University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Softball 2019 Season Preview
1/25/2019 1:53:00 PM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The 2019 UNI softball schedule is set, as the Panthers look to compete for the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference.
UNI projects strong contributions from returning players Sammey Bunch and Brooke Craig. Bunch, a first-team All-MVC selection at shortstop last season as a sophomore, led the Panthers in multiple offensive categories while starting in all 52 games. Craig, a senior pitcher from Waterloo, emerged as the workhorse of the Panthers' pitching staff in 2018 as she set career and team-highs in games (32), wins (14), innings pitched (155), and strikeouts (74).
The Panthers also expect to receive quality depth from the seven freshmen joining the team in 2019. "The freshman class has been doing a fantastic job of working to make an impact on our team," said head coach Ryan Jacobs.
The Panthers are coming off a season that saw them finish with less than 27 wins for just the second time since 2010.
"The team has focused hard in the offseason on creating a more physical presence on the field," said Jacobs. "Our expectations are to compete every day and be at our strongest come the MVC Tournament in May."
UNI will play a total of 52 games in 2019, with 19 of those games being played at home. The first five home games of the season will be played in the UNI-Dome, as part of the UNI-Dome Classic. Opening day is set for Feb. 8 as the Panthers take on Southeast Missouri State and Toledo.
Following the UNI-Dome Classic, the Panthers head south to sunny Florida to take part in the Jacksonville Tournament (Feb. 15-17). UNI also will travel to Oklahoma to take part in the Oklahoma State/Tulsa Invitational (March 1-3), before heading to Murray, Kentucky to participate in the Murray State Tournament (March 8-10).
Following the Murray State Tournament, UNI will open up Missouri Valley Conference play with road series against Indiana State and Missouri State. The Panthers will then travel to Madison, Wisconsin to square off with the Badgers for a non-conference doubleheader on March 26. UNI closes out the month of March with a home series against MVC-foe Evansville.
During the month of April, the Panthers will play Valparaiso (April 13-14), Bradley (April 19-20), Drake (April 23), and Southern Illinois (April 27-28) at home. UNI's road matchups consist of Illinois State (April 6-7), Drake (April 9), and Iowa State (April 16).
The 2019 regular season wraps up with a three-game series against Loyola University Chicago, in Chicago. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the MVC Tournament is set to begin on May 8 in Peoria, Illinois.
FULL SCHEDULE –
For more information on future Panther softball games, and to see their entire 2018 schedule, visit: https://bit.ly/2CsDKYP
TICKETS –
Entrance for all UNI softball home games this season will be free.
SOCIAL MEDIA –
For the latest information on Panther Softball, follow @UNISoftball on Twitter, unisoftball on Instagram and @UNIPantherSoftball on Facebook.
UNI projects strong contributions from returning players Sammey Bunch and Brooke Craig. Bunch, a first-team All-MVC selection at shortstop last season as a sophomore, led the Panthers in multiple offensive categories while starting in all 52 games. Craig, a senior pitcher from Waterloo, emerged as the workhorse of the Panthers' pitching staff in 2018 as she set career and team-highs in games (32), wins (14), innings pitched (155), and strikeouts (74).
The Panthers also expect to receive quality depth from the seven freshmen joining the team in 2019. "The freshman class has been doing a fantastic job of working to make an impact on our team," said head coach Ryan Jacobs.
The Panthers are coming off a season that saw them finish with less than 27 wins for just the second time since 2010.
"The team has focused hard in the offseason on creating a more physical presence on the field," said Jacobs. "Our expectations are to compete every day and be at our strongest come the MVC Tournament in May."
UNI will play a total of 52 games in 2019, with 19 of those games being played at home. The first five home games of the season will be played in the UNI-Dome, as part of the UNI-Dome Classic. Opening day is set for Feb. 8 as the Panthers take on Southeast Missouri State and Toledo.
Following the UNI-Dome Classic, the Panthers head south to sunny Florida to take part in the Jacksonville Tournament (Feb. 15-17). UNI also will travel to Oklahoma to take part in the Oklahoma State/Tulsa Invitational (March 1-3), before heading to Murray, Kentucky to participate in the Murray State Tournament (March 8-10).
Following the Murray State Tournament, UNI will open up Missouri Valley Conference play with road series against Indiana State and Missouri State. The Panthers will then travel to Madison, Wisconsin to square off with the Badgers for a non-conference doubleheader on March 26. UNI closes out the month of March with a home series against MVC-foe Evansville.
During the month of April, the Panthers will play Valparaiso (April 13-14), Bradley (April 19-20), Drake (April 23), and Southern Illinois (April 27-28) at home. UNI's road matchups consist of Illinois State (April 6-7), Drake (April 9), and Iowa State (April 16).
The 2019 regular season wraps up with a three-game series against Loyola University Chicago, in Chicago. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the MVC Tournament is set to begin on May 8 in Peoria, Illinois.
FULL SCHEDULE –
For more information on future Panther softball games, and to see their entire 2018 schedule, visit: https://bit.ly/2CsDKYP
TICKETS –
Entrance for all UNI softball home games this season will be free.
SOCIAL MEDIA –
For the latest information on Panther Softball, follow @UNISoftball on Twitter, unisoftball on Instagram and @UNIPantherSoftball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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