Panther Softball Downs Salukis Twice

Saturday, April 8

Cedar Falls, Iowa

12 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

19-13, 0

Southern Illinois - Bark in the Park

19-17, 0

Southern Illinois

UNI

Panther Softball Downs Salukis Twice

4/8/2017 5:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa softball team continued its win streak after defeating the Southern Illinois Salukis on Saturday. UNI took both games of the doubleheader, winning game one, 4-0, and game two, 5-2.

UNI improves its overall record to 20-13 and its Missouri Valley Conference record to 8-3. Southern Illinois, who came into the three-game series in first place in the league standings, moves its record down to 19-18 and 7-4 for conference. UNI is in a four-way tie for first place in the league standings, while SIU is fifth in the MVC ledger.

The Panthers have won five straight games and are 9-1 in home games this season. UNI is a perfect 5-0 at Robinson-Dresser Field in MVC play.

GAME ONE
Starting pitcher Jaci Spencer improved her season record to 8-5 after tossing a three-hit shutout. Spencer also struck out nine.

First baseman Kennedy Bailey was the star of the game. Bailey came into the bottom of the second with Sammey Bunch already on first. A double into right field from Bailey brought in Bunch to give UNI the first run of the game. In the bottom of the third, Bailey stepped up to the plate with Anna Varriano on second and Bunch on first. Another double from Bailey brought both Panthers in to increase UNI's lead to 3-0. Bailey had a total of three RBI in game one.

Spencer would seal the deal with a solo home run to center field and a 4-0 Panther victory.

GAME TWO
For game two, the starting pitcher for UNI was Alyssa Buchanan. She currently leads the Panthers with an 8-1 record and a 1.94 ERA. Buchanan held the Salukis in check until the fifth.

The Panthers took an early lead against the Salukis, after scoring three runs in the bottom of the second. Varriano, Bunch, and Alyssa Buchanan all scored to give UNI a three-run advantage.

In the top of the fifth, Southern Illinois was able to bring in Kyleigh Decker to get on the scoreboard.

UNI's home run leader, Varriano, once again showed up for the Panthers in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Bunch was walked by the Salukis pitcher, Varriano hit a deep drive into center field to bring both Panthers home and extend UNI's lead to 5-1.

The Salukis would score one more time in the top of the seventh after Susie Baraknski came to the plate and hit a home run to center. SIU would bring the tying run to the plate with two outs, but the Panthers got the final out on an infield grounder to secure the 5-2 win and the two-game sweep.

The Panthers and the Salukis will wrap up the weekend with the final game of the three-game series on Sunday at 11 a.m.