Bats Break Out as Bears Split Doubleheader with St. Thomas

Saturday, March 14

Greeley, Colo.

11 a.m. MDT

University of Northern Colorado

2-18, 0-1

St. Thomas

4-13, 1-0

St. Thomas (Minn.)

Northern Colo.

3/14/2026 8:21:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado opened conference play Saturday afternoon with an 8–5 loss to St. Thomas at Jackson Field.

The Bears collected 12 hits in the contest and erased an early deficit, but a late offensive surge from the Tommies proved to be the difference.

St. Thomas struck first with a run in the opening inning before Northern Colorado answered in the second. An RBI triple from Ethan Mooser highlighted a two-run frame that gave the Bears their first lead of the afternoon. The Tommies tied the game in the fourth, but Northern Colorado again responded in the sixth when Zeke Minic launched a home run and Logan Pruski followed with a solo shot to even the score at 4–4.

St. Thomas regained control late, scoring one run in the seventh before adding three more in the ninth to extend its lead. Northern Colorado plated one run in the bottom of the ninth but could not complete the comeback.

Pruski led the Bears offensively with three hits and an RBI, while Minic added two hits and a home run. Mooser and Ethan Fillinger each recorded multi-hit efforts as the Bears finished with 12 hits.

Game 1 – St. Thomas 8, Northern Colorado 5

UNC bounced back in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, defeating St. Thomas 9–4 to earn its first conference victory of the season at Jackson Field. The Bears offense came alive with 15 hits, scoring in four different innings to secure the win.

St. Thomas jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first and two more in the third, but Northern Colorado steadily chipped away. The Bears plated single runs in the first and second innings before taking the lead with a two-run third.

Zeke Minic provided a spark with a two-run home run, while Mason Griffin later added a solo shot. UNC created separation late in the game, scoring two runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to seal the victory.

Brett Barber drove in three runs and scored twice to lead the Bears, while Jake Bullard added two RBIs. Mooser and Logan Pruski each contributed two hits as part of the 15-hit effort.

On the mound, Jake Storey struck out eight over 6.2 innings before Lucas Stone earned the win in relief and Brady Hudson closed out the game.

Game 2 – Northern Colorado 9, St. Thomas 4

ON DECK: Northern Colorado heads on the road, beginning with a two-game midweek series at No. 6 Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Bears will then travel to Omaha, Nebraska, to resume Summit League play with a three-game series against the Mavericks starting Friday, March 20.

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