UNC Split Saturday at Colorado Classic with Win Over Drake

Saturday, March 7

Greeley, Colo.

2:30 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

11-12

Drake

4-12

Drake

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics

3/7/2026 8:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado split Saturday's action at the Colorado Classic at Gloria Rodriguez Field, defeating Drake 7-1 in the afternoon before falling to South Dakota State in the evening game.

GAME ONE: Northern Colorado 7, Drake 1
The Bears used early offense and a dominant performance in the circle from Grace Algrim to secure a 7-1 win over Drake and improve to 11-12 overall.

Northern Colorado struck immediately in the first inning. KK Christie doubled to lead off the frame and moved to third on a wild pitch before Katie Walling drove her home with an RBI double down the right-field line. Ella Gonzales followed with an RBI single to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.

UNC added three more runs in the second inning. After Ava Arenz reached on an error and Abby Gaona singled, Walling delivered again with an RBI single. Amailee Morales then doubled to left field, bringing home two runs to extend the advantage to 5-0.

Drake's lone run came in the third on a solo home run, but the Bears responded in the fifth. Hayden Nelson doubled down the line to start the inning and later scored on Krista Francia's RBI double. Christie added a sacrifice fly later in the frame to push the lead to 7-1.

Walling paced the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Morales added two RBIs and Gonzales drove in a run as Northern Colorado totaled 11 hits in the victory.

Algrim (2-2) delivered a complete-game performance, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out eight to earn the win.

GAME TWO: South Dakota State 24, Northern Colorado 2
The Bears were unable to contain South Dakota State's offense in the nightcap as the Jackrabbits collected 28 hits in a 24-2 victory.

South Dakota State erupted for 12 runs in the first inning and added five more in the second to quickly build a large lead. The Jackrabbits continued to add runs throughout the game, highlighted by home runs from Akayla Barnard and Kendall Daniel.

Northern Colorado answered with two runs in the bottom of the first. Katie Walling singled and Amailee Morales followed with a hit to set the table before Hayden Nelson delivered a two-run single to put the Bears on the board.

Despite the early response, the Jackrabbits' offense continued to surge. South Dakota State added three runs in the third and four in the fourth to extend the margin.

The Bears finished with six hits in the game, with Walling, Morales, Nelson, Abby Gaona and Eva Peace each contributing at the plate.

Northern Colorado concludes Colorado Classic play Sunday with a doubleheader against South Dakota at Gloria Rodriguez Field. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.

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