UNI softball returns to Tennessee for matchup with Lipscomb

Wednesday, March 2

Nashville, TN

2 PM

University of Northern Iowa

Lipscomb University

UNI softball returns to Tennessee for matchup with Lipscomb

3/1/2022 1:15:00 PM | Softball

UNI Game Notes Watch Live Stats

UNI vs. Lipscomb

2 p.m. | March 2
Nashville, Tenn. | Draper Diamond at Smith Stadium (500)
YouTube : (Jonathan Seamon, Play-by-Play)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The UNI softball team will hope to play its first midweek game of the season on Wednesday.

After poor field conditions canceled the Panthers first scheduled midweek game in Cookeville, UNI looks to play its first official Wednesday game tomorrow against the Lipscomb Bison. This is the second year in a row that the Panthers have played a non-conference game against Lipscomb. Last year when UNI stopped in Nashville they split a two-game series with the Bison, winning the final game 3-1.

THE PANTHERS:
- The Panthers have had a rocky start to the 2022 season with two rain out games and close losses at the Niner Invitational over the weekend. UNI looks ahead to this week where they have a midweek contest against Lipscomb followed by a tournament in Tennessee hosted by Austin Peay.
- Redshirt sophomore Madison Parks has shown a strong eye early in the season as she sits in the top 10 in the nation in Walks per Game. Parks has an average of 1.00 walk through nine games this season which leads the MVC and is seventh among all Division I softball athletes.
- After two tournament slates leading the Panthers in offense is redshirt sophomore Taylor Hogan with a batting average of .280 in 25 at bats. Hogan also accounts for one of only two triples this season for UNI with the other triple by freshman Mya Dodge. Dodge is right behind Hogan on offense with a .276 batting average.
- The Panthers are finding their pitching lineup through the early part of the season, using three different starters in Kailyn Packard, Hailey Sanders, and Kaylyn Jones. Jones earned her first collegiate start on Saturday afternoon in UNI's 3-4 loss against the Charlotte 49ers. The Panthers have used two main relievers at the circle in Samantha Heyer and Erica Oler with Heyer leading UNI and the MVC in ERA at 1.35.

THE BISON:
- Wednesday's game will be the first at home for Lipscomb after spending the past two weeks on the road. The Bison are currently 4-9 after dropping three straight games in the Mardi Gras Mambo to Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana, and No. 15 Louisiana.
- The offensive leader for the Bison is returning 2021 ASUN All-Conference selection Amy Vetula. The senior infielder is currently batting .441 in 34 at bats while ranking third in the conference and 101 in the nation. Vetula has 12 runs, 15 hits, and two RBI's to start the season.
- Lipscomb has a young pitching staff from four pitchers taking the bulk of the action so far. Starting in the circle for the Bison is either redshirt freshman Laine Barefoot or freshman Makayla Veneziale. Barefoot leads the team in ERA at 2.33 with 27 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts. For relievers Lipscomb has two with freshman Kate Peters or junior Emily Yakubowski.