UNC defeats A&M Commerce on second day in Texas

Saturday, February 18

Stephenville, Texas

8:30 am

University of Northern Colorado

4-4

Texas A&M - Commerce

1-7

Tex. A&M-Commerce

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Toby Rhodes

2/18/2023 6:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Northern Colorado softball team claimed a 7-6 win over Texas A&M Commerce at the Whataburger Invitational on Saturday morning, earning its fourth win of the season. UNC then fell 11-2 to Creighton in the second game of the day.

Angelique Navarro hit UNC's second home run of the season to start the scoring off for the Bears in the fourth inning against the Lions. Alexsi Barashkoff and Nya Chacon helped drive in two more runs for the Bears in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.

The Lions then got on the board in the sixth, scoring five runs to take a 5-4 lead off of four hits, including a home run, and one error in the frame. UNC responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-run single from Carson Fischer to score Paola Villegas and Jaycie Gandert to take back the lead.

In the top of the second, A&M Commerce scored a tying run off a sac fly, but in the bottom of the inning an error by the Lions center fielder gave the Bears the walk-off victory.

Isabell DiNapoli started in the circle for the Bears, pitching five innings. Grace Algrim pitched one inning in relief, before Erin Caviness came in to pitch the seventh and picking up the win.

In the nightcap against the Bluejays, Creighton came out swinging and scored five runs in the first inning for the early lead.

Villegas hit UNC's second home run of the day in the third inning, to score Lauren Strathearn and to put UNC on the board. Unfortunately, Creighton would go on to score five more runs before the fifth inning for the early victory.

ACCORDING TO COACH PENDELTON-HELM
"Obviously two very different outcomes on the day. We showed fight against Texas A&M Commerce. Alyssa had a great game at the plate, getting on three times. Angelique got her first home run at UNDC and Carson came through with a couple of RBIs. We stayed composed and got the win. The second game we got behind early and did not recover. Tomorrow we need to come out with energy and focus, and play our game."

BY THE NUMBERS

Alyssa Wenzel led the Bears in the batter's box, recording five hits in seven at-bats for a .714 average on the day.
Paola Villegas hit .500 in the two games and scored three runs for the Bears.
Lauren Strathearn also scored three runs, while hitting .429 on the day with three hits in seven at-bats.

UP NEXT
Northern Colorado closes out the Whataburger Invitational tomorrow morning with a game against Akron. First pitch is scheduled for 8 a.m. (MT).