Northern Colorado senior pitcher Erin Caviness threw two masterpieces against Weber State to lead the Bears to a three-game sweep of the Wildcats in Greeley, Colorado.

The decisions elevated Northern Colorado (22-19, 7-2 Big Sky) into first place with two weeks remaining while dropping Weber State (17-21, 5-4) to fourth place. Portland State (16-19, 5-3) is in second after splitting two games with third-place Sacramento State (22-14, 3-2); PSU and Sac State played twice Friday before Saturday’s game got rained out, which is the Hornets’ fourth rain out of conference play.

Caviness allowed one run on seven hits in two six-inning complete games, striking out 10 and walking one — and gave up one hit and struck out one in a one-inning save in the game she didn’t start.

WSU next plays a road game Wednesday at Utah, then hosts Sacramento State for three games April 19-20.

NOCO 9, WSU 1

Northern Colorado opened the series Friday by hitting two home runs against WSU pitcher Brooke Hatfield. Taegan Smith and Eva Richardson executed a double steal for Weber State to briefly cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fourth, but the Wildcats could not score again.

Richardson had two of WSU’s three hits in the game. Ella Gonzales batted 3 for 4 with five RBIs for the Bears.

NOCO 3, WSU 2

The game WSU needed to grab was Friday’s nightcap. Eva Richardson singled home Kiaira Smith in the first and Mia Rushton drove in Makayla Donahoo in the second for an early 2-0 WSU lead.

Northern Colorado tied it up with two runs in the third and scored what was the game-winner with an RBI groundout in the fourth.

WSU left a runner on second base in the third, fourth and sixth innings, totaling eight hits in six innings against Isabelle DiNapoli.

Caviness took the circle in the seventh for the Bears. Olivia Birkinshaw singled with two outs but Caviness struck out Taegan Smith in an eight-pitch at-bat to end the game.

Cali McCraw took the tough loss for Weber State, allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings.

NOCO 8, WSU 0

In Saturday’s finale, Northern Colorado slowly put away another six-inning win with Caviness dealing in the circle.

WSU committed seven errors; the Bears scored three earned runs. Mia Rushton had two of Weber’s four hits.

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