University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Saturday, March 19
Carbondale, IL
1:30 PM
University of Northern Iowa
at
Southern Illinois University
Panther softball to begin MVC play at Southern Illinois
3/16/2022 1:28:00 PM | Softball
UNI vs. Southern Illinois
After a close to .500 nonconference season, Panther softball is prepared to start Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend. The Panthers first series will take place against Southern Illinois, the last team they played in the 2021 MVC season. Last season UNI swept the regular season series against the Salukis. But the Panthers lost to Southern Illinois in the championship game of the conference tournament. UNI looks to avenge their post season loss last year in their first series of the conference season.
THE PANTHERS:
-Â The Panthers closed out their non-conference season with an even split at the MTSU Invitational. UNI picked up wins against host Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga while dropping their first game to the Mocs and Illinois State in an early non-conference look.
- After a slow start to the season, the Panther offense is heating up with a 0.224 batting average. Over the week at the MTSU Invitational, UNI hit .320 with 7 doubles and 3 home runs in 100 at bats.
- The Panthers are finding success on the bases as they are second in the Missouri Valley in stolen bases per game. Averaging 1.38 stolen bags, UNI is nationally ranked at 66th.
- Redshirt sophomore Madison Parks has been a giving teammate through the non-conference season as she is first in the Valley for sacrifice flies. Parks averages 2 sacrifice fly bats per game which is best for 34th in the nation. Parks is also nationally ranked in walks per game.
THE SALUKIS:Â
- Southern Illinois will get a slightly earlier start to the conference season with a Wednesday double header against Missouri State. The Salukis finished the nonconference season with a 10-8 record that included wins over Mississippi State, Northern Illinois, and Ball State.
- The Salukis rank either first or second in the Valley in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while they lead the conference in batting average (.294) and on-base percentage (.402) and is second in slugging (.418).
- Southern Illinois longtime head coach Kerri Blaylock stepped away from head coaching duties earlier this season due to health reasons. Blaylock is still with the program in an administrative capacity while assistant coach Jen Sewell takes over head coaching duties on an interim basis.
- The Salukis are led by Jenny Jansen, who is just three RBI shy of breaking Shaye Harre's school record of 155 career RBI. Jansen has over 200 hits in her career and 30 home runs. Jansen also pitches for Southern Illinois, making her first career start last week against Southern Illinois Edwardsville. Jansen threw a complete game allowing four runs on 11 hits with four walks.Â
- 12 p.m./2 p.m. | March 19
- Carbondale, Ill. | Charlotte West Stadium (503)
- ESPN+
- 11 a.m. | March 20
- Carbondale, Ill. | Charlotte West Stadium (503)
- ESPN+
After a close to .500 nonconference season, Panther softball is prepared to start Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend. The Panthers first series will take place against Southern Illinois, the last team they played in the 2021 MVC season. Last season UNI swept the regular season series against the Salukis. But the Panthers lost to Southern Illinois in the championship game of the conference tournament. UNI looks to avenge their post season loss last year in their first series of the conference season.
THE PANTHERS:
-Â The Panthers closed out their non-conference season with an even split at the MTSU Invitational. UNI picked up wins against host Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga while dropping their first game to the Mocs and Illinois State in an early non-conference look.
- After a slow start to the season, the Panther offense is heating up with a 0.224 batting average. Over the week at the MTSU Invitational, UNI hit .320 with 7 doubles and 3 home runs in 100 at bats.
- The Panthers are finding success on the bases as they are second in the Missouri Valley in stolen bases per game. Averaging 1.38 stolen bags, UNI is nationally ranked at 66th.
- Redshirt sophomore Madison Parks has been a giving teammate through the non-conference season as she is first in the Valley for sacrifice flies. Parks averages 2 sacrifice fly bats per game which is best for 34th in the nation. Parks is also nationally ranked in walks per game.
THE SALUKIS:Â
- Southern Illinois will get a slightly earlier start to the conference season with a Wednesday double header against Missouri State. The Salukis finished the nonconference season with a 10-8 record that included wins over Mississippi State, Northern Illinois, and Ball State.
- The Salukis rank either first or second in the Valley in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while they lead the conference in batting average (.294) and on-base percentage (.402) and is second in slugging (.418).
- Southern Illinois longtime head coach Kerri Blaylock stepped away from head coaching duties earlier this season due to health reasons. Blaylock is still with the program in an administrative capacity while assistant coach Jen Sewell takes over head coaching duties on an interim basis.
- The Salukis are led by Jenny Jansen, who is just three RBI shy of breaking Shaye Harre's school record of 155 career RBI. Jansen has over 200 hits in her career and 30 home runs. Jansen also pitches for Southern Illinois, making her first career start last week against Southern Illinois Edwardsville. Jansen threw a complete game allowing four runs on 11 hits with four walks.Â
Players Mentioned
UT
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