Offense Shows Fight as Northern Colorado Competes in Saturday Doubleheader

Saturday, March 21

Greeley, Colo.

11 a.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

14-17

Saint Mary's

20-10

Saint Mary's (CA)

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics

3/21/2026 4:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. — Northern Colorado showed resilience at the plate but dropped both games of Saturday's doubleheader to Saint Mary's at Gloria Rodriguez Field, falling 12-4 in game one before a 9-4 decision in game two.

GAME ONE: Saint Mary's 12, Northern Colorado 4 (6 inn.)
Northern Colorado struck first in the bottom of the first when Ella Gonzales doubled to score KK Christie, giving the Bears an early 1-0 lead.

Saint Mary's responded with four runs in the second and added four more in the third to build an 8-1 advantage. The Bears answered in the bottom half of the third as Gonzales recorded her second extra-base hit of the game before Hayden Nelson launched a three-run home run to cut the deficit to 8-4.

The Gaels added runs in each of the next three innings, including two solo home runs in the fourth, to pull away late.

Gonzales led the Bears with two hits and an RBI, while Nelson drove in three runs. Christie and Katie Walling also added hits in the contest.

GAME TWO: Saint Mary's 9, Northern Colorado 4
Northern Colorado answered early adversity in game two with a strong second inning to even the score.

After Saint Mary's jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first, the Bears responded with four runs in the second. Ava Arenz drove in a run and Christie delivered a bases-clearing triple to tie the game at 4-4.

Saint Mary's regained the lead in the third and added insurance runs in the fourth and seventh to secure the win.

Christie finished with three RBIs to lead Northern Colorado, while Arenz added an RBI. Gonzales, Walling, Nelson and Krista Francia each recorded hits as the Bears totaled eight in the game.

DUE UP: BIG SKY OPENING SERIES
PORTLAND STATE (March 27-29)
Gloria Rodriguez Field | Greeley, Colo.

Northern Colorado opens Big Sky Conference play the following weekend, hosting Sacramento State for a three-game series at Gloria Rodriguez Field.

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.