Griz drop two games as league opens

Friday, March 28

Greeley, Colo.

2 PM

Montana

7-25, 0-1

Northern Colorado (DH)

10-21, 1-0

Montana

Northern Colorado

Photos: Jesus Ayala (UNC Athletics)

3/28/2025 8:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana softball team opened its Big Sky Conference schedule on Friday with a pair of losses against league favorite Northern Colorado at UNC's Gloria Rodriguez Field in Greeley.

The Grizzlies (7-26, 0-2 BSC) lost the opener 9-1 in six innings, a game Montana led 1-0 going into the bottom of the fifth. The Grizzlies were shut out in Game 2 by a score of 3-0.

In Game 1, Montana loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the second, then loaded the bases again in the third and came away empty both times.

The Grizzlies again loaded the bases in the fifth with nobody out and finally opened the game's scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jessica Stanfield.

Montana left nine runners stranded through the first five innings but still took a 1-0 lead to the bottom of the fifth because of a quality start from Brianna Lachermeier.

The right-hander allowed one hit in each of the first four innings but kept Northern Colorado off the scoreboard until a hit batter in the bottom of the fifth brought up Amailee Morales.

Last year's Big Sky co-Player of the Year hit a home run to right field for what would be the game-winning hit, giving the Bears (11-21, 2-0 BSC) a 2-1 lead.

"We had really competitive at-bats one through nine and had so many opportunities," said coach Stef Ewing. "We were only able to get one run across and you know one run is not going to win that game.

"We finally get one and then, boom, they come back the next inning, hit batter, home run and we're down 2-1."

A tight game turned into a run-rule victory for the Bears when four hits, four walks and a hit batter off three Montana pitchers in the bottom of the sixth turned a one-run game into a 9-1 walk-off win.

Montana's nine runners left on base matched the Grizzlies' second-highest total of the season.

"We had an opportunity to put up a crooked number and we didn't. They put up a crooked number against us," said Ewing.

Madison Tarrant, who had hit safely in five of six games going into Friday, had two of Montana's four hits in Game 1. Lachermeier took the loss despite allowing two runs over five innings.

Grace Haegele got the start in Game 2 and found herself in early trouble, the Bears loading the bases in the bottom of the first with two outs.

She appeared to be on her way to getting out of the jam when she got a fly ball to center, but the ball was dropped for an error and two unearned runs came across, making it 2-0.

They would be the only runs Northern Colorado would need to secure the win, though the Bears added an insurance run in the fourth on Morales's ninth home run of the season.

The Grizzlies managed just a single hit in Game 2 off UNC starter Anna Wilming, a transfer from Valparaiso, a single through the right side in the top of the third off the bat of Chloe Saxton.

"Their pitcher did a good job," said Ewing. "It took us a little while to make some adjustments. We have to have a bigger sense of urgency to make some adjustments offensively a little quicker."

Haegele threw five innings and allowed one earned run on five hits. Montana made three errors behind her, the most for the Grizzlies since mid-February.

"She stayed composed and managed it," said Ewing. "The errors extended innings and allowed some things to happen but she was able to work through it and keep us in the ball game.

"If we give up three runs or less, that's a great outing for us. We have to swing the bats to be able to be in the game."

The teams will play the series finale on Saturday at noon.