University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
3-9
Illinois
7-5
Bears Battle Through Tough Losses at Marucci Classic
2/22/2025 6:54:00 PM | Softball
Northern Colorado shows resilience with key contributions despite tough setbacks
GAME 1 | ILLINOIS 12, NORTHERN COLORADO 4
Pitching: (W) D. Frazier (1-0); (L) Anna Wilming (1-5)
Illinois jumped out early with three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Northern Colorado answered in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly from Krista Francia, but the Fighting Illini pitching kept the Bears' offense in check.
The Bears added got ahead with two runs in the fourth on a two RBI double from Amailee Morales, but Illinois took back the lead with a two-run fifth and exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning, putting the game out of reach.
Morales went 4-for-4 with three RBIs, while Francia contributed an RBI. Isabelle DiNapoli provided relief pitching but couldn't slow down the Illini offense.
GAME 2 | NC STATE 11, NORTHERN COLORADO 1
Pitching: (W) C. Maxton (2-0); (L) Grace Algrim (0-2)
Northern Colorado struck first with a run in the opening inning, as Morales reached on a walk, advanced to third on a single from Sabrina Javorsky, then stole home. That would be the only run the Bears could muster against NC State's dominant pitching.
The Wolfpack responded quickly, scoring in every inning and capitalizing on Northern Colorado's struggles on the mound. NC State's offense collected 12 hits, including five extra-base hits, while UNC pitchers struggled with control, issuing four walks and allowing a pair of wild pitches.
Javorsky, Francia, and Katie Walling accounted for Northern Colorado's three hits, but the Bears couldn't string together a rally against the Wolfpack's arms.
With the pair of losses, Northern Colorado falls to 3-10 on the season.
UP NEXT
The Bears will play in their final game of the Marucci Classic tomorrow at 8 a.m. MST against the Chippewas of Central Michigan.
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For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the softball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsSB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsSB).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wiles, L. (4-1)
L: Wilming, Anna (1-5)
Batting:
2B: Berkmeyer, P 1 ; Donahue, E. 1 ; Avila, Y. 1
HR: Donahue, E. 1 ; Moore, A. 1 ; Avila, Y. 1
RBI: Miller, A. 1 ; Berkmeyer, P 1 ; Donahue, E. 4 ; Cushing, E. 1 ; Moore, A. 2 ; Avila, Y. 2
SH: Meade, S. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Miller, A. 1 ; Click, K. 1 ; Berkmeyer, P 1 ; Stiverson, L 1 ; Donahue, E. 1 ; Haggard, E. 1 ; Porter, T. 1 ; Yeagar, J. 1 ; Moore, A. 2 ; Avila, Y. 2
SB: Miller, A. 1 ; Moore, A. 1
HBP: Yeagar, J. 1
Batting:
2B: Morales, Amailee 2 ; Longo, Jazzy 1
RBI: Morales, Amailee 3 ; Francia, Krista 1
SH: Gandert, Jaycie 1
SF: Francia, Krista 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Walling, Katie 2 ; Longo, Jazzy 1 ; Gandert, Jaycie 1
HBP: Chacon, Nya 1
