Panthers Defeat Redbirds

Sunday, May 2

Normal, IL

11 am

University of Northern Iowa

27-17, 17-7

Illinois State University

28-9, 14-5

UNI

Illinois State

Panthers Defeat Redbirds

5/2/2021 12:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

Normal, Illinois – The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 8-0 in five short innings on Sunday, May 2^nd. UNI now moves to 27-17 overall and 17-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

UNI 8, Illinois State 0
UNI scored eight runs on eight hits and committed zero errors.

The Panthers started off on the scoreboard first after Kamryn Shaffer hit a solo home run in the first inning to give UNI a 1-0 lead. Senior Sammey Bunch came up later in the inning to hit a SAC Fly to Right Field that would extend the lead to 2-0. The Panthers then came up big in the 5^th inning scoring six runs. The Redbirds would try to put something together to extend the game but came up short.

At the plate the Panthers were led by Adara Opiola and Kamryn Shaffer. Opiola went 2-for-3 with one RBI, scored one run, and was walked once. Opiola also drove in the game winning 8^th run in the top of the 5^th inning. Shaffer continued to stay dominant at the plate in the final game of the series as she went 2-for-2 with one home run, two RBI's, scored two runs, and was hit by pitch. Sammey Bunch also contributed going 1-for-3 with one double and two RBI's.

In the circle Kailyn Packard (18-5) picked up the win in five short innings whiling throwing a complete game. Packard threw five strong innings giving up no runs, on three hits, struck out four, walked none.

Up Next
The Panthers will be back in action May 8 – May 9 as host the Salukis of Southern Illinois for the final series of regular season play. UNI will play a double header Saturday with the first pitches set at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm while Saturday's game will start at 11:00 am.