University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Iowa
Panthers Hold Off Late Push to Defeat Iowa, 9-8
4/30/2014 1:00:00 AM | Softball
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa softball team picked up a 9-8 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Bob Pearl Field.
UNI (26-18 overall, 12-11 MVC) escaped a late comeback attempt from the Hawkeyes (15-27-1 overall, 8-12 Big Ten) after an eight-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.
The bats came alive early in the contest for UNI generating a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Caitlin Wnek sparked the offense with a one-out single to right field. A defensive error by Iowa allowed Gina Brown to reach safely. Rikki Alcaraz then loaded the bases with a single to right field. Chelsea Ross highlighted the inning by clearing the bases with a grand slam over the left field wall, her ninth homer on the season.
Nicole Fisher kept the offense going in the second inning connecting for her sixth home run this season extending the lead to 5-0.
Scoreless in the third and fourth innings the bats returned in the fifth. A pair of singles from Alcaraz and Micalla Rettinger put runners at the corners. Kristin Lock picked up an RBI after sending a deep sacrifice fly ball to center field which allowed Alcaraz to score from third.
The 6-0 lead was propelled in the top of the sixth inning with a trio of runs. Wnek, Alcaraz and Brown tallied three consecutive hits to ignite the inning. Ross also picked up an RBI before the Hawkeye defense collected the third out.
A 9-0 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth frame proved to be just enough cushion for UNI pitchers Jamie Fisher and Chelsea Ross. An eight-run rally on seven hits and one error nearly completed the comeback for the Hawkeyes. The rally came up short as the Panther defense held strong late in the game.
Jamie Fisher started the game and picked up her 16th win on the season. Fisher (16-12) tossed five innings where she allowed three earned runs on six hits. Ross entered the game midway through the sixth inning. Ross wrapped up the game going two complete innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits.
The replay of the game will be aired on Big Ten Network Fri., May 2, at 9 a.m. (CT).
The Panthers will take the field again this weekend squaring off in the three-game series with the Loyola Ramblers. The Panthers will take the field on Saturday in doubleheader competition at Noon and 2 p.m. Sunday will mark the Panthers final home game of the season wrapping up the series with Loyola at Noon. Sunday will also serve as Senior Day where the 2014 Panther seniors will be recognized following the game.
