Feb. 22, 2008

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

The University of Northern Colorado softball team's trip to Fayetteville, Ark., got off to a rough start Thursday, Feb. 21, after winter weather forced it into a doubleheader against Arkansas on Friday, Feb. 22.

Once that doubleheader began, things only got worse for the Bears, who dropped the first game 6-0 and the second game 12-2 in five innings.

Northern Colorado fell to 2-11 with the losses, while Arkansas improved to 12-2.

The Bears will next play Saturday, Feb. 23, against Saint Louis in a weather-shortened Clarion Inn-Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville. NC will continue play in the tournament on Sunday against Creighton (9 a.m.) and Alcorn State (11:15 a.m.). All game times are local.

The Razorbacks struck quickly in the pre-tournament doubleheader Friday, scoring three runs in the first inning of the first game and three more in the second to take command.

The Bears had the beginnings of a comeback in the top half of the fifth after Mackenzie Barrett walked and Katelyn Landorf singled to center. But Courtney Maihi (popped out to shortstop) Kaylyn James (grounded out to the pitcher) and Jaycee Lovato (flew out to right field) were unable to capitalize.

Northern Colorado didn't get another runner on base until Hillarie Van Otterloo singled to start the seventh inning.

Van Otterloo (1-2) started in the circle for the Bears and allowed six runs on seven hits. She struck out four and walked three.

Game two

Things started better in the second game for NC. The Bears got off to a quick 2-0 first-inning lead, but the Razorbacks responded with five runs in the bottom half of the inning and never looked back.

Arkansas scored three more times in the second inning and plated another four in the third. When Northern Colorado failed to score in its half of the fifth, the game was called on the eight-run rule.

Van Otterloo went one for three in the contest - so did Heather Buckley and Jessie Schoepflin - and the one hit was a home run to center field. It wasn't enough, though, as the Razorbacks hit four home runs of their own to get the win.

Jamie Juelfs (1-6) started in the circle for Northern Colorado, but she lasted just one-third of an inning. Juelfs gave up five runs (four earned) while allowing hits to six of the eight batters she faced.

Kelli Henderson came on in relief, but she struggled with her control, allowing five walks in three and two-thirds.