@BearsSoftball Advances to Big Sky Championship

Friday, May 10

Sacramento, CA

5 PM

University of Northern Colorado

Sacramento State

5/10/2019 9:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

The No. 6 seed Bears defeated the host and defending champion Hornets

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif- For the second straight year, Northern Colorado softball is going to the Big Sky Championship game. UNC defeated the defending champion, Sacramento State, 7-6 on Friday evening in a back-and-forth game.

"The girls are leaving it all on the field," head coach Ben Garcia said. "I could not have asked for anything more."

The Bears sent Valerie Vidal to the circle and faced off against the Hornets' Danielle Sperry.

Cheyenne Talmadge started the Bears with a lead-off single in the top of the first inning. Emma Brockmann slapped a single into right field and Talmadge crossed home to give UNC the 1-0 lead over Sac St.

The Hornets would be held in check by Vidal until the bottom of the third. They would score two runs on two hits to pull in front of the Bears.

UNC fought right back, with two runs in the top of the fourth inning to jump in front of Sac St 3-2. Dani Young and Shaena Robinson lead-off with a walks. After Robinson was tagged out at home on a Katie Simonsgaard-fielder's choice, Taylor Libby was called on as a pinch hitter. Libby delivered and doubled down the left field line scoring Young and Simonsgaard.

The back-and-forth continued, as Hornets tied the game by way of a solo home run from Sydnee Strong in the bottom of the inning.

Despite the quick tie by Sac St., the Bears offense broke the game open in the top of the fifth. Talmadge had another lead-off single and Mady Young followed up with a bunt single. Brockmann picked up another single to load the bases. After a fielder's choice, Robinson drew a bases-loaded walk to break the tie.

Natalie Joyner hit into a fielder's choice, but another run came in for UNC. Simonsgaard delivered another big hit, singling to right field for the Bears third run of the inning. A Hornets' fielding error would allow Alyssa Huerta to reach and the fourth run to cross home. The Bears built a 7-3 lead over Sac St.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Hornets got the run back on three hits and lead was cut to 7-4.

The game moved to the seventh inning with UNC holding the advantage. The Bears were not able to add any more runs in the top half of the inning.

Sac St. made noise in the bottom of the seventh, getting a big two-out double from Strong to pull the Hornets to within one of UNC. Vidal focused in and retired the next Hornet batter to secure the win.

UNC won the game 7-6 over the No. 4 seed, Sacramento State, advancing to the championship game.

Game Notes

Northern Colorado will be making its second career appearance in the Big Sky title game. The Bears played in what became the championship game last season, after the tournament was shortened due to rain.
Valerie Vidal earned the win after pitching seven innings and allowing three earned runs, with three strikeouts and one walk.
Cheyenne Talmadge, Emma Brockmann and Katie Simonsgaard recorded multiple hits in the game.
The Bears were patient at the plate, striking out five times and walking three.
UNC has now defeated the No. 2, 3 and 4 seed in the tournament so far.

Championship Saturday
Northern Colorado takes on the No. 1 seed, Weber State Saturday and will need to win two games against the Wildcats to win the Big Sky Championship. The first game will be played at 12 pm MST, with the second scheduled for 2:30. Weber St. can win the championship if they win the first game tomorrow.