University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, May 17
Greeley, CO
12 PM
University of Northern Colorado
28-28
1
vs
3
Colorado State
27-22
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Northern Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Recap: @bearssoftball's Season Ends After Dropping its Game Against CSU
5/17/2018 7:29:00 PM | Softball
Northern Colorado had a record year in wins and postseason births
GREELEY, Colo.- The season for Northern Colorado softball ended on Thursday, as they lost to Colorado State 3-1. UNC was eliminated from the National Invitational Softball Championship with the loss.
Senior Kelli Kleis would get the start in the circle for the Bears, facing off against CSU's Bridgette Hutton. CSU put up two run on Kleis in the top of the first inning, with an RBI single from Corina Gamboa and then Haleyss Donaldson would then steal home. The Bears were in an early 2-0 hole.
The Rams added a run in the top of the second with an RBI single from Ashley Michelena for a 3-0 CSU lead.
Lauren Paige would lead off the bottom of the second with a single and Ally Steiner would come into pinch run. Mady Young would hit into a fielder's choice and Steiner was tagged out at second. Rachel Johnson would get an infield single to put two runners on with one out, but the Bears were unable to advance them any further.
Valerie Vidal would relieve Kleis in the circle and would keep the CSU hitters in check for the rest of the game, allowing one hit and hitting one batter.
In the top of the sixth inning, Kaley Garcia lead off with a double to give UNC a quick scoring opportunity. Garcia advanced to third after Paige grounded out to the pitcher. Garcia would score on a passed ball and UNC was on the board, trailing 3-1.
The Bears needed to rally in the bottom of the seventh to keep their season alive. Emma Brockmann walked to lead off and the inning and UNC was in business. The Bears could not get anything else going with a runner on and Hutton closed out the game for the 3-1 CSU win.
Northern Colorado ended its season with a 28-28 record, tying a program record for wins and recording the most wins since moving up to division one. Lauren Paige and Valerie Vidal earned All-Regional selections for the Bears.
In their words
Shana Easley, Head Coach
On the game
"We struggled to produce any runs and it made it challenging. I though that several instances we hit the ball well and got the barrel on the ball, but it was either right to someone or didn't go our way. The lack of offense cost us that one."
On the pitching
"[Kelli & Val] both pitched really well so it was good to see that. Val had been battling some illness the last few days and it was good to see her come in and shut them down. Both of them did an excellent job. I'm glad to see Kelli starting as a senior and it was a good ride."
On the season
"We really looked to our seniors to raise the standard this season. Instead of just saying were not going to be the class that misses the tournament or postseason, they got it done and executed. They left the program better then when they came in. We're going to look to our future classes to continue on with that tradition."
Â
Kaley Garcia, Centerfielder
On the game
"I think we gave it our all. We have been doing it all season and I think that its what made us so successful. I'm very proud of everyone of these girls and I couldn't have asked for a better group to end my season with."
On the season
"It's awesome. This group of girls has the heart, work ethic, and resiliency to go miles. Its great to see how much we have done this season."
On her final game
"It's bitter sweet. I will definitely miss it and its going to be something that will always have a special place in my heart. I went out with a bang and that's all I could have asked for."
Â
Notes
To stay up to date on all things UNC softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @Bearssoftball.
Â
Senior Kelli Kleis would get the start in the circle for the Bears, facing off against CSU's Bridgette Hutton. CSU put up two run on Kleis in the top of the first inning, with an RBI single from Corina Gamboa and then Haleyss Donaldson would then steal home. The Bears were in an early 2-0 hole.
The Rams added a run in the top of the second with an RBI single from Ashley Michelena for a 3-0 CSU lead.
Lauren Paige would lead off the bottom of the second with a single and Ally Steiner would come into pinch run. Mady Young would hit into a fielder's choice and Steiner was tagged out at second. Rachel Johnson would get an infield single to put two runners on with one out, but the Bears were unable to advance them any further.
Valerie Vidal would relieve Kleis in the circle and would keep the CSU hitters in check for the rest of the game, allowing one hit and hitting one batter.
In the top of the sixth inning, Kaley Garcia lead off with a double to give UNC a quick scoring opportunity. Garcia advanced to third after Paige grounded out to the pitcher. Garcia would score on a passed ball and UNC was on the board, trailing 3-1.
The Bears needed to rally in the bottom of the seventh to keep their season alive. Emma Brockmann walked to lead off and the inning and UNC was in business. The Bears could not get anything else going with a runner on and Hutton closed out the game for the 3-1 CSU win.
Northern Colorado ended its season with a 28-28 record, tying a program record for wins and recording the most wins since moving up to division one. Lauren Paige and Valerie Vidal earned All-Regional selections for the Bears.
In their words
Shana Easley, Head Coach
On the game
"We struggled to produce any runs and it made it challenging. I though that several instances we hit the ball well and got the barrel on the ball, but it was either right to someone or didn't go our way. The lack of offense cost us that one."
On the pitching
"[Kelli & Val] both pitched really well so it was good to see that. Val had been battling some illness the last few days and it was good to see her come in and shut them down. Both of them did an excellent job. I'm glad to see Kelli starting as a senior and it was a good ride."
On the season
"We really looked to our seniors to raise the standard this season. Instead of just saying were not going to be the class that misses the tournament or postseason, they got it done and executed. They left the program better then when they came in. We're going to look to our future classes to continue on with that tradition."
Â
Kaley Garcia, Centerfielder
On the game
"I think we gave it our all. We have been doing it all season and I think that its what made us so successful. I'm very proud of everyone of these girls and I couldn't have asked for a better group to end my season with."
On the season
"It's awesome. This group of girls has the heart, work ethic, and resiliency to go miles. Its great to see how much we have done this season."
On her final game
"It's bitter sweet. I will definitely miss it and its going to be something that will always have a special place in my heart. I went out with a bang and that's all I could have asked for."
Â
Notes
- Valerie Vidal pitched 5.1 innings of shut-out ball, striking out three and walking none. Vidal had a 4.74 ERA in 10.1 innings pitched with six strikeouts and one walk for the tournament.
- Lauren Paige went two-for-five (.400) for the tournament, with two RBIs and one walk.
- Kaley Garcia went two-for-six (.333) in the tournament with two runs scored and one double. Garcia tallied her 17th double of the season which is the second most for a single season in UNC history.
To stay up to date on all things UNC softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @Bearssoftball.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: HUTTON, Bridgette (15-12)
L: Kleis, Kelli (3-4)
Batting:
RBI: MICHELENA, Ashley 1 ; GAMBOA, Corina 1
SH: KLEIN, Danni 2
Base Running:
RUNS: NELSON, Amber 1 ; DONALDSON, Haley 1 ; MCCORKHILL, Hannah 1
SB: DONALDSON, Haley 1 ; GAMBOA, Corina 1
HBP: MCCORKHILL, Hannah 1
Batting:
2B: Garcia, Kaley 1
SH: Taylor, Sophia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Garcia, Kaley 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ SoftballINF/P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballWednesday, April 29
Tuesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 08
Tuesday, March 31
