University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Saturday, April 14
Cedar Falls, Iowa
2 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Loyola
UNI Hosts Loyola in the UNI-Dome
4/13/2018 1:39:00 PM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Panthers (20-16, 5-5) continue their homestand against conference foe Loyola (17-17, 3-7) this weekend.
The games have been moved to the UNI-Dome, and first pitch for Friday's game is set for 2:00 p.m. Sunday's first pitch time is still 11:00 a.m.
PANTHERS HEADLINES –
The Panthers (20-16, 5-5) face off against the Loyola Ramblers (17-17, 3-7) in the UNI-Dome as UNI continues to play indoors. It is the third time this season that the Panthers have played in the UNI-Dome. The Panthers opened up their season in the UNI-Dome Classic and played Iowa State in a non-conference game on Thursday.
Northern Iowa has a 15-3 all-time record against Loyola. The Panthers' last victory against the Ramblers in 2017, in a 7-6 extra-inning affair in Chicago.
UNI is 14-1 all-time against Loyola while playing in Cedar Falls. Under head coach Ryan Jacobs, the Panthers are 8-3 against the Ramblers.
The Panthers look to build on the recent conference success, as they have gone 4-1 in their last five games against MVC foes.
Second baseman Claire Dudek is coming off a career performance against the Iowa State Cyclones. Dudek went 2-3 in the game, while walking once and hitting a three-run inside the park home run. The home run was the first of Dudek's career, while the three-RBI game was a career-high for the Panthers' infielder.
The NCAA released the first RPI rankings of the season on March 20. UNI was ranked No. 92 on April 8, and the Panthers are the 4th highest RPI ranked team in the Missouri Valley.
Brittney Roby continues to be the energizer for the UNI offense out of the leadoff spot. Roby leads the Panthers in batting avg. (.408), at-bats (125), runs (26), hits (51) and stolen bases (10). Roby also leads the MVC in batting average and hits, and is top-three in runs scored. Roby was named Second-Team all-MVC as a first-year transfer in 2017. The senior outfielder has also been named MVC Player of the Week once this season.
Sammey Bunch, the reigning MVC Freshman of the Year, has overcome the sophomore slump in 2018. The UNI shortstop leads the team in extra-base hits (13), home runs (4), RBI (26) and slugging percentage (.524). Bunch is one of two Panthers this season to be named MVC Player of the Week.
Head coach Ryan Jacobs has the Panthers playing well in tight games this season. Northern Iowa is 5-1 in games decided by one run, with the last one-run victory coming against Missouri State on March 31. The Panthers were able to outlast the Bears in a 2-1 winning effort.
Brooke Craig has already set career-highs across the board in her third season of pitching at UNI. Craig leads the Panthers in wins (10), innings (93.0), and is second in strikeouts (53). The right-hander's wins, strikeouts, and inning totals are higher than her first two seasons combined.
HOW TO WATCH –
Saturday's first game of the doubleheader and Sunday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with links provided via social media as well as the UNI athletics website. There is a subscription fee to use ESPN+ ($4.99/monthly, $49.99 annually).
Watch - Saturday (Game 1 of the series)
Watch - Sunday (Game 3 of the series)
LIVE STATS –
Live stats will be made available via the UNI athletics website (www.UNIPanthers.com). Fans and media can visit @UNISoftball on Twitter for links to the feed.
FUTURE PANTHER GAMES -
For more information on future Panther softball games, and to see their entire 2018 schedule, visit: http://bit.ly/2E0QlW5.
TICKETS –
Admittance for all UNI Softball home games will be free this season.
SOCIAL MEDIA -
For the latest information on Panther Softball, follow @UNISoftball on Twitter, unisoftball on Instagram and @UNIPantherSoftball on Facebook.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE –
Sat., April 14
2:00 p.m. CTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UNI vs. Loyola (DH)
Â
Sun., April 15
11:00 a.m. CTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UNI vs. Loyola
Â
The games have been moved to the UNI-Dome, and first pitch for Friday's game is set for 2:00 p.m. Sunday's first pitch time is still 11:00 a.m.
PANTHERS HEADLINES –
The Panthers (20-16, 5-5) face off against the Loyola Ramblers (17-17, 3-7) in the UNI-Dome as UNI continues to play indoors. It is the third time this season that the Panthers have played in the UNI-Dome. The Panthers opened up their season in the UNI-Dome Classic and played Iowa State in a non-conference game on Thursday.
Northern Iowa has a 15-3 all-time record against Loyola. The Panthers' last victory against the Ramblers in 2017, in a 7-6 extra-inning affair in Chicago.
UNI is 14-1 all-time against Loyola while playing in Cedar Falls. Under head coach Ryan Jacobs, the Panthers are 8-3 against the Ramblers.
The Panthers look to build on the recent conference success, as they have gone 4-1 in their last five games against MVC foes.
Second baseman Claire Dudek is coming off a career performance against the Iowa State Cyclones. Dudek went 2-3 in the game, while walking once and hitting a three-run inside the park home run. The home run was the first of Dudek's career, while the three-RBI game was a career-high for the Panthers' infielder.
The NCAA released the first RPI rankings of the season on March 20. UNI was ranked No. 92 on April 8, and the Panthers are the 4th highest RPI ranked team in the Missouri Valley.
Brittney Roby continues to be the energizer for the UNI offense out of the leadoff spot. Roby leads the Panthers in batting avg. (.408), at-bats (125), runs (26), hits (51) and stolen bases (10). Roby also leads the MVC in batting average and hits, and is top-three in runs scored. Roby was named Second-Team all-MVC as a first-year transfer in 2017. The senior outfielder has also been named MVC Player of the Week once this season.
Sammey Bunch, the reigning MVC Freshman of the Year, has overcome the sophomore slump in 2018. The UNI shortstop leads the team in extra-base hits (13), home runs (4), RBI (26) and slugging percentage (.524). Bunch is one of two Panthers this season to be named MVC Player of the Week.
Head coach Ryan Jacobs has the Panthers playing well in tight games this season. Northern Iowa is 5-1 in games decided by one run, with the last one-run victory coming against Missouri State on March 31. The Panthers were able to outlast the Bears in a 2-1 winning effort.
Brooke Craig has already set career-highs across the board in her third season of pitching at UNI. Craig leads the Panthers in wins (10), innings (93.0), and is second in strikeouts (53). The right-hander's wins, strikeouts, and inning totals are higher than her first two seasons combined.
HOW TO WATCH –
Saturday's first game of the doubleheader and Sunday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with links provided via social media as well as the UNI athletics website. There is a subscription fee to use ESPN+ ($4.99/monthly, $49.99 annually).
Watch - Saturday (Game 1 of the series)
Watch - Sunday (Game 3 of the series)
LIVE STATS –
Live stats will be made available via the UNI athletics website (www.UNIPanthers.com). Fans and media can visit @UNISoftball on Twitter for links to the feed.
FUTURE PANTHER GAMES -
For more information on future Panther softball games, and to see their entire 2018 schedule, visit: http://bit.ly/2E0QlW5.
TICKETS –
Admittance for all UNI Softball home games will be free this season.
SOCIAL MEDIA -
For the latest information on Panther Softball, follow @UNISoftball on Twitter, unisoftball on Instagram and @UNIPantherSoftball on Facebook.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE –
Sat., April 14
2:00 p.m. CTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UNI vs. Loyola (DH)
Â
Sun., April 15
11:00 a.m. CTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UNI vs. Loyola
Â
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