@BearsSoftball Comes Up Short on Friday in the Silicon Valley Classic

Friday, February 22

San Jose, Calif.

10 am

University of Northern Colorado

1-9

Ball State

8-4

Ball State

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

2/22/2019 6:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Northern Colorado went 0-2 to start the weekend

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

SAN JOSE, Calif.- Northern Colorado softball opened the Silicon Valley Classic on Friday with a pair of losses. UNC fell in the first game against Ball State, 10-0, and then faced host San Jose State, dropping a close 3-1 game.

Bears vs. Cardinals
Valerie Vidal started in the circle for UNC to open the weekend and was facing Ball State's Sarah Venker.

Vidal retired the first six batters she faced and worked out of a bases loaded situation in the top of the third inning to keep the game scoreless. She would turn in another strong inning in the top of the fourth as the pitching duel continued against Venker.

Ball State broke the tie in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs on three hits to jump ahead of UNC. Ball State extended its lead in the top of the fifth with a four-run inning, that was aided by two UNC errors. The deficit was 6-0 for the Bears and Vidal was lifted from the game and Maggie Thurston came on to pitch.

Venker was dominate for the Cardinals, allowing only two hits and three walks to the UNC lineup on the day.

The Bears put two runners on in the top of the sixth, but could not get the big hit to bring them around to score.

The Cardinals put up four more runs in the top of the seventh on three hits to put the game out of reach at 10-0. Venker allowed her first hit of the day in the bottom of the seventh to Madi Schmidt and was relieved in the game. Alyssa Rothwell relieved Venker, but then Emma Brockmann would single to left to put two on with nobody out. Rothwell managed to retire the next three UNC hitters to end the game.

Vidal took the loss after allowing five earned runs in five innings pitched, with five strikeouts and three walks.

Bears vs. Spartans
Vidal got the call again in the circle in game two of the day against San Jose State's Caroline Bowman.

The Spartans hit Vidal early with three hits in the bottom of the first inning to score a pair of runs.

UNC responded promptly in the top of the second as Maddee Blood-Smyth walked and Emma Brockmann had an infield single to start the inning. Freshman Hailee Swanson stepped up to the plate and singled up the middle for her first career hit and scored Blood-Smyth for her first career RBI as well.

San Jose State tacked on another run in the bottom of the second to give the Spartans a two-run lead once more.

After the rocky first two innings, Vidal locked down and pitched a gem of a game. Vidal would retire the next 13 Spartan batters.

Despite the adjustment from Vidal, UNC's offense could not get any more run support for her. Bowman had a strong outing for San Jose State, pitching a complete game and allowing one earned run, while striking out six and walking one.

Kenzie Kudrna advanced to second in the top of the third and fifth after singling, but was left there both times.

The Bears had a good opportunity in the top of the fourth, after Brockmann and Swanson both singled with one out. UNC was unable to put together any more hits to score the baserunners.

Bowman closed out the game in the top of the seventh to get the win. Vidal took the loss, pitching six innings, with two earned runs and striking out three and no walks.

"We have made the game very difficult fighting philosophy," head coach Ben Garcia said. "Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better softball day!"

Game Notes

Northern Colorado out-hit San Jose State seven to five in the second game.
Hailee Swanson picked up her first two hits of her career on Friday, going two-for-four and tallying her first career RBI.
Emma Brockmann had her best day of the season at the plate, going three-for-six.
Kenzie Kudrna finished the day two-for-six with one walk.
Valerie Vidal pitched 11 innings on Friday, with and combined ERA of 5.73. It was the second time this season Vidal started both games for the Bears and the third time she appeared in both games.