UNI Softball Clips the Redbirds

Saturday, April 6

Normal, IL

12 P.M.

University of Northern Iowa

16-13, 6-2

Illinois State University

11-22, 5-1

UNI

Illinois State

UNI Softball Clips the Redbirds

4/6/2019 4:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 UNISB29 UNISB30

NORMAL, Illinois – UNI softball swept its doubleheader against the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday.

Northern Iowa at Illinois State | Final Score – W, 6-2

Emma Olejniczak went four innings in the start against Illinois State, striking out five and giving up two runs on four hits and a walk.

Erica Oler came on in relief of Olejniczak and gave the Panthers an inning and a third on the mound while walking two and allowing a base hit. After Oler issued a walk in the bottom of the sixth, Brooke Craig was called on to get the final five outs of the game for the Cats. Craig allowed no hits and one walk in an inning and a third of work.

The Panthers were staked to an early lead on a two-run home run from Adara Opiola in the top of the third inning. The long ball was the fourth of the season for Opiola, which extends her career-high for homers.

After the Redbirds tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, Ashley Chesser came up to lead off the sixth inning. Chesser lined a shot over the right-center field fence to put UNI back on top.

Sammey Bunch gave the Panthers some room to work with, after she lined a three-run shot over the center field wall and pushed the UNI lead to four runs in the top of the seventh. The homer was the 11th of the season for Bunch.

Northern Iowa at Illinois State | Final Score – W, 5-0

Jaclyn Spencer went all seven innings for the Panthers as the lefty picked up her third consecutive pitching victory against a conference opponent. Spencer did not allow a run to score, and struck out three batters while allowing five hits and walking two.

The Panthers first run of the game came in the second inning on a fielder's choice error by an Illinois State infielder.

For the second game of the doubleheader, the long ball continued to be utilized by the Panthers. UNI kicked off the scoring in the third inning with a two-run shot to left field by Bunch before Courtney Krodinger followed with a two-run shot to left center.

The Panthers would be held scoreless through the rest of the game.

UP NEXT –

The Panthers will finish the series against Illinois State on Sunday before traveling to Des Moines, Iowa for a road doubleheader with the Drake Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 9. The team returns home for a three-game series with the Valparaiso Crusaders on April 13-14.

SOCIAL MEDIA –

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