UNC SOFTBALL LOSES FINAL GAMES AT SHOCKER INVITE

Game 1

After falling in the first two games of the weekend, UNC (12-13) continued its struggles at the Shocker Invitational on Sunday. It lost to South Dakota State (17-13), 11-2, due to struggling bats and fielding errors.

Senior Lauren Strathearn singled in the bottom of the third to get on base and came home when fellow senior Alyssa Wenzel homered to put two runs on the board.

Aside from a hit from graduate student Carson Fischer and a second from Strathearn, the Bears’ offense never truly got going. Even when it got walks, UNC never capitalized on the opportunities.

South Dakota State’s offense, however, successfully found a rhythm and scored in 5-of-7 innings. Additionally, it scored multiple runs in four frames.

UNC’S defense and bullpen struggled, as well. It gave up three fielding errors, which allowed two unearned runs to cross. The two pitchers combined for six walks, double their strikeout total.

Overall, the Bears — who have been looking to consistently put everything together — did not get it done against the Jackrabbits.

Notable stats of the game

Isabelle Dinapoli: 9 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

UNC batting: 2 R, 4 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 7 BB, 9 K, 9 LOB

SDSU batting: 11 R, 15 H, 10 RBI, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 BB, 1 SB, 3 K, 9 LOB

Game 2

The Bears (12-14) ended their weekend 0-4 in Kansas after losing their final game of the tournament to Wichita State, 10-1, in six innings.

UNC’S lone run came across in the top of the fifth. Freshman Ella Gonzales doubled to left field and was replaced by a pinch runner, Abby Gaona.

Then, sophomore Sabrina Javorsky drew a walk, and secondyear starter Jaycie Gandert was hit by a pitch. Gaona advanced to home after an error by the Shockers.

The Bears recorded three total hits in the contest, including Gonzales’ double. They made contact with the shocker pitches, only striking out twice, but the team never got them to fall. In fact, Northern Colorado grounded out in 11 of its at-bats.

UNC opens Big Sky play with a doubleheader on the road at 1 p.m. Friday against Sacramento State. The teams will play the second contest about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

Notable stats of the game

Erin Caviness: 9 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 WP

UNC batting: 1 R, 3 H, 0 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K, 4 LOB

Wichita State batting: 10 R, 9 H, 10 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 LOB

ALEX MCINTYRE — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Northern Colorado infielder Jaycie Gandert (2) scoops up a ground ball and prepares to throw to first during the Northern Colorado Bears softball game against the Weber State Wildcats at Gloria Rodriguez Field at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley April 22, 2022.