@BearsSoftball Holds off Iowa State, Falls to South Dakota

Friday, March 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

9 am

University of Northern Colorado

4-11

Iowa State

6-7

Northern Colorado

Iowa State

Photo by: Will Becque

3/1/2019 5:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Northern Colorado split its first games at the Lopes Up Classic

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Friday was mixed bag for Northern Colorado softball as the team split its first two games in the Lopes Up Classic. UNC opened the tournament with a 7-6 win over Iowa State, after plating seven runs in the first inning. The Bears fell to South Dakota 11-1 in five innings in game two on the day.

"We continue to show great strides towards being a good team," head coach Ben Garcia said. "Pitching is still a work in progress and will continue to improve as we play."

Bears vs. Cyclones
It was Valerie Vidal in the circle to start the weekend for UNC against Iowa State's Emma Hylan for game one of the day.

Northern Colorado got its bats going in the top of the first inning, as Kenzie Kudrna walked and Mady Young doubled down the right field line to put runners on second and third with one out. Dani Young came through with the clutch single through the right side to score Kudrna and Young to put UNC in front.

Hailee Swanson stepped up to the plate and launched her first-career home run over the left field wall and the Bears lead was up to 4-0. Natalie Joyner would keep the inning going with a walk, followed by a single from Shaena Robinson. Cheyenne Talmadge delivered a single into center field that scored Joyner from second. Madi Schmidt would then lace a single into right center to score both Robinson and Talmadge.

UNC had its best inning of the year, scoring seven runs on six hits to give Vidal a big cushion. Hylen lasted only .1 innings and was relieved by Tatum Ksiazek.

Vidal had a solid outing for the Bears, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing three runs, while striking out three and issuing no walks.

The Cyclones would get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third with two runs on three hits. They would add a solo home run from Kirsten Caudle in the bottom of fourth to pull closer to the Bears.

In the bottom of the seventh, Maggie Thurston entered the game to close out Iowa State, but the Cyclones had one last push in
them. Sami Williams would hit a three-run, home run off Thurston to get the Cyclones within one of UNC.

Vidal would renter the game and close the door on the Iowa State rally to get the 7-6 UNC win, earning her fourth win of the year.

Bears vs. Yotes
Maggie Thurston got the call to start in the circle for game two of the day against South Dakota's Dustie Durham.

The Yotes started fast in the game, tallying three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. South Dakota would add two runs on two hits in the top of the third inning to extend the lead to 5-0.

UNC got one run back in the bottom of the third after Mady Young singled up the middle to score Madi Schmidt.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Yotes pushed another run across on three hits and were up 6-1 on the Bears.

Durham was strong for South Dakota, pitching five innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.

In the top of the fifth, the Yotes offense exploded with five runs on six hits to push the advantage to 10 runs.

The Bears needed to score in the bottom of the fifth to keep the game going, trailing by eight plus runs.
UNC bats could not score and the game ended early in the bottom of the fifth, as Durham shut the door on the Bears.

Thurston struggled in the game, allowing nine earned runs on 15 hits, with one walk issued.

Game Notes

Dani Young had a strong day at the plate, going three-for-five with two RBIs and one run, along with getting hit by a pitch.
Kenzie Kudrna also was effective at the plate, going two-for-four with one run scored and two walks.
Natalie Joyner went two-for-five with one run scored on the day as well.
UNC showed improved discipline at the plate, walking four times and striking out seven times.

Up Next
Northern Colorado will continue the Lopes Up Classic on Saturday with two games. UNC will play Utah at 9 am MST and will then play its second game against Iowa State at 2 pm.