Panther softball splits final day of the MTSU Invitational

Friday, March 11

Murfreesboro, TN

9 AM

University of Northern Iowa

8-9

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

10-12

Chattanooga

UNI

Panther softball splits final day of the MTSU Invitational

3/11/2022 11:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- UNI softball finished the MTSU Invitational hosted by Middle Tennessee at a .500 record after going 1-1 on the final day of the tournament.

The Panthers began the day with a dominant win over Chattanooga, ending the game two innings early on the NCAA's run rule. But with almost six hours in between the two games, UNI struggled to find runs in the finale of the tournament with Illinois State.

UNI vs. Chattanooga | W, 11-1

The early morning start was no problem for the Panthers as they put up four runs in the bottom of the first inning alone. UNI loaded the bases early after a leadoff ground out from Mya Dodge. Shortstop Kylee Sanders would take advantage of the full bases, hitting a single to center field to bring home right fielder Sammy Moss. Catcher Emmy Wells would follow up the run with a double to center field to bring home two more runners. The Panthers tacked on their fourth run of the inning as Taylor Hogan singled to right-center to bring home Wells.

UNI would then add another run in the bottom of the second after the Mocs went 0-3 to start the inning. Moss would hit a sacrifice fly with two runners at the corners, getting pinch runner Maggie Erpelding home for run five. The Panthers would have another multi-run inning in the bottom of the third as third baseman Addison McElrath hit a sacrifice ground out to bring in Kylee Sanders. In the next at-bat, first baseman DarynLamprecht singled, sending pinch-runner Hannah Isley home.

Chattanooga would add their one run of the game in the top of the fourth as their leadoff batter hit a home run to left field. UNI would reach the run-rule designation of leading by eight in the bottom of the fourth as Wells hit a three-run homer to center field for a 10-1 lead. Lamprecht would add the final run for the Panthers as she brought Taylor Hogan home on a fielding error.

UNI used their two main pitchers in the first game of the day as starter Kailyn Packard pitched 3.1 innings for two hits, one run, and three strikeouts. Samantha Heyer would finish out the game for 1.2 innings, allowing no hits or runs and adding four strikeouts. Four Panthers had a multi-hit game as Dodge, Parks, Wells, and Hogan all had two hits. Moss, Shaffer, Sanders, and Lamprecht would all have one hit on the game.

UNI vs. Illinois State | L, 3-8

The Panthers would go back and forth with the Redbirds in a non-conference contest through the first four innings of the game. Despite Illinois State striking first, UNI would tie the game up two times with runs from Mya Dodge and Maggie Erpelding.

The Redbirds would get their first run on a solo homer in the top of the first. The Panthers would answer right back as Kamryn Shaffer hit a double to right-center to get Dodge to home plate. Illinois State would go back on top in the third with an RBI single. But in the bottom of the fourth, third baseman Brooke Snider would single with runners at the corners, allowing enough time for Erpelding to run home.

UNI would have one more run in them for the afternoon as Emmy Wells hit her second home run of the day to left field to cut the lead back down to one in the sixth. Despite four different runners reaching base in the half-inning, the Panthers wouldn't be able to bring anyone home. The Redbirds would seal their win with a four-run seventh inning to grab the 8-3 victory.

Starting pitcher Hailey Sanders would be credited with the loss, pitching 4.1 innings for three runs, seven hits, three errors, and three strikeouts. Erica Oler and Kaylyn Jones would also make appearances in the circle for the Panthers to close out the game. UNI's five hits were spread out among five different players (Dodge, Shaffer, Wells, Hogan, Snider) while three others (Shaffer, Wells, Snider) added RBIs.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers get the weekend off before beginning conference play next week against the Southern Illinois Salukis. UNI will travel to Carbondale for a three-game series with the Salukis including a Saturday doubleheader and a single game on Sunday. First pitch for game one on March 19 is set for noon.