University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Monday, May 4
Pocatello, Idaho
4:30 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
23-26
5
vs
6
Sacramento State
32-18
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento State | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| Northern Colo. | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
Bears Fall Short in Big Sky Opener, 6-5 to Sacramento State
5/4/2026 6:57:00 PM | Softball
POCATELLO, Idaho – Northern Colorado softball came up just short in its Big Sky Tournament opener, falling 6-5 to Sacramento State on Monday afternoon at Direct Communications Field at Miller Ranch Stadium.
Sacramento State wasted no time setting the tone, plating three runs in the top of the first inning behind a pair of home runs to take an early 3-0 lead. Northern Colorado settled in after the opening frame and began to chip away, responding in the third when Katie Walling launched a two-run homer to cut the deficit to one.
The Bears carried that momentum into the fourth inning, as back-to-back solo home runs from Krista Francia and Hayden Nelson gave Northern Colorado its first lead of the game at 4-3.
Sacramento State answered in the fifth, using a triple and a sacrifice fly to regain a 5-4 advantage before adding an insurance run in the sixth on another long ball.
Northern Colorado continued to battle late, putting together a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Kenzie Carter delivered a pinch-hit single to spark the offense, and Amailee Morales followed with an RBI base hit to bring the Bears within one. The tying run advanced into scoring position, but Sacramento State was able to record the final out and secure the 6-5 win.
The Bears totaled nine hits in the contest, highlighted by multi-hit performances from Francia and Morales, while Walling, Francia and Nelson each homered.
ON DECK: Northern Colorado will look to bounce back tomorrow as it continues Big Sky Tournament play against Weber State. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. MDT tomorrow in Pocatello.
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
Sacramento State wasted no time setting the tone, plating three runs in the top of the first inning behind a pair of home runs to take an early 3-0 lead. Northern Colorado settled in after the opening frame and began to chip away, responding in the third when Katie Walling launched a two-run homer to cut the deficit to one.
The Bears carried that momentum into the fourth inning, as back-to-back solo home runs from Krista Francia and Hayden Nelson gave Northern Colorado its first lead of the game at 4-3.
Sacramento State answered in the fifth, using a triple and a sacrifice fly to regain a 5-4 advantage before adding an insurance run in the sixth on another long ball.
Northern Colorado continued to battle late, putting together a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Kenzie Carter delivered a pinch-hit single to spark the offense, and Amailee Morales followed with an RBI base hit to bring the Bears within one. The tying run advanced into scoring position, but Sacramento State was able to record the final out and secure the 6-5 win.
The Bears totaled nine hits in the contest, highlighted by multi-hit performances from Francia and Morales, while Walling, Francia and Nelson each homered.
ON DECK: Northern Colorado will look to bounce back tomorrow as it continues Big Sky Tournament play against Weber State. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. MDT tomorrow in Pocatello.
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
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bacon, Kennedie (11-7)
L: Wilming, Anna (12-11)
Batting:
3B: Raab, Saskia 1
HR: Evers-Lyles, Madison 2 ; Mendoza, Madi 1
RBI: Evers-Lyles, Madison 3 ; Raab, Saskia 1 ; Mendoza, Madi 2
SF: Mendoza, Madi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Evers-Lyles, Madison 2 ; Malepeai, Lafulafu 1 ; Epperson, Faith 1 ; Raab, Saskia 1 ; Mendoza, Madi 1
SB: Mendoza, Madi 1
Batting:
HR: Francia, Krista 1 ; Walling, Katie 1 ; Nelson, Hayden 1
RBI: Morales, Amailee 1 ; Francia, Krista 1 ; Walling, Katie 2 ; Nelson, Hayden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Francia, Krista 1 ; Walling, Katie 1 ; Gaona, Abby 1 ; Christie, KK 1 ; Nelson, Hayden 1
HBP: Walling, Katie 1
Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
INF
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