This
past weekend the UNC baseball team was spoiled in their regular season opener
thanks to North Dakota State. UNC struggled to manufacture runs and keep the
Bison from lighting up the scoreboard during the four game sweep.
The University of Northern Colorado has failed to start a season with
a winning record under second year head coach Carl Iwasaki. The Bears were
unable to score over five runs while North Dakota State never scored less than
11.
Last year the Bears started the season 3-20 before turning their
season around with a 19-7 conference record. In the past two seasons the Bears
have gotten off to a slow start, but have always managed to be successful when
it comes to conference play.
Spirits were high going into the
season opener, but not once did the Bears have a lead against North Dakota
State. UNC did not score a run until the seventh inning of the first game and
tacked on two more in the ninth. Unfortunately, it was not enough to overcome
the nine-run deficit.
On Saturday and Sunday the struggles
continued for the Bears. During the windy double header Saturday the Bears were
outscored 29-6 and committed five errors on defense. In the series finale UNC
scored one run in the first and one run sixth while North Dakota scored in
every inning but the sixth.
The Bears do not have time to dwell on their opening weekend losses.
UNC must prepare for a tough series in Pullman, Wash. against a well-rounded Washington State.
