Softball Continues Road Stretch at Colorado Classic

GREELEY, Colo. - Northern Colorado softball (4-10, 0-0 BSC) will make the short drive to Fort Collins to play three games in the Colorado Classic DI Tournament. The Bears will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi twice, just two weeks after their matchup at the Troy Cox Classic, and will also take on host Colorado State.

GAME COVERAGE
There will be no live stream available this weekend. Fans who are unable to make the trip can stay up to date via live stats.

A LOOK AT THE BEARS
The Bears are 4-10 after three weeks of play, and capped off their weekend in Raleigh with a shutout win against Central Michigan.

Northern Colorado wasted no time, scoring all five of their runs in the opening inning, while Isabelle DiNapoli controlled the game in the circle with a complete-game shutout.

Northern Colorado's offense set the tone early, capitalizing on a strong start from Amailee Morales, who singled down the left-field line. Sabrina Javorsky followed with an RBI double to bring in Emma Osborne for the first run of the game. Moments later, Nya Chacon launched a grand slam over the right-field fence, pushing the lead to 5-0 before the Chippewas recorded a second out.

DiNapoli was dominant in the circle, tossing a seven-inning shutout while allowing just two hits. The senior right-hander struck out two and didn't issue a walk, efficiently working through Central Michigan's lineup in just 77 pitches.

Chacon led the way at the plate, finishing 1-for-2 with four RBIs and a walk. Javorsky added a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI double, while Morales, Katie Walling, Ella Gonzales, and Krista Francia each tallied hits.

Defensively, the Bears remained flawless, committing no errors. Jaycie Gandert played a key role in the infield with four putouts and four assists, turning a double play in the seventh inning to seal the shutout.

Head Coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm is in her third season at UNC, registering a 57-59 record in that time.

SCOUTING TAMU - CC
(Saturday / 10:30 a.m. MST | Sunday / 11 a.m. MST)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi wrapped up the Mardi Gras Classic with a 4-10 record, dropping its final two games to Lipscomb (5-1) and South Alabama (8-0). The Islanders struggled to capitalize on offensive opportunities despite staying close in total hits. Lipscomb broke through with a three-run third inning and added two more in the fifth, while A&M-Corpus Christi managed its lone run in the sixth after Erynne Castillo singled and later scored on an overthrow. Against South Alabama, the Islanders' only hits came from Paolina Baez and Crystal Davila, as the Jaguars broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning.

Offensively, Baez has been the most consistent contributor, reaching base in every tournament game and tying for the team lead in hits (10) alongside Ripley Welker and Crystal Davila. The Islanders have shown an ability to put runners on but have struggled with timely hitting, often leaving them stranded. Defensively, errors and control issues have been costly, with wild pitches and throwing mistakes leading to scoring opportunities for opponents. Kendra Winfrey provided a bright spot in relief, throwing three scoreless innings against Lipscomb without conceding an earned run.

Moving forward, the Islanders will need to improve their situational hitting and defensive execution to turn close contests into wins. Opponents can exploit control issues and defensive miscues by applying pressure on the bases and forcing high-leverage situations. Limiting Baez's impact and capitalizing on A&M-Corpus Christi's struggles with runners in scoring position will be key to gaining an advantage.

SCOUTING COLORADO STATE
(Saturday / 1 p.m. MST)
Colorado State wrapped up its time at the Hillenbrand Invitational with a 10-2, five-inning loss to No. 1 Texas. The Rams showed improvement from their first matchup against the Longhorns but were unable to contain Texas' offense. Autumn Rutherford led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double to lead off the game and adding an RBI single that scored Kaylynn English in the second inning. English and Brooke Bohlender also contributed hits for Colorado State.

On the mound, Reagan Wick provided a solid relief effort, limiting Texas to just five hits while striking out three in three innings of work. Defensively, the Rams played a clean game with no errors, as Jordan West and Morgan Crosby each contributed two assists to help slow down Texas' offensive attack. Despite the loss, Colorado State demonstrated resilience and improved execution in key areas, which will be crucial as they continue their season.

Earlier in the tournament, Colorado State picked up its first win of the weekend with an 8-6 extra-innings victory over UC Davis. The Rams relied on power hitting, with Jailey Wilson delivering two home runs, including a three-run shot in the fifth inning. Autumn Rutherford played a key role, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while Jordan West sealed the win with a two-run homer in the eighth. Reagan Wick was dominant in the circle, throwing all eight innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts and allowing just five hits.

Colorado State also faced No. 20 Stanford, jumping out to a 2-0 lead before ultimately falling 10-2 in five innings. Clarissa Castillo and Carolina Buffaloe each contributed an RBI, while Kaylynn English led the offense with a 2-for-2 performance and a stolen base. Despite the loss, the Rams showcased their ability to compete early before Stanford's offense took control.

For future matchups, the Rams will need to find ways to generate more consistent offensive production and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Their defense remains a strength, and maintaining error-free play will be key to keeping games competitive against high-caliber opponents.

UP NEXT
The Bears will continue their road stand with a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska where they will face No. 16 Nebraska, South Dakota State, and Northern Iowa in the Big Red Spring Fling March 6-8.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
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).

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Players Mentioned

Nya Chacon

Isabelle DiNapoli

Krista Francia

Jaycie Gandert

Ella Gonzales

Sabrina Javorsky

Amailee Morales

Emma Osborne

Katie Walling

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