University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, February 27
St. George, Utah.
4:05 p.m. MST
University of Northern Colorado
at
Utah Tech
Jesus Ayala | UNC Athletics
PREVIEW: Bears Baseball Heads to Utah Tech for Four-Game Road Series
2/25/2026 11:05:00 AM | Baseball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado baseball is set to hit the road and continue their 19-game road stretch, heading to Utah Tech for a four-game series set to start on Friday, February 27 with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m. MT at Bruce Hurst Field.
LAST TIMEOUT: Northern Colorado Bears baseball dropped four games of its road series against the New Mexico Lobos baseball at Lobo Baseball Field but showed offensive firepower throughout the weekend.
The Lobos took the opener 16–5 behind a five-run first inning and a seven-run fifth. Northern Colorado responded with improved efforts in Saturday's doubleheader, falling 6–0 in game one before dropping a tight 6–5 decision in the nightcap despite collecting 14 hits.
The Bears battled into extra innings before falling 12–11 in 10 in Sunday's finale. Northern Colorado tallied 40 hits over the final three games and delivered multiple multi-hit performances, but key innings and timely hitting from New Mexico proved decisive in the series sweep.
NOTES ABOUT THE BEARS: The offense has shown strong early production, highlighted by consistent contact, timely hitting, and emerging power throughout the lineup. Zeke Minic has been great, leading the group with a .429 batting average and a 1.000 OPS, collecting six hits in 14 at-bats. Jake Bullard has delivered the most complete offensive performance, batting .379 with a team-best 1.107 OPS. His production includes four doubles and a home run, while also drawing five walks to consistently create scoring opportunities.
Mason Griffin has provided steady contact at a .308 average over eight starts, while Logan Pruski is hitting .286 and has driven in four runs, showing his ability to contribute in key situations. Jaden Stone has been a catalyst offensively, scoring eight runs and posting a strong .815 OPS.
Brett Barber has added extra-base impact with two doubles and a triple, driving in a team-high five runs and contributing timely offense. Sam Pease has added depth to the lineup with four hits in 16 at-bats and continues to work toward building consistency at the plate.
SCOUTING UTAH TECH: This Trailblazers are off to a 7-1 start to the season and features a deep lineup that consistently applies offensive pressure. Through eight games, the team is hitting .304 with a strong .411 on-base percentage and .396 slugging percentage, outscoring opponents 63–31. Their offensive identity is built around contact quality and plate discipline, drawing 42 walks against 48 strikeouts while limiting swing-and-miss.
Kyle McDaniel has been the offensive catalyst, hitting .469 with a .585 OBP and .625 SLG. He combines barrel accuracy with strike-zone discipline (8 BB, just 2 SO) and has shown extra-base ability. Ty Johnsen provides gap power (4 doubles, .611 SLG) and consistent run production, while Ryan Kroepel leads the team with 11 RBIs and adds power with a home run.
The lineup shows depth, with multiple hitters batting above .300, including Petey Soto Jr., Kace Naone, and Miller Durham. Durham and Johnsen anchor the defense, helping the team post a strong .986 fielding percentage with just four total errors. The club has also turned seven double plays, demonstrating defensive efficiency.
Fans can catch all the live action on the WAC International for all four games and can stay up to date with coverage through the official UNC Baseball social media channels.
ON DECK: After completing their four-game series against Utah Tech, the Bears will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a two-game midweek series against UNLV on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4, at Earl E. Wilson Baseball Stadium.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the baseball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsBSB) and Instagram (@UNC_BearsBaseball).
LAST TIMEOUT: Northern Colorado Bears baseball dropped four games of its road series against the New Mexico Lobos baseball at Lobo Baseball Field but showed offensive firepower throughout the weekend.
The Lobos took the opener 16–5 behind a five-run first inning and a seven-run fifth. Northern Colorado responded with improved efforts in Saturday's doubleheader, falling 6–0 in game one before dropping a tight 6–5 decision in the nightcap despite collecting 14 hits.
The Bears battled into extra innings before falling 12–11 in 10 in Sunday's finale. Northern Colorado tallied 40 hits over the final three games and delivered multiple multi-hit performances, but key innings and timely hitting from New Mexico proved decisive in the series sweep.
NOTES ABOUT THE BEARS: The offense has shown strong early production, highlighted by consistent contact, timely hitting, and emerging power throughout the lineup. Zeke Minic has been great, leading the group with a .429 batting average and a 1.000 OPS, collecting six hits in 14 at-bats. Jake Bullard has delivered the most complete offensive performance, batting .379 with a team-best 1.107 OPS. His production includes four doubles and a home run, while also drawing five walks to consistently create scoring opportunities.
Mason Griffin has provided steady contact at a .308 average over eight starts, while Logan Pruski is hitting .286 and has driven in four runs, showing his ability to contribute in key situations. Jaden Stone has been a catalyst offensively, scoring eight runs and posting a strong .815 OPS.
Brett Barber has added extra-base impact with two doubles and a triple, driving in a team-high five runs and contributing timely offense. Sam Pease has added depth to the lineup with four hits in 16 at-bats and continues to work toward building consistency at the plate.
SCOUTING UTAH TECH: This Trailblazers are off to a 7-1 start to the season and features a deep lineup that consistently applies offensive pressure. Through eight games, the team is hitting .304 with a strong .411 on-base percentage and .396 slugging percentage, outscoring opponents 63–31. Their offensive identity is built around contact quality and plate discipline, drawing 42 walks against 48 strikeouts while limiting swing-and-miss.
Kyle McDaniel has been the offensive catalyst, hitting .469 with a .585 OBP and .625 SLG. He combines barrel accuracy with strike-zone discipline (8 BB, just 2 SO) and has shown extra-base ability. Ty Johnsen provides gap power (4 doubles, .611 SLG) and consistent run production, while Ryan Kroepel leads the team with 11 RBIs and adds power with a home run.
The lineup shows depth, with multiple hitters batting above .300, including Petey Soto Jr., Kace Naone, and Miller Durham. Durham and Johnsen anchor the defense, helping the team post a strong .986 fielding percentage with just four total errors. The club has also turned seven double plays, demonstrating defensive efficiency.
Fans can catch all the live action on the WAC International for all four games and can stay up to date with coverage through the official UNC Baseball social media channels.
ON DECK: After completing their four-game series against Utah Tech, the Bears will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a two-game midweek series against UNLV on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4, at Earl E. Wilson Baseball Stadium.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the baseball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsBSB) and Instagram (@UNC_BearsBaseball).
Players Mentioned
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