Bears Split Friday Doubleheader with Creighton to Open Colorado Classic

Friday, February 27

Greeley, Colo.

1 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

7-9

Creighton

5-11

Creighton

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics

2/27/2026 7:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado opened the Colorado Classic DI Tournament with a split against Creighton on Friday at Gloria Rodriguez Field, taking game one 6-4 before falling in a high-scoring nightcap, 20-11.

GAME ONE: Northern Colorado 6, Creighton 4
The Bears used timely hitting and steady pitching to improve to 7-9 overall, holding off a late Creighton push behind Anna Wilming in the circle.

After a scoreless first inning, UNC struck in the second. Ella Gonzales led off with a single and Katie Walling followed with a double to left. Gonzales came home on a passed ball before Krista Francia grounded out to bring in Walling and give the Bears a 2-0 lead.

Northern Colorado added two more in the third. Amailee Morales singled and later scored following an infield miscue, while Walling delivered again with an RBI single to push the lead to 4-0.

Creighton responded in the fourth with a three-run home run from Keegan Mayhue to trim the margin to 4-3, but UNC answered in the fifth. Morales drew a walk and came around to score on Walling's third hit of the afternoon, and Francia added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 6-3.

Wilming (4-2) went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts to earn the win. Grace Algrim closed the door with two innings of relief, striking out three and earning her first save of the season.

Walling paced the offense, going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Gonzales also went 3-for-3, while Morales reached base three times with a hit and two walks.

Creighton added a run in the seventh on an RBI double, but Algrim recorded the final out to secure the 6-4 victory.

GAME TWO: Creighton 20, Northern Colorado 11
The nightcap turned into an offensive showcase, with both teams combining for 31 runs and 33 hits.

Northern Colorado exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the first inning. Walling delivered a two-run double to get things started, Hayden Nelson added a two-run single, and Jazzy Longo capped the inning with a grand slam down the left-field line as UNC built a 9-0 lead.

Creighton responded immediately. The Bluejays scored one in the second and erupted for eight runs in the third, highlighted by a grand slam from Mayhue, to tie the game at 9-9. From there, Creighton's offense continued to surge, plating four runs in the fourth, four in the fifth, and three more in the seventh to pull away.

Longo finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs in game two, including her first-inning homer. Walling added two doubles and three RBIs, while Christie and Morales each recorded multi-hit efforts.

Despite the early cushion, UNC was unable to contain Creighton's lineup, which tallied 22 hits and four home runs. Ellyse Hydock took the loss in the circle as the Bluejays evened the series.

DUE UP: The Bears will look to bounce back Saturday as the Colorado Classic continues with a 10:30 a.m. matchup against Creighton in Fort Collins, followed by a 1 p.m. contest against Colorado State at Ram Field.

RECORD WATCH: Amailee Morales ranks 1st all-time in doubles (50), home runs (29), RBIs (125) and walks (96) in program history. She is 8th in hits (165), 3rd in total bases (306) and 5th in putouts (691). She also ranks third all-time in Big Sky Conference history in doubles and fifth in walks.

Ella Gonzales ranks 10th all-time in RBIs (84), 11th in walks (54) and 11th in home runs (16), and sits seventh in program history in hit by pitch (18).

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.