UNI Takes Two on Day One of Wooo Pig Classic

Friday, March 4

Fayetteville, Ark.

12:30 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

12-5

Wright State

7-10

UNI

Wright State

UNI Takes Two on Day One of Wooo Pig Classic

3/4/2016 10:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Riley Ubben

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Northern Iowa softball team went unbeaten at day one of the Wooo Pig Classic, shutting out Wright State 5-0 before downing host Arkansas 8-6 in the final game of the evening.

After allowing a hit in the second at-bat of the day, Chelsea Ross kept the Raiders hit-less over the next three innings before allowing a single in the fifth on the way to her fifth win of the season. Ross allowed just three hits while striking out eight on her way to her first complete game shutout of the year.

Two home runs in the top of the third inning propelled the Panthers (13-5) to a 5-0 lead. After Brittany Krodinger drove in Samantha Olson for the first run of the game, Ross sent one deep over the wall in center field for her third of the year. The senior's two RBI put her at a team-leading 17 on the year. Kristin Lock got in on the action two batters later with a home run to left field, scoring Caitlin Wnek.

Lock's second home run of the day and the season came in game two as she sent a rope over the wall in left field to give UNI an early 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Alyssa Buchanan came through at the plate for the Panthers in the following inning, sending a double to center field to score Micalla Rettinger, Wnek, and Lock and put UNI ahead 4-0. The senior finished the game a perfect 4-4. In the circle, Buchanan tossed 5.1 innings while striking out five, including one to end the fourth inning with the bases loaded for Arkansas.

Kennedy Bailey's first home run of the season in the sixth inning put the Panthers ahead 6-0 after a Ross single to lead-off the inning.

Arkansas answered UNI's two runs with two of their own in the next half inning, scoring two runs on two hits and an error to cut the Panther lead to two. The Razorbacks cut the UNI further in the sixth inning, scoring three on two home runs to bring the score to 6-5.

The Panthers got it done with some small ball in the top of the seventh. After back-to-back singles from Bailey and Buchanan to open the inning, Courtney Krodinger laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Kate Kinnetz from second on a throwing error by the Arkansas third basemen. Brittany Krodinger added to the Panther lead, putting one in play to score her sister Courtney from third and put UNI ahead 8-5.

Arkansas' Shelby Hiers hit a solo shot in the seventh inning, but the Razorback comeback was cut short on a strikeout from Ross. Ross pitched the final inning for the Panthers, earning her first save of the year.

The Panthers will continue play at the Wooo Pig Classic tomorrow when they face-off against Buffalo at 12:30 p.m. before their rematch with Arkansas at 5:30 p.m.