Gonzales Paces Bears on Opening Day in Puerto Vallarta

Thursday, February 6

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

12 p.m. (1 p.m. CST)

University of Northern Colorado

0-1

Florida State

1-1

Florida State

Northern Colorado

2/6/2025 6:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Gonzales led UNC with five hits, three RBIs in Puerto Vallarta opener

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Northern Colorado opened its season in Puerto Vallarta with losses to No. 9 Florida State (1-7) and Louisiana Tech (4-9). Ella Gonzales led the Bears with five hits and three RBIs across both games.

GAME 1 | NORTHERN COLORADO 1, FLORIDA STATE 7
Pitching: (W) J. Francik (1-0); (L) Isabelle DiNapoli (0-1)

Northern Colorado dropped its season opener in Puerto Vallarta, falling to No. 9 Florida State, 7-1, at Nancy Alamaraz Field.

Florida State struck early, plating two runs in the first inning. The Seminoles capitalized on a leadoff single and a wild pitch to advance a runner into scoring position before an RBI double brought in the game's first run. A second run crossed the plate on a two-out single to left field, giving FSU a quick 2-0 advantage.

The Bears' defense held strong in the third, limiting the damage to just one run after Florida State loaded the bases with no outs. A ground ball to third base resulted in a force-out at home, but a sacrifice fly allowed the Seminoles to extend their lead to 5-0.

Northern Colorado's lone run came in the bottom of the third inning when Ella Gonzales delivered a two-out RBI single to score Emma Osborne, who had entered as a pinch runner. The Bears threatened again in the fourth with runners on base, but FSU's pitching stifled the rally.

Amailee Morales contributed with a 1-for-4 performance at the plate and recorded six putouts at first base. Sabrina Javorsky went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a key double in the later innings.

The Seminoles tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh to seal the 7-1 victory.

DiNapoli threw a complete game for UNC, allowing 12 hits and striking out three.

Offensively, the Bears tallied nine hits, with Gonzales leading the way, going 3-for-4 at the plate.

GAME 2 | NORTHERN COLORADO 4, LA TECH 9
Pitching: (W) A. Floyd (1-0); (L) Anna Wilming (0-1)

Northern Colorado fell to Louisiana Tech, 9-4, in its second game in Puerto Vallarta at Nancy Almarez Field.

The Bears were held scoreless through the first five innings before breaking through with a two-run sixth, followed by two more runs in the seventh. Louisiana Tech, however, had already built a comfortable lead, scoring one in the fourth before adding four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.

UNC's offense was led again by Gonzales, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double. Katie Walling contributed a 2-for-3 performance, scoring two runs and adding a stolen base.

Morales reached base with a single and recorded six putouts at first base. Javorsky provided an offensive spark, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, helping UNC cut into the deficit late in the game.

On the mound, Anna Wilming took the loss, allowing five earned runs on eight hits over five innings. Grace Algrim pitched the final inning, surrendering four earned runs on two hits and a walk.

UP NEXT
The Bears will take on the #4 Oklahoma State Cowgirls on day two of the PV College Challenge. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.

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