Pitcher's Battle Leads to Panther Loss

Sunday, February 26

Ruston, La.

12:30 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

7-6

McNeese State

6-9

McNeese State

UNI

Pitcher's Battle Leads to Panther Loss

2/26/2017 2:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RUSTON, LA – It was a battle of the pitchers as the University of Northern Iowa softball team wrapped up the final day of the Louisiana Tech Classic against McNeese State this Sunday.

UNI (7-6) pitcher Bailey Lange and McNeese State (6-9) pitcher Alexsandra Flores went head to head as both players made it difficult for anyone to get any hits for the majority of the game.

Both teams were scoreless until the top of the third when McNeese State's Erika Piancastelli hit a two-out home run. That hit would be the second hit of the game. It wouldn't be until the top of fifth when McNeese would get another hit.

The bottom of the fifth was fruitful for the Panthers as Lange came out with only one out on the board and hit a home run. Lange's hit brought the game to a 1-1 tie.

The top of the seventh is when McNeese State pulled away and broke the tie. The Cowgirls would score five runs on four hits which led to a 6-1 lead. With Lange losing steam, a pitching change to bring in Alyssa Buchanan helped end the top of the seventh.

UNI would bring a glimpse of hope when Courtney Krodinger led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run. That would be the only run for the Panthers and would give McNeese State the victory, 6-2.

The Panthers will be back on the road March 3-5 as they head to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to compete in the Oklahoma State Classic.