UNI softball gets ninth straight win with sweep of Valparaiso

Saturday, April 16

Valparaiso, IN

12 PM

University of Northern Iowa

21-11, 12-1

Valparaiso University

10-24, 1-14

UNI

Valparaiso

UNI softball gets ninth straight win with sweep of Valparaiso

4/16/2022 2:18:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- UNI softball continues to grow its winning streak as they captured a series win against Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon.

In the Panthers Easter weekend finale, it was the long ball and pitching that made the difference in a close game against the Beacons. Two home in the first and sixth innings helped propel UNI to the 3-1 win over Valparaiso which had just seven hits per team.

While it was a slower game for the Panthers than Friday's doubleheader, UNI scored early on. Designated player Mya Dodge led off with a home run to left field after a six-pitch contest with Beacons starting pitcher Easton Seib. One more batter for the Panthers would reach base in the first but a flyout to center would end any chance for UNI in the first inning.

For the next three innings, neither team scored but would strand at least one runner per half inning as starting pitcher Kailyn Packard dueled with Seib. Packard would stay in the circle through four and a third innings, throwing five strikeouts in 15 at-bats. Packard also allowed no walks during her turn dueling with Seib.

The Panthers grew their lead to two in a lengthy top of the fifth. Dodge would start the inning with a double to right that put her in scoring position. Two batters later, center fielder Madison Parks hit a single just past second base to get Dodge to third. That was followed by another UNI single, this time by left fielder Kamryn Shaffer that rocketed past third base for the RBI.

Valpo would quickly end the half-inning after the run scored, grabbing two flyouts in a row. The Beacons would also get their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. A leadoff double for designated player Addi Weaver set up a scoring chance for Valparaiso. At the top of the order, center fielder Peyton Morder put a single right over third base to bring home pinch-runner, Lauren Sena.

The Beacons would get one more single in the fifth but a strikeout from reliever Samantha Heyer and a quick play from third to first would end the damage. With the Panther lead down to just one, nine-hole batter and first baseman Daryn Lamprecht continued her hot streak with a solo shot to right field in the top of the sixth. Lamprecht's fifth home run of the season would put UNI back up by two, giving the Panthers a little insurance heading into the final inning.

UNI's defense held strong in the sixth and seventh as they retired Valpo in order in the sixth. In the seventh, the Panthers would grab two straight outs but a final single from Moeder would put another base runner on. But Moeder wouldn't go anywhere as UNI made the third and final out of the game in center field.

Heyer pitched 2.2 innings in relief with three strikeouts and three hits allowed. Both Dodge and third baseman Brooke Snider had two hits on the day while Lamprecht, Parks, and catcher Emmy Wells each had a single hit. Three batters also had RBIs with Dodge and Lamprecht's home runs and an RBI single from Parks.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers get the Easter holiday off before going back to work on Tuesday. UNI welcomes in-state MVC rival, Drake, to town for a midweek doubleheader. First pitch against the Bulldogs is set for 4 p.m. from Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex on April 19.