University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
UAB
Gerking's Extra Innings Home Run Leads Panthers to 5-4 Win Over UAB
2/22/2009 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 22, 2009
Baton Rouge, La. - Junior Rachel Gerking's home run in the top of the 11th inning propelled the Panthers to a 5-4 win and a third place finish in the Easton Purple and Gold Challenge after beating the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Panthers improve to 10-4 on the season and finished the weekend tournament with a 3-2 record, while UAB falls to 2-8 on the year.
After being shutout in their first game this morning the Panthers quickly got on the scoreboard in their consolation contest against the Blazers. Junior Megan Machovec doubled to lead off the game and advanced to third on a fielding error. Machovec then reached home due to wild pitch to give the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.
The Blazers responded in their half of the inning with a run after Andrea Rogers' RBI single to center field scored Martina Landrum to knot the score at 1-1.
The Panthers added three more runs in the top of the second inning to jump ahead 4-1 over the Blazers. Freshman Kelly Papesh and senior Morgan Paulson drove in two more runs for the Panthers after she singled down the right field line. Daigh finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate and walked three times.
The Blazers tacked on their second run of the game in the bottom of the fifth after Rogers' second RBI of the game to trim the Panther lead to 4-2.
The Blazers rallied to score two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh to force the Panthers into their second extra innings contest of the tournament.
A fielding error by the Panthers allowed Landrum to reach base to start the bottom of the seventh inning. Cameron Skates' single moved runners to first and second with no outs and both runners advanced to second and third after a sacrifice bunt.
Amanda Allen's single scored Landrum and Laura Callaway's sacrifice fly allowed Skates to score and knot up the score at 4-4.
Both teams failed to move a runner anywhere near scoring position in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings as hits became hard to come by in the extra innings. The Panthers reeled off three hits in the extra frames compared to UAB's one hit.
Finally, in the top of the 11th inning, Gerking's home run over the right field fence lifted the Panthers in front for good.
Redshirt freshman Sarah Bakey (2-0) picked up the win after pitching the final 3 1/3 innings. Bakey allowed one hit, struck out one batter and walked two.
Lindsey Croft (1-7) took the loss for the Blazers after pitching all 11 innings. Croft allowed nine hits, struck out eight batters and walked 11 batters.
The Panthers will take next weekend off before heading to the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence, Kan., March 7-8.
Notes:
Junior Jen Larsen (utility) and freshman Mackenzie Daigh (infield) were both named to the Easton Purple and Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team.
Megan Machovec is 10-for-14 in her first at-bats of games as a leadoff hitter.
Jen Larsen for the team lead in home runs this season.
The Panthers are 2-1 in extra inning games this season.
The last time the Panthers played a game that went 11 or more innings came in 2001 against Missouri State when the Panthers won 5-3 in 12 innings.
Easton Purple and Gold Challenge All-Tournament Team
P - Brittany Mack (LSU)
IF - Jessica Mouse (LSU)
IF - Andrea Rogers (UAB)
IF - Ryan Kos (Texas State)
IF - Mackenzie Digh (Northern Iowa)
OF - Ashley Applegate (LSU)
OF - Kirsten Shortridge (LSU)
OF - Tamra Hall (Texas State)
UTL - Jen Larsen (Northern Iowa)
MVP - Brittany Mack (LSU)
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