Northern Colorado softball drops both games to UCSB

Game 1

The University of Northern Colorado (5-8) started the second day of the Silicon Valley Classic with a 9-1 loss to UC Santa Barbara (6-4) in five innings.

UNC’s lone run came across in the top of the third after graduate student Paola Villegas hit an RBI double to bring senior Alyssa Wenzel home.

Other than that, the Bears never got their bats going. Wenzel was the only player to record two hits in the contest.

The Gauchos, however, had plenty of hits and three for extra bases. They took a 6-0 lead by the end of the second.

Northern Colorado was never able to respond nor could it stop UCSB’s hot hitting. It also assisted the opponent, committing three errors.

Erin Caviness: 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

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

UCSB batting: 9 R, 13 H, 8 RBI, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K, 4 LOB

Game 2

UNC’s (5-9) offense was better in the second game of the day against Santa Clara (6-8), but it still could not get the win.

Wenzel contributed to the scoring once again, logging an RBI single in the third to push sophomore Jaycie Gandert home for the team’s first run.

Senior Lauren Strathearn came across after a single by junior Alexsi Barashkoff. Finally, Wenzel stole home to give the Bears a 3-0 lead.

Santa Clara came roaring back, though. The Broncos tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the third before putting up six in the fourth.

Errors played a big factor in the outcome. The Bears committed four errors in the loss and gave up three unearned runs.

Northern Colorado went on to score another run off Bronco error, but it could not complete a comeback.

The Bears finish the Silicon Valley Classic at 10 a.m. Sunday when they face Saint Mary’s.