University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, March 22
Greeley, Colo.
1 p.m.
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Santa Clara
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Bears Set for 2025 Home Opener Against Santa Clara
3/20/2025 8:24:00 AM | Softball
Northern Colorado softball returns to Gloria Rodriguez Field for a weekend series on March 22-23
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado softball (7-19, 0-0 Big Sky) will host Santa Clara (16-10, 0-0 WCC) at Gloria Rodriguez Field for their 2025 home opener on Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23. Saturday's doubleheader starts at 1 p.m., while Sunday's begins at 10 a.m.
Saturday's games will feature a Kids Day/Pink Game, while Sunday welcomes furry friends for Bark in the Park, sponsored by Scheels.
GAME COVERAGE
A live stream will be available for the game provided by the University of Northern Colorado's Bear Vision department through ESPN+. Fans can purchase a subscription at plus.espn.com. Live stats will also be provided for fans to stay up to date, provided by the UNC Strategic Communications department.
A LOOK AT THE BEARS
The Northern Colorado Bears softball team has faced a challenging nonconference schedule, holding a record of 7-19. Despite the tough competition, the Bears have secured notable victories, including a 7-3 win against Colorado State on March 1 in Fort Collins.
Offensively, the Bears have shown potential with standout performances from key players. Infielder Amailee Morales boasts a .333 batting average, leading the team with six home runs and 27 RBIs. Third baseman Katie Walling has contributed a team high .379 average, adding one home run and six RBIs, while catcher Sabrina Javorsky has added a team leading 18 RBIs on 22 hits. Collectively, the team has achieved a .281 batting average, with 24 home runs and 119 runs scored over 26 games.
In the circle, the Bears have maintained a 6.85 ERA across 156.1 innings. Senior Isabelle Dinapoli has been a cornerstone, recording 5 wins and 7 losses with a 5.91 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Valparaiso transfer Anna Wilming has also shown promise, securing 2 wins with a 6.04 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
Head Coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm is in her third season at UNC, registering a 60-68 record in that time.
SCOUTING SANTA CLARA
(Saturday - 1/3 p.m. MST (DH) | Sunday - 10 a.m./12 p.m. MST (DH))
The Santa Clara Broncos softball team are 16-10 to start the 2025 season and are coming off a successful weekend hosting the Golden Coast Classic. The Broncos defeated Big Sky opponent Portland State before falling to Harvard. SCU went on to win their next three games.
Leading the Broncos' offense, Cairah Curran boasts a .473 batting average, complemented by a 1.109 OPS, a .571 slugging percentage, and a .538 on-base percentage. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii native leads the team with 43 hits, three triples, 52 total bases, and 13 stolen bases. Hope Alley follows with a .325 batting average, 25 hits, 19 RBIs, and 35 total bases.
The Broncos' pitching staff holds a 3.41 ERA over 172.2 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .284 against them, with 33 doubles, 10 triples, and 11 home runs, while striking out 103 times. Hannah Edwards leads the team with a 2.44 ERA across 10 appearances and six starts and 36 strikeouts.
Head Coach Gina Carbonatto is in her sixth season leading the Broncos. She holds a 106-125 (.459) record for her career, matching her record at the helm of Santa Clara.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
As the 2025 softball season approaches, Northern Colorado has been named the preseason favorite in the Big Sky Conference Coaches' Poll. The Bears, who made history last season by sweeping both the regular-season and tournament titles for the first time, earned three first-place votes and topped the poll with 23 points. Head coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm's squad enters the new campaign with high expectations after a dominant 2024 run, and they will look to defend their title against a competitive field that includes Idaho State (21 points, two first-place votes) and Portland State (17 points, one first-place vote), both of whom made deep postseason runs last year.
