The University of Northern Colorado softball team has placed four players on the Big Sky Conference Preseason All-Conference Team, according to an announcement from the league office. The selections include Amailee Morales at first base, Krista Francia at shortstop, Katie Walling at third base, and Anna Wilming as pitcher. All four athletes are returning to a lineup that features several experienced players.
Amailee Morales enters her senior season following strong performances in previous years. In 2025, she posted a .372 batting average and ranked among the conference’s top five in multiple offensive categories. She finished second in home runs with 14 and set a record for RBIs in 2024 with 73. Her accolades include First Team All-Conference honors, Big Sky Co-Player of the Year recognition, and MVP honors for the All-Tournament Team.
Krista Francia also returns as a senior after earning First Team All-Conference honors last season. She started 47 games in 2025, batting .360 with 50 hits and driving in 28 RBIs. Francia was recognized for her plate discipline and defensive skills at shortstop.
Katie Walling made an immediate impact during her first season with Northern Colorado. She earned Tri-Top Newcomer of the Year honors and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2025. Walling started 49 games, batted .359, scored 44 runs, and collected 60 hits.
Anna Wilming is entering her junior year after being one of the main pitchers for Northern Colorado last season. She appeared in 29 games with seven complete games and two shutouts over 109 innings pitched. Wilming received Big Sky Pitcher of the Week honors twice and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
In addition to individual recognitions, the Big Sky released its Preseason Coaches’ Poll projecting Northern Colorado to finish fourth in conference standings this year. Idaho State is picked as preseason favorite followed by Weber State and Sacramento State.
The Bears will open their season on February 6 at the Southern California Tournament in Los Angeles with games scheduled against UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, Long Beach State, LMU, and UC Riverside over three days.
For more information about Northern Colorado Softball or updates throughout the season, visit UNCBears.com or follow @UNC_BearsSB on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
