University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Western Illinois
Panthers Fall to Western Illinois 6-4, Davis, Hess Named All-Tournament
2/13/2005 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2005
PANTHERS FALL TO WESTERN ILLINOIS 6-4, HESS, DAVIS NAMED ALL TOURNAMENT
Minneapolis MN--The University of Northern Iowa softball team dropped its final game of the Metrodome Classic 6-4 to Western Illinois. Senior Tracy Davis and freshman Amanda Hess were named to the all-tournament team for their stellar play throughout the weekend.
The Leathernecks took an early lead in the first, scoring their first batter of the game and taking a lead they would not lose. WIU added two more in the third inning and scored three in the top of the fifth to pad its lead to 6-0.
UNI cut into the lead in the bottom half of the fifth with an RBI single from sophomore Nikki Ferden and a two-run shot over the left-center field wall from Davis. The Panthers scored their final run in the sixth with another RBI from Davis, scoring Lesley Salton, and putting the final score at 6-4.
Davis provided ample pop from the three hole with a homer and an RBI fielder's choice to lead the offense in run production. Ferden collected two hits, scored a run and drove in another.
Stephanie Aguero weathered a rocky two innings in the circle in her first collegiate start. The freshman surrendered three hits and three runs (2 earned) before being pulled in the third in favor of Uju Ibekwe. Unfortunately for Panther fans, Ibekwe didn't fare much better. The junior allowed three runs on four hits while striking out six and walking three.
UNI falls to 3-2 overall, while WIU stands at 3-2 as well. The loss puts Aguero's record at 0-1 for the season.
Davis and Hess earned all-tournament honors for their excellent performances this weekend. Hess pitched brilliantly all weekend and boasts a 2-0 record with wins over Tulsa and Wisconsin-Green Bay to her credit. The freshman did not surrender an earned run in either start, giving her a zero in the ERA column. Hess also tallied 11 strikeouts in 15 innings of work. Davis led, or tied for the lead, in nearly every offensive category. The senior hit .438 for the tourney and collected seven hits, including two doubles, a triple and a home run. Her seven RBIs played a big part in UNI's three victories this weekend.
The Panthers travel to the desert for Arizona's Wildcat Invitational next week in Tucson, AZ. UNI will meet up with Division I softball powerhouse Arizona as well as Hawaii and Marshall in the three-day tournament beginning on Friday, February 18, and concluding that Sunday.
