Panthers Drop Series Finale to Drake, 3-2

Wednesday, April 27

Des Moines, Iowa

5 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

35-15, 13-7

Drake

25-22, 13-7

UNI

Drake

Panthers Drop Series Finale to Drake, 3-2

4/27/2016 6:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Riley Ubben

DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa softball team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against Drake on Wednesday evening before falling to the Bulldogs, 3-2. The Panthers (35-15, 13-7 MVC) produced three hits in the pitcher's duel, as both teams combined for just six hits in the ballgame.

Kennedy Bailey opened the scoring for UNI in the top of the second inning with a solo-shot to deep center field. The two-strike shot marked Bailey's eighth of the season, tied for second most on the team.

Chelsea Ross followed with a long ball of her own in the fourth inning, hitting one almost identical to Bailey's homer in the second inning.

In the circle, Ross was in the zone early for the Panthers as she struck out five batters in the first two innings, finishing with seven on the day.

After recording just one hit through the first four innings, Drake's Kelsey Wright hit a three-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth inning to take their first lead of the evening, 3-2.

Alyssa Buchanan added the third and final hit for UNI in the top of the seventh, but the Panthers could not push across the game-tying run in the final frame.

UNI will return to conference play over the weekend when they travel to Carbondale, Ill. to take on Southern Illinois. First pitch of the doubleheader between the Panthers and Salukis is scheduled for Saturday at noon.