UNI softball to play three game series in Valparaiso

UNI softball vs. Valparaiso

12 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. | April 15
Valparaiso, Ind. | Valpo Softball Complex (500)
ESPN3 | Brian Jennings: Play-by-Play, Jamie Stangel: Analyst

UNI softball vs. Valparaiso

12 p.m. | April 16
Valparaiso, Ind. | Valpo Softball Complex (500)
ESPN3 | Todd Ickow: Play-by-Play, Kathy Levandoski: Analyst

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- UNI softball hits the road for their final road series in April over the holiday weekend.

After a big week of wins against in-state and conference teams, the Panthers make their way to Indiana for three games against the Valparaiso Beacons. Due to the Easter Sunday holiday, UNI will play a doubleheader against the Beacons on Friday afternoon with a single game on Sunday at noon. Last time the Panthers saw Valparaiso in 2021, UNI was able to sweep the Beacons handily with scores of 9-0, 9-3, and 10-5.

THE PANTHERS:
- UNI continues to excel behind the plate, adding two more run-shortened games to their schedule this season. The Panthers have been able to end things early in four games so far this season against Chattanooga, Evansville, Iowa State, and Loyola.
- Sophomore catcher Emmy Wells continues to lead the Missouri Valley Conference in home runs. Wells has 11 home runs this season which puts her at 40th in the nation.
- With 13 home runs added to the season total this week, the Panthers are 18th among NCAA Division I teams in home runs per game. UNI averages 1.41 homers a game through 29 games this season. The 2022 team is on pace to set a program record in home runs. The current UNI season record for home runs is 59 in 2019.
- For the fourth week in a row, the Panthers have had a player named to the MVC's list of weekly honors. This time catcher Emmy Wells was awarded her first Player of the Week honors. Wells slashed .700/.769/1.800 last week along with leading UNI in RBIs with 11 through four games.

THE BEACONS:
- Valparaiso is currently in the middle of their longest home stand of the season at 13 games. The Beacons wrap up their home stand with three games against the Panthers and two games against Loyola at the beginning of next week.
- The Beacons have struggled through the MVC season so far with just a lone Valley win against Indiana State on March 20th. The game against the Sycamores was a shutout for freshman pitcher Cheyenne Nietz and her second win of the season.
- Valparaiso is led by senior shortstop Jaina Westphal with a .308 batting average through 26 appearances. Closely behind Westphal is senior center fielder Peyton Moeder with a .305 batting average. Moeder also leads the team in hits, runs, and on base percentage.
- The Beacons have the toughest player in the league to strikeout in senior outfielder Kate Beckemeyer. Beckemeyer has only struck out six times in 83 at bats through 30 games. Beckemeyer is 74th in the nation for being the toughest to strikeout with 16 times of being retired.

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