Panthers Win Two on Final of Rock Chalk Challenge

Saturday, March 13

Lawrence, KS

11 am

University of Northern Iowa

8-10

South Dakota State University

13-4

Northern Iowa

South Dakota State

Panthers Win Two on Final of Rock Chalk Challenge

3/13/2021 6:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2 Photo Gallery 3

Lawrence, Kansas - UNI Softball finished 2-0 on the Final Day of the Rock Chalk Challenge, defeating South Dakota State 4-1, and Kansas 3-0.

Game 1 - UNI vs. South Dakota State | W, 4-1
At the plate the Panthers were led by Sammey Bunch. Bunch went 3-for-4 with one double and scored one run. UNI also found a spark offensively from Madison Parks and Hannah Kelley. Parks ended the game going 2-for-3 and scoring two runs. Kelley went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI. The Panthers recorded eleven hits total as a team.

Hailey Sanders started to the game going 1.2 innings giving up two hits, one unearned run, struck out two, and walked one. Erica Oler came in to relieve in the 2^nd inning and would finish the game as well as pick up her first win of the year. Oler went 5.1 innings giving up four hits, no runs, striking out one and walking none.

UNI found themselves down early in the first inning before tying the game at 1-1 in the top of the 3^rd. That's all the Panthers needed as they held the Jackrabbits scoreless for the remainder of the game as they would push two runners across again in the 5^th and one in the 6^th ending the game 4-1. The Panthers recorded four runs, on eleven hits and gave up one error.

Game 2 - UNI vs Kansas | W, 3-0
Offensively, the Freshman combo of Emmy Wells and Brooke Snider led the way for the Panthers. Both went 2-for-3. Wells also tallied one RBI and walked once. Snider also walked once and stole a base as well.

Sophomore Kayiln Packard (6-3) went all seven innings for UNI. The Panther ace picked up her 6^th win of the season while giving up four hits, zero runs, striking out seven and walking three.

The Panthers got on the scoreboard first, in the 3^rd inning from two back-to-back walks by Madison Parks and Sammey Bunch. Both would advance on a wild pitch with Hannah Kelley up to the plate and Kelley did the rest, hitting a hard ground ball to the second baseman scoring Parks from 3^rd. The Panthers never looked back as they pushed one run across in the 4^th and another run in the 7^th. UNI finished with three runs, on a combined six hits, and one left on base.

UP NEXT
The Panthers are back in action on Saturday, Mar. 20 – Mar. 21 as they begin conference play against Missouri State in a three game MVC showdown. Games 1 & 2 will be played on Mar. 20 with start times being held at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm CT. Game 3 will be played on Mar. 21 at 11:00 am.