Northern Colorado Bears softball will travel to Missoula for a three-game Big Sky Conference series against Montana, starting April 3. The series opens with a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., followed by the finale on Saturday at noon.
This matchup is significant as both teams are coming off successful conference starts, with Northern Colorado holding a 16-19 overall record (2-1 in Big Sky) after securing its opening league series win over Sacramento State. Montana enters the weekend leading the conference standings with an 11-22 overall record and an undefeated start in Big Sky play.
The Bears have shown strong offensive performance this season, hitting .301 as a team across their first 35 games. Five regular starters are batting above .300, including Amailee Morales (.430 average, 15 doubles), Ella Gonzales (.404 average, team-high 27 RBIs), Katie Walling (.390 average, 22 RBIs), and Hayden Nelson (nine home runs, 27 RBIs). Morales contributed significantly in their recent victory over Sacramento State with a grand slam and four RBIs; Gonzales went three-for-three with two doubles and two RBIs in that game.
In pitching, Anna Wilming led Northern Colorado during the last series by earning two wins: one complete game and another five-inning outing allowing just one run. On the opposing side, Montana is hitting .264 as a team but features standout hitter Grace Lopez (.438 average) alongside power hitters Mackenzie Bekofsky (five home runs) and Anna Cockhill (six home runs). The Grizzlies’ pitching staff has posted a collective earned run average of 5.90 this season.
Both teams have players climbing their respective program record books: Morales leads Northern Colorado all-time in doubles, home runs, RBIs, and walks while Gonzales continues to move up records for RBIs and home runs.
Looking ahead, Northern Colorado will return home next weekend for another three-game conference set against Idaho State at Gloria Rodriguez Field.
