That fifth inning, however, a six-run outburst, was enough for the Bears to hand the Wildcats their first conference loss this season.

But Weber State (32-10, 10-1 Big Sky) racked up two run-rule wins to take the final two games over Northern Colorado (18-26, 6-6) and keep a cushion in first place.

WSU first baseman McKell McCuiston hit 8 for 10 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBIs and four runs scored in the series.

Sacramento State (25-20, 9-3) lurks in second after sweeping Montana, taking the final two games 2-1 and 1-0, to take control of second place over Portland State (24-15, 8-4). Weber State finishes conference play by hosting Sacramento State from April 29-30 and traveling to Portland State from May 6-7.

NOCO 7, WSU 4

McCuiston started her torrid weekend at the plate with a two-run homer to put WSU up 2-0 before the Bears ripped off a six-run fifth to take Game 1 on Friday. An error and a double got the inning going and knocked WSU starter Arissa Henderson out with a 2-1 lead, then Mariah Ramirez surrendered a triple and later a three-RBI double to put Northern Colorado up 6-2.

Mika Chong singled in two runs in the sixth inning but WSU couldn’t rally further.

WSU 18, NOCO 5

McCuiston hit another two-run homer and doubled twice, Chong hit a solo shot, each drove in four runs and Weber State demolished NoCo in five innings in Game 2 on Friday.

Chloe Camarero hit 3 for 4 with three RBIs and four runs scored. Lauren Hoe and KC Whiting each doubled. WSU racked up 19 hits and NoCo committed five errors.

Amanda Sink got the win in the circle, allowing five earned runs in five innings.

WSU 10, NOCO 1

Makayla Donahoo doubled in a run and McCuiston singled in a pair to put WSU up 4-0 in the second inning of an eventual five-inning win in Game 3 on Saturday.

In the fifth inning, Camarero bunted in a run before Whiting, Donahoo and Faith Hoe each doubled to drive in five more runs for a 10-0 lead.

Henderson picked up the win in the circle, spreading six hits across five innings and allowing one run in the final frame. She struck out three and walked zero.