University of Northern Iowa
Bradley
Panthers Come Up Short Against Bradley, 5-2
4/27/2014 1:00:00 AM | Softball
PEORIA, Ill. – The University of Northern Iowa softball team fell short against the Bradley Braves this afternoon in a 5-2 decision.
UNI (25-18 overall, 12-11 MVC) plated two runs on two hits but was unable to contain the Bradley (23-27 overall, 14-10 MVC) offense.
The Panthers got off to a bumpy start facing a 5-0 deficit but answered back in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs. Kristin Lock got the bats going with a single down the left field line. A sacrifice bunt from Samantha Olson bumped Lock into scoring position at second base. Nicole Fisher worked the count to draw a walk putting runners at first and second. An RBI single from Julia Hunter allowed Lock to score narrowing the gap to 5-1. Hunter advanced to third on a fielder's choice and stole home to pull the Panthers to within three, 5-2.
Jamie Fisher took the circle to start the game but was pulled after one inning of work where she allowed five runs on five hits. Chelsea Ross entered the game in the second inning where she took over with bases loaded and no outs. Ross finished the game tossing five scoreless innings where she limited the Braves to three hits.
A 49-minute rain delay paused the game before the Panthers made their final push at a comeback in the top of the seventh. Micalla Rettinger and Alyssa Buchanan had back-to-back hits to put runners at the corners with the tying run at the plate but the final result favored the Braves.
Fisher was charged with the loss and fell to 15-12 on the season.
The Panthers will take the field again on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in Iowa City squaring off with the intrastate rival Iowa Hawkeyes.
