University of Northern Iowa
Bradley
Panthers Split Doubleheader at Bradley
4/26/2014 1:00:00 AM | Softball
PEORIA, Ill. – The University of Northern Iowa softball team split a pair of games this afternoon against the Bradley University Braves.
UNI (25-17 overall, 12-10 MVC) struggled offensively in game one but held on to an early lead picking up a 2-1 victory over the Braves (22-27 overall, 13-10 MVC). A solid pitching performance from right-hander Chelsea Ross kept game two close, but the Panthers finished on the wrong side of a 1-0 decision.
The Panthers displayed plenty of offensive firepower in game one but struggled to move base runners throughout the contest. UNI went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine stranded on base, but in the top of the first inning it plated the two runs that mattered most.
With two outs in the top of the frame, Gina Brown got the offense going by working the count to draw a walk. Rikki Alcaraz followed up with a two-run homer over the left field wall that gave UNI an early 2-0 favor over the Braves.
With no outs in the bottom of the second inning, the Braves fought back collecting back-to-back hits and a pair of walks to load the bases and climb within a run of the Panthers, 2-1. A hard-hit lineout to Alcaraz at third allowed for a diving tag of Bradley's Shannon King to complete the double play. A fielder's choice hit to shortstop Caitlin Wnek put a halt to the Braves's second inning rally.
UNI struggled to collect hits through most of the game off Bradley's Made Lynch-Crumrine. The Panthers tallied just four hits throughout the contest. UNI threatened late in the game by loading the bases in the fourth and fifth innings but came up short leaving runners stranded in both frames.
Jamie Fisher started the game and picked up her 15th win on the season. Fisher (15-11) went the distance tossing seven innings where she allowed one run on seven hits. Fisher tallied seven strikeouts.
Game two had a similar feel as the Panther offense was slow to find a rhythm at the plate collecting four hits throughout the contest.
Brown again got the bats going early in the first inning with a single up the middle. Brown stole second later in the inning but was left stranded.
Alyssa Buchanan and Alcaraz each tallied base hits in the third and fourth innings, both were left on base.
The Braves took the first lead of the game plating a run in the bottom of the fourth inning off of a sacrifice fly ball to leftfield to take a 1-0 advantage.
Julia Hunter marked the Panthers final hit in the contest with a one-out double to left centerfield.
Chelsea Ross started the game and was charged with the loss. Ross (10-6) went the distance tossing six innings where she allowed one run on six hits.
The Panthers will take the field again tomorrow at 11 a.m. for game three against the Braves. Live stats will be available at: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=46272
