Panthers Rally to Top Illinois State 5-4 in Game One, Fall 8-6 in Game Two.

Saturday, May 3

Cedar Falls, Iowa

12:00 PM

University of Northern Iowa

Illinois State

Panthers Rally to Top Illinois State 5-4 in Game One, Fall 8-6 in Game Two.

5/3/2008 8:00:00 AM | Softball

By: UNI Athletics Communications

May 3, 2008

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Junior Kelly Papesh smashed a home run to right field that started a four-hit, four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one to propel the University of Northern Iowa over visiting Illinois State, 5-4. Illinois State then jumped to an 8-2 lead in game two, and UNI's second late-game rally off the day fell just short and the Redbirds earned the 8-6 win.

GAME 1

Prior to the bottom of the seventh it looked as if Illinois State was in complete control over the Panthers. The Redbirds Kara Nelson opened the game with a solo home run to right field to put Illinois State up 1-0. UNI responded, as Machovec connected for a triple to center field and scored off a single by Aguero, tying the score at 1-1.

Illinois State put two more runs on the board in the top of the second and Michelle Henderson drilled a home run in the top of the third to give the Redbirds the 4-1 lead heading into the seventh.

The Redbirds Amber Smith had held the Panthers to just two hits prior to Papesh's homer, but gave up four hits in the seventh. After the Redbirds opened the frame with two outs, Papesh drilled the solo home run to put a spark into the Panther offense. Ashley Lepley (Albia, Iowa/Albia) connected for a double to right center. Megan Machovec (DeWitt, Iowa/Central) hit a single and advanced to second on the throw. On the same play, Lepley advanced to third and then scored on a wild throw by the Redbirds' first basemen. Stephanie Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) then drilled an RBI single up the middle to knot the score at 4-4. Jen Larsen (Moline,Ill./Moline) reached on an error by the Redbirds' third basemen and advanced to second. Rachel Gerking (Spirit Lake, Iowa/Spirit Lake) drew a walk, thus loading the bases for the Panthers. Aguero then scored the winning run for the UNI off an Amber Smith wild pitch.

Machovec finished game one 2-for-4 at the plate including two runs scored. Aguero finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Lepley earned the win for the Panthers in the circle, tossing four strikeouts in a complete game performance. Smith took the loss for the Redbirds, tossing 6.2 innings and throwing five strikeouts.

GAME 2

Amber Smith connected for a single to register game two's first hit, followed by a home run by Jessie Buker to give the Redbirds and early 2-0 lead.

UNI responded quickly again and knotted the score at 2-2. Larsen connected for a single up the middle, followed by a RBI double by Gerking. Crystal Keiper (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) followed with a RBI single to right field.

The Redbirds put five runs on the board in the top of the fifth to extend the lead to 8-2. The Panthers slowly chipped away at the Redbird lead, putting runs on the board in the fifth and sixth innings.

UNI attempted another seventh inning comeback, but fell two runs short. Aguero drilled a single up the middle and Larsen drew a walk. Gerking moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Keiper connected for a two RBI single that closed the gap to 8-4. Morgan Paulson (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) drew another walk, but was left stranded when Brittney Balduff (Mason City, Iowa/Mason City) hit a ground out to the pitcher.

Larsen finished the second game 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored. Keiper went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored.

Jen Larsen took the loss for the Panthers, tossing three innings. Rachel Smith earned the win for the Redbirds, throwing 6.1 innings.

UNI (20-27 5-15 MVC) and Illinois State (27-19, 16-7) will wrap-up the three game series with a single game tomorrow beginning at noon. Following the contest, UNI will recognize their four graduation seniors; Ashley Lepley and Heather Tarter.

NOTES:

The Panthers 5-4 win over Illinois State in game one marks UNI's first victory over the Redbirds since April 18, 2001. With the win, UNI snapped Illinois State's six-game winning streak.