UNI Battles to a Split on Day 2 of Mizuno Classic

Saturday, March 4

Stillwater, Okla.

11 a.m.

University of Northern Iowa

9-7

Tennessee Tech

4-13

UNI

Tennessee Tech

UNI Battles to a Split on Day 2 of Mizuno Classic

3/4/2017 3:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Stillwater, Okla. - It was a full team effort on Saturday as the University of Northern Iowa Panthers rallied together for day two of the Mizuno Classic.

The Panthers kicked off the day against Tennessee Tech (4-13) with a quick lead thanks to the assistance of the Golden Eagles pitcher, Danielle Liberatore.

With bases loaded in the top of the first, Kennedy Bailey would get walked to first base and walk in Brittney Roby. As bases were still loaded, Bailey Lange would follow suit and be walked to bring in Macey Wolfe. TTU's pitcher would hit Anna Varriano with a pitch to put her on first and ultimately walk in Alyssa Buchanan to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.

Even with Bailey Lange starting as pitcher, Tennessee Tech would answer back in the bottom of the fourth after two doubles and a homerun tied up the game 3-3. After the Golden Eagles home run, Jaci Spencer would come in as pitcher for Lange and end the inning.

The Panthers were not going to give up on the fight for the win. In the top of the sixth, UNI came out swinging for the fences. Courtney Krodinger hit a double down left field line while only having one out on the boards. Sammey Bunch immediately followed C. Krodinger's hit with a home run to give the Panthers back the lead, 5-3.

One last triple from Jaci Spencer in the top of the seventh brought in Wolfe to seal the deal and give the Panthers a 6-3 victory.

The second game of the day for UNI would be a challenge against Abilene Christian (9-10).

Buchanan would be the starting pitcher against ACU. The Wildcats hit a home run off of Buchanan's pitch and had one on base to give them an early 2-0 lead.

After an unearned run from the Wildcats in the top of the third, Lange would come in for Buchanan. ACU would score once more with Lange at pitcher to end the top of the third in the lead, 4-0.

Once again, the Panthers would not be taken down easily and battled back in the bottom of the third.

Bases were loaded when Wolfe walked up to the plate. She reached first base on an error by ACU's shortstop and brought home Bunch and Ashley Chesser. With the Panthers only down by two, Roby would attempt to give the UNI another run but was out at home plate. Lange would be up at bat when Wolfe would score on a wild pitch. A single into right field by Lange would bring in Buchanan as well as Kennedy Bailey after Bailey jumped over ACU's catcher to give the Panthers a 5-4 lead.

The top of the seventh inning would be the final time either team would score for the game. After bringing in Spencer to pitch for Lange, the Wildcats' Holly Neese would hit a home run to give them the lead.

UNI was unable to answer back in the bottom of the seventh and lost the game 6-5.

The Panthers look forward to a rematch with Oklahoma State on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. to close out the Mizuno Classic.