University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, March 29
Portland, OR
2 PM
University of Northern Colorado
7
at
6
Portland State
Photo by: Will Becque
@BearsSoftball Rallies in First Game of Doubleheader Against Vikings
3/29/2019 7:56:00 PM | Softball
Northern Colorado split the two games against Portland State on Friday
PORTLAND, Ore.- Friday started well for Northern Colorado softball, as the Bears pulled off a 7-6 comeback in the first game of a double header against Portland State. UNC dropped the second game of the day to the Vikings, 4-0.
Â
Game 1
Valerie Vidal was in the circle to start the day for UNC against Portland State's Katie Schroeder.
The game was rocky for Vidal at the beginning, surrendering two runs on three hits in the first innings. In the second inning, the Vikings added one run on one hits to extend the advantage to 3-0.
UNC broke through in the top of the third after Emma Brockmann lead-off with a double. One batter later, Natalie Joyner smacked a double down the left field line to score Brockmann.
Portland St. got the run back in the bottom of the third with three hits to extend the lead back to three runs.
Now in the top of the fifth inning, Brockmann again lead of the inning with a hit, singling to right field. Like the third inning, it was Joyner who again came up with the big hit for the Bears. This time, however, Joyner launched the ball over the left field wall for a two-run homer and UNC pulled close to the Vikings with the score 4-3.
The Vikings kept their bats swinging as well, responding with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, off UNC's new pitcher, Maggie Thurston, and the lead was back to three at 6-3.
UNC's lineup was not fazed by the runs, as they put two runners on with one out. Maddee Blood-Smyth stepped up to the plate and hit a triple to clear the bases and cut the lead to one again.
Thurston held the Vikings off the score board in the bottom of the sixth and the game moved to the seventh with the Bears trailing by one.
Joyner continued her hot day, singling to lead off the inning and putting the tying run on base. Cheyenne Talmadge would reach on an error and Kenzie Kudrna would bunt to get UNC two runners into scoring position. A pair of wild pitches from Portland St.'s relief pitcher Serafine Parrish gave UNC the 7-6 lead in the game.
Vidal reentered the game, looking to close out the win for the Bears. Vidal allowed one hit, but got two pop outs and a strikeout to secure the win.
Thurston earned her first career win, after pitching three innings and allowing two earned runs.
Game 2
Valerie Vidal was called on to start game two against the Vikings, this time matching up against Alyssa Burk.
Portland St. again started quickly, scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single to right field. The Vikings built a 3-0 in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs on home run from Darian Lindsey.
In the bottom of the third, Portland State tacked on another run with a single to left field to lead 4-0.
Burk was strong on the day limiting the Bears to only three hits in seven innings. UNC was not able to string enough baserunners together to get any pressure on Burk.
Hailee Swanson was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the seventh. Burk retired the Bears in order following the hit by pitch to get the complete game shut-out on UNC.
Vidal took the loss after allowing four earned runs in four innings pitched, with one strikeout.
Game Notes
Northern Colorado will conclude its series against Portland State tomorrow with one game at 1 pm.
Â
Â
Game 1
Valerie Vidal was in the circle to start the day for UNC against Portland State's Katie Schroeder.
The game was rocky for Vidal at the beginning, surrendering two runs on three hits in the first innings. In the second inning, the Vikings added one run on one hits to extend the advantage to 3-0.
UNC broke through in the top of the third after Emma Brockmann lead-off with a double. One batter later, Natalie Joyner smacked a double down the left field line to score Brockmann.
Portland St. got the run back in the bottom of the third with three hits to extend the lead back to three runs.
Now in the top of the fifth inning, Brockmann again lead of the inning with a hit, singling to right field. Like the third inning, it was Joyner who again came up with the big hit for the Bears. This time, however, Joyner launched the ball over the left field wall for a two-run homer and UNC pulled close to the Vikings with the score 4-3.
The Vikings kept their bats swinging as well, responding with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, off UNC's new pitcher, Maggie Thurston, and the lead was back to three at 6-3.
UNC's lineup was not fazed by the runs, as they put two runners on with one out. Maddee Blood-Smyth stepped up to the plate and hit a triple to clear the bases and cut the lead to one again.
Thurston held the Vikings off the score board in the bottom of the sixth and the game moved to the seventh with the Bears trailing by one.
Joyner continued her hot day, singling to lead off the inning and putting the tying run on base. Cheyenne Talmadge would reach on an error and Kenzie Kudrna would bunt to get UNC two runners into scoring position. A pair of wild pitches from Portland St.'s relief pitcher Serafine Parrish gave UNC the 7-6 lead in the game.
Vidal reentered the game, looking to close out the win for the Bears. Vidal allowed one hit, but got two pop outs and a strikeout to secure the win.
Thurston earned her first career win, after pitching three innings and allowing two earned runs.
Game 2
Valerie Vidal was called on to start game two against the Vikings, this time matching up against Alyssa Burk.
Portland St. again started quickly, scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single to right field. The Vikings built a 3-0 in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs on home run from Darian Lindsey.
In the bottom of the third, Portland State tacked on another run with a single to left field to lead 4-0.
Burk was strong on the day limiting the Bears to only three hits in seven innings. UNC was not able to string enough baserunners together to get any pressure on Burk.
Hailee Swanson was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the seventh. Burk retired the Bears in order following the hit by pitch to get the complete game shut-out on UNC.
Vidal took the loss after allowing four earned runs in four innings pitched, with one strikeout.
Game Notes
- Natalie Joyner had a monster day at the plate, going four-for-five, with three RBIs, one home run, one double and two runs scored. Joyner fell a triple short of the cycle in the game one against Portland State.
- UNC's batters were hit by five pitches on Friday, with Hailee Swanson getting hit twice.
- The Bears went three-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the two games.
- Along with recording her first collegiate win, Maggie Thurston pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs combined on Friday.
- Valerie Vidal recorded her first career save after reentering game one and recorded a clean inning.
- Swanson, Emma Brockmann and Cheyenne Talmadge all recorded two hits and scored a run on the day.
Northern Colorado will conclude its series against Portland State tomorrow with one game at 1 pm.
Â
Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballWomen's Walk Recap 2025
Wednesday, July 30
