Panthers Drop First Two Games of UNI-Dome Classic

Friday, February 12

Cedar Falls, Iowa

2:45 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

0-1

Nebraska

1-0

Nebraska

UNI

Panthers Drop First Two Games of UNI-Dome Classic

2/12/2016 11:47:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Riley Ubben

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa softball team fell to Nebraska 7-4 in eight innings and Saint Louis 7-2 to open up the UNI-Dome Classic on Friday.

The 2016 season-opening inning saw some superb defense from the Panthers as Anna Varriano gunned out Kiki Stokes attempting to steal second before Kristin Lock secured the second out of the inning with a diving grab in left field.

Alyssa Buchanan recorded UNI's first hit of the ballgame in the bottom of the third before Samantha Olson walked to put two runners on with one out. Brittany Krodinger recorded her first collegiate hit and RBI a batter later, sending one to the outfield to score Buchanan. Micalla Rettinger followed with two RBI of her own, scoring Olson and Krodinger to put UNI ahead 3-0.

After Nebraska picked up a run in the top of the fifth, UNI answered right back with a run of their own to maintain the three run lead. Chelsea Ross recorded a RBI single to score Olson and put the Panthers up 4-1.

On the mound, Ross tossed six complete innings and allowed three earned runs while striking out five batters before being replaced by Bailey Lange in the top of the seventh.

Nebraska brought in three runs in the top half of the inning, knotting things at 4-4 before scoring three in the eighth to take the win.

In the second game, the Panthers found themselves with the bases loaded multiple times but could not capitalize, leaving 13 runners stranded on base in the contest.

After finding themselves down 4-0, UNI began to chip away at the lead. Courtney Krodinger was hit by a pitch with the bases loading, scoring Micalla Rettinger to put the Panthers on the board. Rettinger scored again in the following inning, this time scoring on a RBI single from Ross.

The Panthers will continue UNI-Dome Classic play tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning with a contest against Green Bay at 7:15 p.m. before taking on South Dakota State at 9 p.m.