Bears Advance to Second-Straight BSC Championship Game

Friday, May 10

Pocatello, Idaho

11 a.m.

University of Northern Colorado

26-23

Sacramento State

28-19

Northern Colorado

Sac State

5/10/2024 5:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Final Box Score Updated Season Stats

By: Michael High, Interim Director for Strategic Communications

POCATELLO, Idaho – Abby Gaona's diving catch in the seventh inning secured Northern Colorado a spot in the Big Sky Conference Championship game for the second consecutive year.

With the tying run on, Gaona left her feet and made a snow cone catch down the right-field line for the final out as Northern Colorado outlasted Sacramento State 9-8 at Miller Ranch Stadium Friday.

Gaona earned player of the game honors with the game-saving catch and two hits in four at-bats, including a double, three RBIs and a run.

Erin Caviness started in the circle and earned her second victory in as many days. She tossed 5.0 innings and allowed three runs on four hits, with three strikeouts.

UNC jumped out to a 6-0 advantage with two in the third and four more in the next frame.Alison Steinker followed Sabrina Javorsky's lead-off single with a home run just over the fence and inside the left-field foul pole in the second.

Ella Gonzales doubled home a run in the fourth and Javorsky increased the margin to 4-0 with a single up the middle. Gaona opened the gap to 6-0, driving in two with a single to left.

Sacramento State cut the deficit in half with three runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Bears pushed the cushion back to six at 9-3 in the next half inning, with an RBI double by Gaona and a two-out, two-run double by Amailee Morales.

The Hornets closed to one, with one in the sixth and four more in the seventh.

Team and Series Notes

UNC improved to 7-7 all-time in the Big Sky Conference Tournament, including 2-0 this season.
The Bears moved to 3-2 in the last five games, including 2-2 on the campaign.
Each team split four contests in the Big Sky Tournament.

Inside the Box

Strathearn went 1 for 4, with a run scored and a stolen base.
Morales drove in two, with a double in four at-bats.
Gonzales went 1 for 2, with a run scored, an RBI and a base-on-balls.
Javorsky went 2 for 4, with two runs scored and one RBI.
Steinker went 2 for 3, including a home run, with a run scored and drove in two.
Nya Chacon went 1 for 3, with a run scored.
Gaona went 2 for 4, including a double, with one run scored, three RBIs and a stolen base.
Jaycie Gandert scored a run and swiped a base.
Katie Thomson scored a run.
Caviness tossed 10 scoreless innings to start the Big Sky Championship.

Championship Final
The Bears face No. 5 Portland State in the championship game at noon. UNC needs one win to claim back-to-back championships, while the Vikings must beat the Bears twice to win the title.

Northern Colorado Softball Wraps 2025 Season with Grit, Growth and Postseason Push

Thursday, June 26

Five Bears Named to CSC Academic All-District Softball Team, Francia Advances to National Ballot

Wednesday, May 28

UNC Softball Signs Impact Two-Way Player Sadie Kahl from McCook Community College

Wednesday, May 14

Javorsky & Chacon Earn All-Tournament Honors

Javorsky and Chacon Named to Big Sky Conference All-Tournament Team

Monday, May 12

Next Event

Portland State

L, 3-4

May 11 (Sat)

12 p.m.

Box Score Recap Final Box Score (PDF)Watch History

Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Caviness, Erin (17-7)

L: Bertuccio, M (14-8)

Northern Colorado

Batting:

2B: Morales, Amailee 1 ; Gonzales, Ella 1 ; Gaona, Abby 1

HR: Steinker, Alison 1

RBI: Morales, Amailee 2 ; Gonzales, Ella 1 ; Javorsky, Sabrina 1 ; Steinker, Alison 2 ; Gaona, Abby 3

Base Running:

RUNS: Strathearn, Lauren 1 ; Gonzales, Ella 1 ; Javorsky, Sabrina 2 ; Steinker, Alison 1 ; Thomson, Katie 1 ; Chacon, Nya 1 ; Gaona, Abby 1 ; Gandert, Jaycie 1