Weber State softball struggled for a third time with No. 1 Northern Colorado’s (25-23) ace, then ran No. 6 Montana (17-33) off the field in two run-rule decisions Thursday at the Big Sky Conference tournament in Pocatello, Idaho, keeping the No. 5 Wildcats (22-27) alive for another day.

Weber State next plays No. 4 Portland State at 1:30 p.m. Friday in another elimination game. PSU eliminated host and No. 2 seed Idaho State with a 6-5 win Thursday night. WSU defeated PSU 4-3 on Wednesday to open the tournament and is 3-1 against the Vikings this season.

The winner plays immediately after that game against the loser of Friday morning’s game between Northern Colorado and No. 3 Sacramento State.

WEBER STATE 11, MONTANA 0

In Thursday’s second game, WSU used a seven-run third inning to blow past Montana for a fourth time this season and eliminate the Griz in five innings.

Brooke Hatfield threw four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out one. Jayci Finch threw the final frame, allowing one hit.

Makayla Donahoo hit a two-run homer to center field in the second inning to make it 3-0.

In the seven-run third, singles, an error and a hit-by-pitch led to Taegan Smith cracking a three-RBI double to make it 10-0.

Abby Grundy hit two doubles. Grundy, Donahoo, Eva Richardson and Mariyah Delgado each totaled two hits.

N. COLORADO 8, WEBER STATE 0

Weber State got its third chance to face Northern Colorado ace Erin Caviness, but the righty was as dominant as ever.

Caviness threw a one-hit shutout, striking out nine Wildcats while walking zero, to open Day 2 of the tournament Thursday morning with a five-inning, run-rule win for the No. 1 seed.

Mia Rushton singled up the middle in the third inning for WSU’s only hit and Kiaira Smith took a hit-by-pitch in the first inning, representing the team’s only baserunners for the game.

In three starts against WSU this season, Caviness has allowed one earned run on eight hits in 17 innings, striking out 19 and walking two.

Northern Colorado scored seven runs in the third inning, sparked by an Ella Gonzales two-run homer.

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