University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
UAB
Panthers Run-Rule UAB, 11-2
2/21/2009 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2009
Baton Rouge, La. – University of Northern Iowa junior Megan Machovec extended her hitting streak to eight games and went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI along with scoring two runs as the Panthers (8-3) cruised to an 11-2 five inning victory over the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2-5). The Panthers pounded out 13 hits and took advantage of four Blazers' errors on the second day of the Easton Purple and Gold Challenge.
Machovec extended her hitting streak after a leadoff single to start the game, and she is an astonishing 8-for-11 in her first at-bats of games this season. The Panthers were unable to put a run on the board in the first inning for the first time in their last five outings.
The Panthers blew the game open in the second inning after scoring five runs on five hits and holding the Blazers scoreless for two innings. Senior's Morgan Paulson and Crystal Keiper led off the inning with singles, and freshman Hannah Borschel walked to load the bases.
Paulson was gunned down at home following senior Kelly Papesh's fielder's choice and freshman Allison Galvin struck out as it appeared the Trail Blazers were going to get out of jam surrendering no runs.
However, the Panthers staged a two-out rally sphere headed by Machovec's second hit of the game as she drove in the first two Panther runs of the game.
Freshman Jen Larsen followed with a two-RBI single through the left side of the field to give the Panthers a 5-0 lead. Larsen finished the game 2-for-4 and has a team-leading 15 RBI.
UAB went to the bullpen in the bottom of the third inning to bring in Sara Sweptson after Amber Torres (1-1) gave up six hits and five runs in two innings work.
The pitching change did not slow the Panther bats down as they scored another run in the third inning. Paulson led off the inning with a walk, and pinch runner Samantha Waters stole second and advanced to third after senior Brittney Balduf's single through the right side. Waters eventually scored following a throwing error.
The Panthers put two more runs on the scoreboard in the fourth inning after Balduf and freshman Leah Embrey each had RBI singles as the Panther went to the top of the fifth inning with an 8-2 lead.
Freshman Jaye Hutcheson (Marion, Iowa/Linn Mar) saw her first action in the pitching circle for the Panthers in the fifth inning after redshirt freshman Melissa Tillett pitched four innings of one-hit softball and struck out three batters. Tillett improves to 2-2 on the year in the pitcher's circle.
The Blazers punched in their first two runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth after a two RBI single by Andrea Rogers. Hutcheson allowed one hit and two earned runs in her first half inning pitched as a Panther.
The Panthers added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to run-rule the Trail Blazers, 11-2. Junior Rachel Gerking ended the game with a two RBI double and has a hit in 10 of the 11 games played this season.
Notes:
The Panthers are 3-0 following a loss this season.
Junior Megan Machovec is on an eight-game hitting streak.
Junior Rachel Gerking has a hit in 10 of 11 games this season.
Redshirt freshman pitcher Melissa Tillett has won her last two games in the pitcher's circle.
Six different Panthers had a RBI in the game.
This was the first ever meeting between UAB and UNI.
