University of Northern Iowa
Creighton
Bluejays Blank Panthers 3-0
4/22/2011 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 22, 2011
After a 2-1 win in nine innings over the Bradley Braves on Wednesday, the Panthers returned home Friday afternoon for a schedule double-header against the Creighton Bluejays. Northern Iowa entered play at 24-21 overall with an 8-8 mark in MVC play. Creighton came in with an 18-23 mark, including a 6-8 in conference play.
CREIGHTON 3 NORTHERN IOWA 0
Northern Iowa threatened to put a run on the board in the bottom of the second. Whitney Plein singled to left to start the inning and advanced to third on Leah Embrey's single. Embrey advanced to second on the throw, to make it second and third for UNI with no outs. The Panthers were unable to score a run, as Becca Changstrom was able to wiggle off the hook without allowing any damage.
The Bluejays scored first in the top of the third inning, thanks to a MaKenzie Michael single that scored Ellen Homan. Creighton loaded the bases again, but Jamie Fisher managed to escape further trouble.
Creighton added to its' lead in the top half of the fifth inning. MaKenzie Michael advanced to third on a Jennifer Bohle infield single, and came around to score on an errant throw.
The Bluejays made the score 3-0 in their half of the seventh inning with another single tally. Emily Perry came home to score on a Panther error.
Becca Changstrom pitched a complete game shutout for Creighton to earn the win. Jamie Fisher took the loss for the Panthers, despite allowing only two earned runs and striking out six.
Rachel Gerking led the Panther attack with two hits; including a double. Northern Iowa left 11 runners on base. The loss drops the Panthers to 24-22 on the season heading into tomorrow's play.
The second game of the day was postponed due to poor weather conditions. It will be made up as part of a double-header tomorrow afternoon, beginning at 12 p.m.
