Panthers Sweep Bradley in Doubleheader

Wednesday, April 2

Peoria, Ill.

2:00 PM

University of Northern Iowa

Bradley

Panthers Sweep Bradley in Doubleheader

4/2/2008 8:00:00 AM | Softball

By: UNI Athletics Communications

April 2, 2008

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

PEORIA, Ill. - The University of Northern Iowa softball team earned its first Missouri Valley Conference wins of the season over host Bradley Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers topped Bradley 2-0 and 6-2.

Both teams struggled at the plate in game one, as both teams combined for just five hits. UNI's Crystal Keiper (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) connected for two of the Panthers three hits, including a two RBI double to center field that gave the Panthers the win.

The scored stayed deadlocked at zero until the top of the seventh. Jen Larsen (Moline,Ill./Moline) reached base on a walk and Rachel Gerking (Spirit Lake, Iowa/Spirit Lake) reached when she was hit by an Ashley Birdsong pitch. Keiper then stroked a double to center field, sending in both runners.

Larsen pitched her sixth complete-game for the Panthers, allowing just two hits and two walks in the contest.

Bradley's Birdsong took the loss for the Braves despite tossing 11 strikeouts and walking just two batters.

Game 2

UNI's bats heated up in the second game, connecting for eight hits in comparison to the Braves four. UNI took the lead in the top of the second inning and didn't look back to take the 6-2 win and complete the doubleheader sweep.

Michelle Phillips (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee) registered the first hit for the Panthers in the top of the second, stroking a single to left center. Keiper then connected for her third hit of the day, followed by a Brittney Balduf (Mason City, Iowa/Mason City) single; loading the bases for the Panthers. Kelly Papesh (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) drove in the game's first run with a sacrifice hit to center field. Ashley Lepley (Albia, Iowa/Albia) then blasted a two RBI triple to left center to put the Panthers up 3-0 heading into the bottom of the second.

Bradley answered in the bottom of the third, driving in one run to close the gap to 3-1.

Three errors by the Braves in the top of the fourth allowed UNI to plate three runs and take the lead for good. Two consecutive errors by the Braves third basemen allowed the Panthers to put runners on first and third; Balduf registered her first steal of the season, thus moving the runners to second and third. Papesh drove in her second RBI of the game, with a ground out to the shortstop. Lepley connected for her second extra-base hit of the day, this time an RBI double to left center. The innings' third error plated the final run of the day for the Panthers, putting UNI up 6-1.

The Braves Trish Kowalewski hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little too late and the Panthers took the 6-2 win.

Lepley pitched her seventh complete-game of the season, retiring six batters and allowing no walks in the contest. Along with a solid pitching effort, Lepley finished the second game 2-for-3, including two extra-base hits and three RBIs.

UNI moves to 14-17 and 2-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play. UNI will return to Cedar Falls and Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex to host in-state rival Drake in a three-game series this weekend.