Preview: @bearssoftball Looks to Clinch a Spot in the Big Sky Tournament Against Weber State

Friday, May 4

Ogden, UT

2 PM

University of Northern Colorado

Weber State

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

5/3/2018 12:55:00 PM | Softball

Northern Colorado will be on the road for a three-game series

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo.- Northern Colorado softball will travel to Ogden, UT to take on Weber State in the final series of the regular season.

UNC (25-23, 7-7) is sitting at fifth in the conference and is has an opportunity to clinch its first appearance in the Big Sky Championship since 2014. The Bears need to win two games against Weber State to clinch a spot in the tournament next weekend. An Idaho State loss would also allow UNC to clinch a spot in the postseason.

This past weekend, UNC earned a 2-1 series win over Montana to put themselves in a better position for a postseason berth.

Valerie Vidal had a strong weekend in the circle, with a 1-1 record in two starts, including an eight-inning shutout. She recorded a 1.40 ERA in 15 innings of work, with 11 strikeouts to only a pair of walks. For the season, Vidal has a 16-9 record with a 2.74 ERA and 133 strikeouts to 48 walks. Vidal has already set single season program records in wins, complete games, and shutouts.

Lauren Paige continued to get on base against the Grizzlies, drawing three walks and being hit by a pitch once, while also batting .286 for a .545 on-base percentage. This season, Paige set a UNC single season record in walks with 37. She has also been hit by 10 pitches and has a .515 on-base percentage. Paige has been a major source of offense for the Bears, ranking second on the team with a .325 batting average and leading the team with eight home runs. She is tied for fourth on the team with 25 RBIs.

Kaley Garcia is one of the most consistent hitters for the Bears this season and has a .296 batting average, with one home run and 25 RBIs. Garcia has set a program record with 16 doubles this season that also ranks first in the Big Sky and 23^rd in the nation. This past weekend, Garcia hit three doubles and batted .273, driving in two runs. In game two of the doubleheader against the Grizzlies, Garcia would hit an RBI double to tie the game during the ninth inning and then scored the game-winning run on a Natalie Joyner single.

UNC will look to can secure another trip to Ogden and get into the postseason this weekend with a series victory over Weber State

Scouting Weber State

Weber State enters the final week of the regular season tied for first in the Big Sky with a 12-6 conference record and a 25-21 overall record. This past weekend, the Wildcats dropped their series against Portland State with two losses on the road. Weber State swept Idaho State in its previous home series two weeks ago.

Sophomore infielder leads the Wildcats with a .362 batting average and 11 home runs, while recording 51 RBIs. Weber State has been excellent at stealing bases with 78 stolen in 88 attempts. Sophomore outfielder Takesha Saltern has stolen 31 bases in 35 attempts, while batting .333 and scoring 41 runs. In the circle, senior Kirtlyn Bohling has been the most consistent starter for the Wildcats with a 12-9 record and a 3.22 ERA in 128.2 innings pitched.

Northern Colorado won the series last year in Greeley, with the Bears taking two-out-of-three games from the Wildcats.

Following the Bears

UNC takes on Weber State in a doubleheader on Friday, May 4^th with game one starting at 2 P.M. (MT) and game two scheduled for 4 P.M. The series will conclude on Saturday, May 5^th with one game at 12 P.M. The games can be streamed live with the free PlutoTV app or on WatchBigSky.com. Live stats will be available through WeberStateSports.com. Follow the games live on Twitter with @bearssoftball.