1 P.M.
The Bears had Valerie Vidal in the circle against Saint Louis' Maddi Baalman. UNC put two runners on in the bottom of the first, but was unable to bring them around to score.
Vidal locked down the Billikens lineup to start the game, allowing one walk through the first three innings.
UNC started the scoring in the bottom of the second when Mady Young singled to left and then stole second base. This time the Bears were able to score the lead runner as Sophia Taylor singled to center field and brought Young home for a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, UNC separated from the Billikens, starting with a Kaley Garcia double to center field. Jordyn Wiatrak and Young would both walk to load the bases for Rachel Johnson. A Johnson double to left field would bring Wiatrak and Garcia into score and UNC was up three on Saint Louis. Emma Brockmann would hit a sacrifice fly to score Young and Bears lead had grown to 4-0.
Vidal continued to dominate the Billikens, retiring the lineup in order during both the top of the fourth and fifth innings.
The Bears' lineup continued to be aggressive and looked to further extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Lauren Paige would deliver the power hit for UNC with a two-run, home run in the inning to build a 6-0 advantage over Saint Louis.
The Billikens recorded their first hit of the game in the top of the sixth, after Vidal had retired 14 straight batters since the first inning walk.
Madi Schmidt would single with one out in the bottom of the sixth to give UNC the chance to try and end the game after the inning. Paige would draw a walk and Wiatrak would single to shortstop and bring in Schmidt to score. Young would then single to left field and pinch-runner, Kenzie Kudrna would score to bring the eight run rule into effect. UNC's 8-0 lead after the fifth inning allowed the Bears to win the game without playing the seventh.
The combination of the lineups production and Vidal's dominance from the circle was too much for Saint Louis to overcome. Northern Colorado went 4-2 in the Rock Chalk Challenge, with both loses coming to the host team, Kansas.
In their words
Shana Easley, Head Coach
"I think this was the most complete game we've played so far this season. Every facet of our game was aggressive and consistent. SLU has a good ball club, that is very similar to what we will face in conference, so being able to compete as well as we did was exactly what we want as we enter our conference season. Val set the tone for our defense. LP came up with our first big hit to puts on the board and we kept the momentum going form there. Great all around win."
Notes
- Valerie Vidal picked up her 12th win of the season, pitching six, shut-out innings, allowing one hit, with seven strikeouts and one walk. Vidal has a 1.80 ERA this season with 13 complete games, including six shut-outs.
- UNC's lineup clicked this weekend, batting .296 and scored 30 runs, while also hitting four home runs. The Bears showed great discipline at the plate, walking 31 times and striking out 23.
- Lauren Paige accounted for two home runs and four RBIs this weekend, with a .688 slugging percentage. Paige has five home runs on the season, with 13 RBIs and a .541 slugging percentage.
- Sophia Taylor had a great weekend in Lawrence, batting .400 with eight hits and three RBIs, while walking twice.
Next Up
Northern Colorado will begin is conference schedule on Friday, March 23rd, with a double-header against Sacramento State at 1 and 3 P.M. (MT). UNC will play one more game against Sacramento State on Saturday, March 24th at 1 P.M.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Vidal, Valerie (12-5)
L: Baalman (8-7)
Batting:
2B: Garcia, Kaley 1 ; Johnson, Rachel 1
HR: Paige, Lauren 1
RBI: Taylor, Sophia 1 ; Paige, Lauren 2 ; Wiatrak, Jordyn 1 ; Young, Mady 1 ; Johnson, Rachel 2 ; Brockmann, Emma 1
SF: Brockmann, Emma 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Schmidt, Madi 1 ; Garcia, Kaley 2 ; Paige, Lauren 1 ; Kudrna, Kenzie 1 ; Wiatrak, Jordyn 1 ; Young, Mady 2
SB: Schmidt, Madi 1 ; Young, Mady 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
C
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF/P
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/INF
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballUniversity of Northern Colorado's 15th Annual Women's Walk
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Softball Highlights vs Portland State Game 1
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Softball Highlights vs Portland State Game 2
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Bears Softball 2023 Big Sky Tournament Champions
Tuesday, December 23
