University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Missouri State
Panthers Fall in Opening Round at MVC Tournament
5/8/2014 1:00:00 AM | Softball
NORMAL, Ill. – The University of Northern Iowa softball team came up short against the No. 8-seeded Missouri State Bears this afternoon in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Softball Tournament, 4-3.
UNI (28-20 overall, 14-13 MVC) plated three runs on seven hits throughout the contest but fell to the Bears (28-26 overall, 11-16 MVC) in seven innings, 4-3.
A slow start at the plate left the Panthers hitless through the first three innings. Trailing 4-0, Gina Brown sparked the offense in the bottom of the fourth with a one-out single. The hits were contagious with the Panthers stringing together four more in the frame. Chelsea Ross, Micalla Rettinger, Kristin Lock and Nicole Fisher each took part in the hitting spree which narrowed the deficit to 4-3.
Chelsea Ross took over the pitching responsibilities in the top of the third inning following a pitching change. The right-handed sophomore from Kansas City was nearly flawless surrendering just one hit and striking out five opponents through 4.2 innings of work.
The Panthers threatened once more in the bottom of the seventh with runners at first and second but were unable to complete the comeback.
Jamie Fisher started the game and was charged with the loss. Fisher caps her senior season with a 17-14 mark and will go down as the winningest pitcher in Panther softball history (79-44).
NOTE: Chelsea Ross was named to the 2014 MVC All-Tournament Team.
