TEMPE, Ariz. ? The University of South Alabama softball team fell 5-3 to Northern Colorado on the final day of the Arizona State Wilson/DeMarini Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., despite a two-run home run by Tara Donaldson.

UNC (5-12) opened the game with two unearned runs in the second inning, after Erin Wilkinson came in off Noel Wees’ walk. Kailee Vessy later crossed the plate on Jessica Schoepflin’s fielder’s choice to push a 2-0 Bears lead.  

Haley Hopkins came in for Shannon Smith to get the last out of the inning. Smith left the game with five strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work.

The Bears extended their lead in the third when Jessica McNabb homered to left field. Latter in the inning, Erin Geddis singled through the left side to score Wilkinson and Amanda Hensley came around to score UNC’s fifth and final run on a wild pitch.

McNabb went 1-for-3 at the plate for the Bears and finished with one RBI and one run scored.

In the fourth, Tara Donaldson put the Jags on the board when the senior lifted a two-run homer over left field to bring around Carolina Mendoza. Donaldson finished the day 2-for-4 at the plate for South Alabama.

USA (7-12-1) was able to get one more run in the seventh on a Katie McGuire RBI double, but that was as close as the Jags were able to get. Jamie Juelfs came on to record the final out for Northern Colorado for Melisa Ryba who picked up the win for the Bears. Ryba recorded 6.2 innings pitched and allowed six hits. Smith took the loss for South Alabama.

“We took a big step forward as a team this weekend,” said head coach Becky Clark. “I thought played well and did good as a team. I’m excited to get started in conference.”

South Alabama softball will continue its current road swing on Wednesday when it heads to Jackson, Miss. to take on Jackson State at 6 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).