University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, April 14
Greeley, CO
3 pm
University of Northern Colorado
23-22, 0
2
vs
3
Portland State
12-27, 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Portland State
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
3
9
0
Northern Colorado
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
8
2
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Recap: @bearssoftball Drops Windy Doubleheader Against Portland State
4/14/2018 8:48:00 PM | Softball
The Vikings swept the Bears with a 12-4 and 3-2 win Saturday afternoon
GREELEY, Colo.- Northern Colorado softball struggled against Portland State and was swept in the doubleheader on Saturday. UNC (23-22, 5-6) dropped game one 12-4 in five innings and then lost a close contest in the second game, 3-2.
Game 1
Valerie Vidal was in the circle for UNC in the first game of the day and she was facing off against Portland State's Alyssa Burk. The Vikings got on the board early with an RBI single in the top of the first to open with a 1-0 lead over the Bears.
UNC had two walks in the bottom of the first from Kaley Garcia and Lauren Paige, but could not produce any runs. Mady Young and Kenzie Kudrna would draw two walks in the bottom of the second inning, but were also stranded on base.
In the top of the third, Portland State established control of the game with a five-run inning that extended the lead to 6-0. The Vikings used two hits and two UNC errors to produce their runs and knocked Vidal out of the game. Paige was replaced in the inning by Chandler Elsner, however, she was replaced by Kelli Kleis after recording one out.
Portland State kept the bats going in the top of the fourth inning with, scoring six runs on six hits to blow the game open at 12-0. The Vikings could end the game early if they were able to maintain their eight or more run advantage past the fifth inning.
The Bears would build some momentum in the bottom of the fourth when Rachel Johnson singled to left field that scored Cheyenne Talmadge. UNC was now down 12-1 going to the fifth and possibly final inning.
UNC would mount a strong rally in the bottom of the fifth, starting with a Madi Schmidt single to lead off the inning. Garcia would lace a double into center field to score Schmidt and bring the score to 12-2. Paige would keep the rally going with an RBI double into left field. Emma Brockmann delivered a clutch single to right field that would score Ally Steiner, who was pinching running for Paige. Unfortunately, the rally for the Bears ran out of the steam and the game ended after five innings, with Portland State winning 12-4.
Vidal took the loss after going two innings and allowing four runs. Burk picked up the win after pitching 3.1 innings, allowing one hit and walking five.
Game 2
Valerie Vidal and Alyssa Burk would again start in the circle for the second straight game. Vidal was sharp in the second game, allowing one walk through the first three innings.
UNC was threatening in the bottom of the first with Madi Schmidt getting a single and then Lauren Paige walking to put two runners on. The Bears, however, could not push either runner across the plate.
Rachel Johnson would give UNC the lead in the bottom of the second with a solo-home run to center field. The home run was Johnson's fourth of the season.
In the bottom of the third, Jordyn Wiatrak delivered an RBI single up the middle to score Sophia Taylor and UNC was up 2-0 over the Vikings.
Portland State would get within one of the UNC in the top of the fourth inning when Kortney Craker would single and score Kaela Morrow. The Bears held a 2-1 advantage over the Vikings.
Both Vidal and Burk would settle into a grove and the two pitchers would put up zeros on the scoreboard in the fifth and sixth innings.
Vidal would look to close out the game in the top of the seventh, but Marissa Bruno lead off the inning with a single. Morrow would double to center field with two outs to tie the game at two. Rachel Menlove would then double to center field to give Portland State the 3-2 lead.
Cheyenne Talmadge would single to lead off the bottom of the seventh and give UNC life. Burk was able to retire the Bears in order and Portland State won the game 3-2 and swept the doubleheader.
Valerie Vidal suffered the loss, after pitching her 17th complete game of the season, allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out eight.Â
In their words
Shana Easley, Head Coach
On Game 1
"We just had too many defensive mistakes in the first game to comeback from. Between errors and we were not anticipating plays. We walked too many batters in the first game and that's hard to come back from. We had some good battle at the end of the game, getting runners on and scoring runs. But the defensive misques, we shot ourselves in the foot and could not come back."
On the ending of Game 2
"We have to be able to, when the game is on the line, to close the door and it didn't fall our way. They take advantage of a couple of pitches and drive the ball up the middle, executing how they needed to do to win the game."
Moving forward
"We definitely need to focus on defensive execution this week. We need to always have the mindset when we're hitting to have high-energy, aggressive at-bats throughout the game."
Valerie Vidal, Junior Pitcher
On the day
"I think our biggest struggle is finishing up that last inning. Our hitters did our best and our defense. It comes down to who's going to make that last play. I'm confident we're going to do it when it counts and do our best to get to where we need to be."
On the difference between Game 1 & 2
"The first game we tried to factor in wind and have a different game plan. We drifted from what we have been successful in the past, so it was a learning appearance. [Game 2] We went back to what we normally do. Going off speed, throwing a good curve, and having that rise is crucial to get those mishits."
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Notes
Up Next
Northern Colorado will travel Grand Forks, ND next weekend for a three-game series against North Dakota.
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Game 1
Valerie Vidal was in the circle for UNC in the first game of the day and she was facing off against Portland State's Alyssa Burk. The Vikings got on the board early with an RBI single in the top of the first to open with a 1-0 lead over the Bears.
