University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Jacksonville State
Panthers Open Up Woo Pig Classic
3/1/2013 1:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Northern Iowa softball team opened up the Woo Pig Classic with a pair of games against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the tournament host Arkansas Razorbacks.
Jacksonville State scored a 10-1 win over the Panthers to open tourney play. Arkansas then scored an 8-0 win over UNI (5-12 overall) in the nightcap of day one.
UNI was outmatched in game one this afternoon falling to the Gamecocks in a 10-1 decision after six innings of play. Freshman pitcher Abbie VanVleet took the circle looking to improve on her 1-2 season mark. VanVleet got off to a bumpy start in the top of the first allowing a pair of homers as the Gamecocks went on to score three runs in the inning.
The defensive struggles continued as JSU was able to plate three more runs in the second, and fourth innings to take a 9-0 advantage over UNI as they entered the fifth inning.
Mackenzie Flaws relieved Van Vleet in the fifth. Flaws tossed two full innings where she saw eight batters allowing three hits and one run.
On the offensive side of the UNI was slow to find a rhythm collecting just five hits against JSU. The Panthers lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning following Nicole Fisher's fourth home run on the season connecting for a shot over the right-centerfield wall. The Gamecocks went on to defeat the Panthers, 10-1.
In game two, the Panthers took on the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas. The Panthers came up short after five innings of play falling to the Razorbacks, 8-0
Jamie Fisher took the circle for UNI looking to add to her 2-7 record on the season. Fisher got off to a rocky start allowing runs in each of the first three innings handing the Razorbacks a 6-0 advantage. Fisher and the defense seemed unable to find a way to quiet the Razorback offensive attack throughout the game which eventually led to the 8-0 defeat. Fisher tossed 4 and 1/3 innings allowing seven hits, eight runs and allowed five walks verses her three strikeouts.
At the plate, UNI found difficulties collecting runs off of Razorback pitcher Chelsea Cohen. Finding just five hits throughout the duration of the game the Panthers were led at the plate by freshman Caitlin Wnek who went 2-for-3 at the plate with a single and a double. Kristin Lock singled to the second basemen in the top of the fifth inning collecting the final offensive spark the Panthers had on the night.
With the loss UNI falls to a 5-12 season mark with three games left to play in the tournament.
UNI will take the field again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. facing off with Wright State University with a seeded game to follow in the afternoon.