Northern Colorado will also have the opportunity to host the 2025 Big Sky Softball Championship at Gloria Rodriguez Field from May 6-9, giving the Bears a home-field advantage as they aim for back-to-back titles. The team opens its season on Feb. 6 against Florida State in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting year for UNC softball. Fans can follow the team's journey and all Big Sky action on social media using @BigSkyConf and the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
UP NEXT
The Bears will open Big Sky play at home with a three-game series against the Montana Lady Griz next weekend March 28-29.
Saturday's games will feature a Kids Day/Pink Game, while Sunday welcomes furry friends for Bark in the Park, sponsored by Scheels.
GAME COVERAGE
A live stream will be available for the game provided by the University of Northern Colorado's Bear Vision department through ESPN+. Fans can purchase a subscription at plus.espn.com. Live stats will also be provided for fans to stay up to date, provided by the UNC Strategic Communications department.
A LOOK AT THE BEARS
The Northern Colorado Bears softball team has faced a challenging nonconference schedule, holding a record of 7-19. Despite the tough competition, the Bears have secured notable victories, including a 7-3 win against Colorado State on March 1 in Fort Collins.
Offensively, the Bears have shown potential with standout performances from key players. Infielder Amailee Morales boasts a .333 batting average, leading the team with six home runs and 27 RBIs. Third baseman Katie Walling has contributed a team high .379 average, adding one home run and six RBIs, while catcher Sabrina Javorsky has added a team leading 18 RBIs on 22 hits. Collectively, the team has achieved a .281 batting average, with 24 home runs and 119 runs scored over 26 games.
In the circle, the Bears have maintained a 6.85 ERA across 156.1 innings. Senior Isabelle Dinapoli has been a cornerstone, recording 5 wins and 7 losses with a 5.91 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Valparaiso transfer Anna Wilming has also shown promise, securing 2 wins with a 6.04 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
Head Coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm is in her third season at UNC, registering a 60-68 record in that time.
SCOUTING SANTA CLARA
(Saturday - 1/3 p.m. MST (DH) | Sunday - 10 a.m./12 p.m. MST (DH))
The Santa Clara Broncos softball team are 16-10 to start the 2025 season and are coming off a successful weekend hosting the Golden Coast Classic. The Broncos defeated Big Sky opponent Portland State before falling to Harvard. SCU went on to win their next three games.
Leading the Broncos' offense, Cairah Curran boasts a .473 batting average, complemented by a 1.109 OPS, a .571 slugging percentage, and a .538 on-base percentage. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii native leads the team with 43 hits, three triples, 52 total bases, and 13 stolen bases. Hope Alley follows with a .325 batting average, 25 hits, 19 RBIs, and 35 total bases.
The Broncos' pitching staff holds a 3.41 ERA over 172.2 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .284 against them, with 33 doubles, 10 triples, and 11 home runs, while striking out 103 times. Hannah Edwards leads the team with a 2.44 ERA across 10 appearances and six starts and 36 strikeouts.
Head Coach Gina Carbonatto is in her sixth season leading the Broncos. She holds a 106-125 (.459) record for her career, matching her record at the helm of Santa Clara.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
As the 2025 softball season approaches, Northern Colorado has been named the preseason favorite in the Big Sky Conference Coaches' Poll. The Bears, who made history last season by sweeping both the regular-season and tournament titles for the first time, earned three first-place votes and topped the poll with 23 points. Head coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm's squad enters the new campaign with high expectations after a dominant 2024 run, and they will look to defend their title against a competitive field that includes Idaho State (21 points, two first-place votes) and Portland State (17 points, one first-place vote), both of whom made deep postseason runs last year.
Northern Colorado will also have the opportunity to host the 2025 Big Sky Softball Championship at Gloria Rodriguez Field from May 6-9, giving the Bears a home-field advantage as they aim for back-to-back titles. The team opens its season on Feb. 6 against Florida State in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting year for UNC softball. Fans can follow the team's journey and all Big Sky action on social media using @BigSkyConf and the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
UP NEXT
The Bears will open Big Sky play at home with a three-game series against the Montana Lady Griz next weekend March 28-29.
Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
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