UNC had two walks in the bottom of the first from Kaley Garcia and Lauren Paige, but could not produce any runs. Mady Young and Kenzie Kudrna would draw two walks in the bottom of the second inning, but were also stranded on base.
In the top of the third, Portland State established control of the game with a five-run inning that extended the lead to 6-0. The Vikings used two hits and two UNC errors to produce their runs and knocked Vidal out of the game. Paige was replaced in the inning by Chandler Elsner, however, she was replaced by Kelli Kleis after recording one out.
Portland State kept the bats going in the top of the fourth inning with, scoring six runs on six hits to blow the game open at 12-0. The Vikings could end the game early if they were able to maintain their eight or more run advantage past the fifth inning.
The Bears would build some momentum in the bottom of the fourth when Rachel Johnson singled to left field that scored Cheyenne Talmadge. UNC was now down 12-1 going to the fifth and possibly final inning.
UNC would mount a strong rally in the bottom of the fifth, starting with a Madi Schmidt single to lead off the inning. Garcia would lace a double into center field to score Schmidt and bring the score to 12-2. Paige would keep the rally going with an RBI double into left field. Emma Brockmann delivered a clutch single to right field that would score Ally Steiner, who was pinching running for Paige. Unfortunately, the rally for the Bears ran out of the steam and the game ended after five innings, with Portland State winning 12-4.
Vidal took the loss after going two innings and allowing four runs. Burk picked up the win after pitching 3.1 innings, allowing one hit and walking five.
Game 2
Valerie Vidal and Alyssa Burk would again start in the circle for the second straight game. Vidal was sharp in the second game, allowing one walk through the first three innings.
UNC was threatening in the bottom of the first with Madi Schmidt getting a single and then Lauren Paige walking to put two runners on. The Bears, however, could not push either runner across the plate.
Rachel Johnson would give UNC the lead in the bottom of the second with a solo-home run to center field. The home run was Johnson's fourth of the season.
In the bottom of the third, Jordyn Wiatrak delivered an RBI single up the middle to score Sophia Taylor and UNC was up 2-0 over the Vikings.
Portland State would get within one of the UNC in the top of the fourth inning when Kortney Craker would single and score Kaela Morrow. The Bears held a 2-1 advantage over the Vikings.
Both Vidal and Burk would settle into a grove and the two pitchers would put up zeros on the scoreboard in the fifth and sixth innings.
Vidal would look to close out the game in the top of the seventh, but Marissa Bruno lead off the inning with a single. Morrow would double to center field with two outs to tie the game at two. Rachel Menlove would then double to center field to give Portland State the 3-2 lead.
Cheyenne Talmadge would single to lead off the bottom of the seventh and give UNC life. Burk was able to retire the Bears in order and Portland State won the game 3-2 and swept the doubleheader.
Valerie Vidal suffered the loss, after pitching her 17th complete game of the season, allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out eight.Â
In their words
Shana Easley, Head Coach
On Game 1
"We just had too many defensive mistakes in the first game to comeback from. Between errors and we were not anticipating plays. We walked too many batters in the first game and that's hard to come back from. We had some good battle at the end of the game, getting runners on and scoring runs. But the defensive misques, we shot ourselves in the foot and could not come back."
On the ending of Game 2
"We have to be able to, when the game is on the line, to close the door and it didn't fall our way. They take advantage of a couple of pitches and drive the ball up the middle, executing how they needed to do to win the game."
Moving forward
"We definitely need to focus on defensive execution this week. We need to always have the mindset when we're hitting to have high-energy, aggressive at-bats throughout the game."
Valerie Vidal, Junior Pitcher
On the day
"I think our biggest struggle is finishing up that last inning. Our hitters did our best and our defense. It comes down to who's going to make that last play. I'm confident we're going to do it when it counts and do our best to get to where we need to be."
On the difference between Game 1 & 2
"The first game we tried to factor in wind and have a different game plan. We drifted from what we have been successful in the past, so it was a learning appearance. [Game 2] We went back to what we normally do. Going off speed, throwing a good curve, and having that rise is crucial to get those mishits."
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Notes
- Rachel Johnson went 3-for-6 on Saturday, with one home run, two RBIs, and finished with a 1.000 slugging percentage.
- Northern Colorado walked nine times and only struck out four times in the doubleheader. Lauren Paige, Kaley Garcia, Mady Young, and Kenzie Kudrna all recorded two walks against the Vikings.
- UNC and Portland State were even on runners left on base, with 15 each.
Up Next
Northern Colorado will travel Grand Forks, ND next weekend for a three-game series against North Dakota.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: BURK, Alyssa (8-11)
L: Vidal, Valerie (15-8)
Batting:
2B: MORROW, Kaela 1 ; MENLOVE, Rachel 1
RBI: MORROW, Kaela 1 ; MENLOVE, Rachel 1 ; CRAKER, Kortney 1
SH: GUNESCH, Tayler 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MORROW, Kaela 2 ; BRUNO, Marissa 1
SB: FLANAGAN, Jessica 1
Batting:
2B: Wiatrak, Jordyn 1
HR: Johnson, Rachel 1
RBI: Wiatrak, Jordyn 1 ; Johnson, Rachel 1
SH: Taylor, Sophia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Taylor, Sophia 1 ; Johnson, Rachel 1
CS: Schmidt, Madi 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF/P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballUTL
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballC/INF
/ Softball
INF
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