Northern Colorado softball began its 2026 season at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles, splitting a doubleheader on Friday. The Bears secured a 7-2 victory over UC Santa Barbara before falling 10-1 to No. 7 UCLA.
In the opening game, pitcher Anna Wilming delivered a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out four. Offensively, the Bears were led by home runs from Jazzy Longo, Amailee Morales, and Katie Walling. KK Christie contributed with a leadoff double in the second inning that set up Longo’s two-run homer for an early lead. Morales added another run with her solo shot in the third inning.
UC Santa Barbara narrowed the gap with a solo home run in the fourth inning, but Northern Colorado responded in the fifth as Ella Gonzales hit an RBI double and Walling followed with a two-run homer. Gonzales later drove in another run in the seventh to secure the win.
The nightcap against UCLA saw Northern Colorado challenged by one of the nation’s top teams. After UCLA took an early lead with a solo home run, Christie answered for the Bears with her own solo shot in the fourth inning to make it 3-1. However, UCLA broke open the game with seven runs in their half of the fourth inning. The Bears managed three hits against Bruins pitching; Abby Gaona and Hayden Nelson each singled while Ellyse Hydock, Grace Algrim, and Aiyana Cordero pitched for UNC.
“Amailee Morales ranks 2nd all-time in doubles (43, one shy of the school record), 1st in home runs (29) and walks (86), 2nd in RBIs (119), 11th in hits (146), 4th in total bases (276) and 6th in putouts (588), while Ella Gonzales sits 11th in hits (146), 11th in RBIs (75), 11th in walks (48) and 7th in hit by pitch (18) as both continue to climb the Northern Colorado career charts.”
Northern Colorado continues play Saturday at Smith Field on LMU’s campus with games scheduled against Long Beach State and Loyola Marymount University.
For more information about Northern Colorado Softball or to follow updates throughout the season, visit UNCBears.com or follow @UNC_BearsSB on X and Instagram.
