March 19, 2008

Game one box score
Game two box score

FRESNO, Calif. -- A spring break trip to California has been anything but a day at the beach for Northern Colorado's softball team.

Two days after finishing up a 0-5 run through the Capital Classic at Sacramento State University, the Bears dropped two scheduled five-inning games to the Fresno State Bulldogs on Tuesday, March 18.

Northern Colorado gave up seven runs in the final inning of the first game and lost 8-0. Then, Fresno State scored 10 runs in the first three innings of the second game to cruise to a 10-1 victory.

The Bears (6-27) will next play a doubleheader against San Jose State on Wednesday, March 19. The first game is scheduled to begin at noon (Pacific time).

Freshman Jamie Juelfs (3-10) started in the circle for Northern Colorado in game one and was solid for 4 1/3 innings, surrendering just one run on three hits. The Bulldogs (25-5) then came alive in the final inning, scoring four runs against Juelfs and three more against reliever Kelli Henderson.

Hillarie Van Otterloo (2-9) started in the circle in game two but struggled from the outset. She gave up seven hits in 1 2/3 innings and surrendered eight runs (two earned). Henderson again came on in relief, and she was able to hold off the Bulldogs' attack -- she gave up two runs (one earned) on four hit -- but the Bears couldn't crawl out of the hole. Offensively,

Northern Colorado collected four hits in the two contests. Jessie Schoepflin and Abby Turner each went one for two in game one, while Katelyn Landorf and Courtney Maihi picked up single hits in the second game.