University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
2-1
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UTEP
1-6
Hot bats help softball earn weekend split
2/20/2021 6:57:00 PM | Softball
UNC softball split it second doubleheader in as many days against UTEP
The Bears erupted for seven runs in the second inning as they batted around and never trailed in game one. UNC's first seven batters of the inning reached safely leading to six runs scored. Northern Colorado added on a one-out run to cap off the big rally.
UNC had only one extra base hit, a double from Carson Fischer that scored Jayden Mercado during the rally.
The lead grew to 9-0 before UTEP started to make a comeback cutting the lead to 9-5 through three innings.
Senior Mady Young launched her first home run of the 2021 season to cap off the big offensive day for UNC with a solo shot in the fourth.
Maggie Thurston came into the game and shut down the Miner's offense for the final three innings allowing just one hit and no runs.
In the night-cap of the doubleheader, the Bears jumped out to the early lead up 2-0 before ever playing any defense.
The Bears lead 3-0 after Katie Simonsgaard doubled to center field to score Fischer.
UTEP ended up scoring four unanswered runs including the go-ahead home run in the fifth.
What They Said
Head Coach Ben Garcia
"We could have easily been 4-0 this weekend or 0-4. Hopefully, we learned about how we need to execute in close games. It will be very important for us to continue to have a deep bench and play as a team throughout the season."
Stat of the Day
Advancing the runners was key to UNC's offensive success on Saturday. They went 17-for-33 in advancement situations on the day.
Game Notes
- Mady Young drove in a pair of runs during game one of the day going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI.
- Paola Villegas was 3-for-7 with two runs scored and an RBI on the day.
- Carson Fischer and Maddee Blood-Smythe both had a pair of hits in game one.
What's Ahead
UNC heads to St. George, Utah next weekend to compete against Dixie State, Utah State and Weber State. The Bears will play five games while in Utah, two against Dixie State and Utah State and one against Weber State.
To stay up to date on all things UNC softball, visit UNCBears.com follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the UNC Athletics App.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hanehan, Lainey (1-0)
L: M. Collins (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Fischer, Carson 1 ; Blood-Smyth, Maddee 1
HR: Young, Mady 1
RBI: Wenzel, Alyssa 1 ; Young, Mady 2 ; Steinker, Alison 1 ; Fischer, Carson 1 ; Blood-Smyth, Maddee 1 ; Strathearn, Lauren 1
SF: Young, Mady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wenzel, Alyssa 1 ; Young, Mady 1 ; Villegas, Paola 1 ; Mercado, Jayden 1 ; Fischer, Carson 1 ; Blood-Smyth, Maddee 2 ; Joyner, Natalie 1 ; Strathearn, Lauren 2
SB: Wenzel, Alyssa 1
CS: Wenzel, Alyssa 1
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Batting:
2B: T. Gonzalez 1
HR: T. Gonzalez 1
RBI: A. Valles 1 ; T. Gonzalez 5
SH: A. Allen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Z. Calderon 1 ; I. Mendez 2 ; I. Santos 2 ; A. Valles 1 ; T. Gonzalez 1
HBP: K. Somoza 1
