@BearsSoftball Splits Saturday Games at Aggie Classic

Saturday, February 9

College Station, TX

9 am

University of Northern Colorado

1-2

California Baptist

0-3

Northern Colorado

California Baptist

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

2/9/2019 3:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Northern Colorado started off defeating California Baptist, but lost to Texas A&M

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

COLLEGE STATION, TX- Northern Colorado split games on Saturday in the Aggie Classic, picking up the team's first win of the season with a 6-1 victory over California Baptist. UNC fared better in the second game against No. 20 Texas A&M, but fell 9-1 in five innings.

"I'm proud of the team, head coach Ben Garcia said. "They turned it around today after a tough start yesterday. They regrouped and played as they are capable."

Bears vs. Lancers
Valerie Vidal was in the circle on Saturday morning against California Baptist's Kellye Springstead.

UNC struck first in the top of the second inning, after they loaded the bases by way of a Mady Young double, a Natalie Joyner single, and Dani Young walking. With two outs, Maddee Blood-Smyth stepped up to the plate and smacked a double into right center to clear the bases and UNC was up 3-0.

In the top of the fifth inning, Joyner lead off with a home run to left field to extend the UNC lead. It was the sophomore's first career home run.

The Bears were not done in the inning, as Blood-Smyth walked and Kenzie Kudrna scrapped out an infield single. Cheyenne Talmadge would lay down a bunt and beat out the throw to load the bases once again. Two fielder's choices by UNC would bring in two runs and the lead was extended to 6-0.

California Baptist would get one run back in the bottom of the fifth, as Caitlyn Lloyd would single in a run. Vidal would get out of the inning with minimal damage.

In the seventh inning, Vidal would shut the door on the Lancers with a one-two-three inning to secure her first win of the season.

Despite the one run in the fifth, Vidal was strong in her complete game, allowing six hits, while striking out four and walking none.

Bears vs. Aggies part 2
There was little time to rest for UNC and Vidal especially, as she stepped back into the circle to face No. 20 Texas A&M. Payton McBride opposed Vidal for Aggies.

After a scoreless inning, Texas A&M bats exploded in the bottom of the second inning, plating five runs on six hits off of Vidal.

The Aggies put another run on the board in the bottom of the third on a Kelly Martinez RBI single.

The UNC bats struggled against McBride and she took a perfect game into the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth, Dani Young blasted a ball to left field off McBride for her first career home run and the Bears were on the board. The hit ended the perfect game and shutout for McBride.

Texas A&M responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Haley Lee sent a ball over the left-center wall to vie the Aggies a walk-off win, leading by eight.

Vidal took the loss, going four innings and allowing eight earned runs, nine total. She allowed 10 hits, walking one with no strikeouts.

Game Notes

Freshman Dani Young's first home run was also her first hit of her young career and she finished the day going one-for-three, with two runs scored and one RBI. She also walked twice
Natalie Joyner went two-for-five Saturday, with two runs scored and one RBI, by way of her home run.
Maddee Blood-Smyth had her first hit in a UNC uniform, going one-for-two on the day with three RBIs and one walk.
Valerie Vidal made back-to-back starts in the same day for the first time in her career. Vidal pitched 11 innings, and had a 7.36 ERA, with four strikeouts and one walk. She added two more complete games on Saturday. Vidal moved into third place in career strikeouts, passing Jayme Reddacliff with 211. Vidal has 213 total career strikeouts now.
The Bears record now stands at 1-3 to begin the season.