Strong Pitching Lifts Bears Over South Dakota in Friday Split

Friday, February 13

Phoenix, Ariz.

10 a.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

3-3

South Dakota

2-4

Northern Colorado

South Dakota

2/13/2026 6:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Northern Colorado softball split Friday's action at GCU Softball Stadium, defeating South Dakota 4-2 before falling to RV Grand Canyon 12-0.

GAME 1: Northern Colorado 4, South Dakota 2
The Bears opened the day with a composed performance in the circle and timely offense to secure their third win of the season.

Northern Colorado struck first in the opening inning and added two more in the second to build early momentum. Katie Walling drove in a run and later came around to score as UNC capitalized on opportunities with runners in scoring position. The Bears added an insurance run in the fifth to extend the lead to 4-1.

South Dakota trimmed the deficit with a solo home run in the third and added another run in the sixth, but Anna Wilming remained steady in the circle. Wilming worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three to earn her second win of the season.
Ellyse Hydock closed the door in the seventh, striking out two in a scoreless inning to record the first save of her career.

Walling finished with a hit, an RBI and a stolen base, while Kenzie Carter added a key two-out RBI. Northern Colorado turned a double play defensively and held South Dakota to 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

GAME 2: RV Grand Canyon 12, Northern Colorado 0 (5 Innings)
The nightcap proved tougher against a Grand Canyon squad receiving votes nationally.

After a scoreless opening frame, GCU broke through with three runs in the second and continued to apply pressure offensively. The Lopes added four runs in the third and five more in the fourth to secure the run-rule victory.

Northern Colorado was limited to one hit in the game, a single from Krista Francia, while GCU capitalized on eight two-out RBIs and went 8-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Grace Algrim, Aiyana Cordero, and Sadie Kahl each saw time in the circle for the Bears.

RECORD WATCH: Amailee Morales ranks 1st all-time in doubles (45), home runs (29) and walks (88) in program history.

Morales sits 2nd in RBIs (121), just one shy of the Northern Colorado career record of 122.

She also ranks 11th in hits (147), 4th in total bases (283) and 6th in putouts (621).

Ella Gonzales ranks 11th all-time in RBIs (78), 11th in walks (50) and 11th in home runs (14).

Gonzales also sits 7th in program history in hit by pitch (18) as she continues to climb UNC's career charts.

DUE UP: Saturday includes a second matchup with Grand Canyon followed by the first of two games against Harvard, with the weekend concluding Sunday against the Crimson.

Rally Starters Club: The Rally Starters Club is essential to the success of UNC Softball, providing enhanced training resources, advanced technology, and competitive travel opportunities that help the Bears compete at the highest level. These investments directly enrich the student-athlete experience and ensure the team is equipped to excel on and off the field.

Give to the Rally Starters Club today!

FOLLOW THE BEARS: For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.