Going to Oklahoma: Northern Colorado softball supporters turn out for send off to NCAA Tournament 

The Northern Colorado softball team left Greeley Wednesday evening for Stillwater, Oklahoma where the Bears will play in the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

Before the team bus to Denver International Airport, the UNC players, coaches and staff making the trip received a mini send-off celebration. Fans, alumni, other UNC staff and athletes were among those gathered outside of Butler-Hancock Athletic Center to send good wishes to the softball team.

UNC (27-24) is making its second straight appearance in the 64-team NCAA Tournament after winning a second consecutive Big Sky Conference Tournament title last weekend in Pocatello, Idaho.

The Bears were placed in the Stillwater region and will play No. 5 seed and site host Oklahoma State (44-1) at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The tournament’s first round is comprised of 16 four-team tournaments in double elimination format through Sunday. Michigan and Kentucky are the other two teams in Stillwater.

UNC played Michigan twice in Santa Barbara, California in February during its non-conference schedule and lost both games to the Wolverines, 9-1 and 4-1. Michigan led 3-1 after four innings in the first game before scoring six with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to turn in the lopsided result. UNC led the second game 1-0 through five innings. Michigan hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth for the win.

“Everybody we play will be good,” UNC coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm said Sunday of facing Oklahoma State. “It’s time to go to the show.”

Pendleton-Helm asked the well wishers Wednesday evening to join the team to form a large circle of about 75 people on the sidewalk near the team bus. The coach made the same request Sunday evening with those who watched the tournament selection show and the announcement of the challenging task of facing national powerhouse Oklahoma State.

On both evenings, Pendleton-Helm thanked everyone who was there and insisted the circle close tighter in a show of unity, pride and team spirit.

Pendleton-Helm has been in the UNC program for 23 months. In two seasons, the UNC teams have a 53-47 record with a regular-season Big Sky Conference title this year, the two conference tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

The Bears played at the University of Washington in last year’s NCAA Tournament, where they lost to the host Huskies and Minnesota in region play.