UNI softball ready for in-conference series with Illinois State

Saturday, April 23

Cedar Falls, Iowa

1:30 PM

University of Northern Iowa

Illinois State University

UNI softball ready for in-conference series with Illinois State

4/21/2022 1:37:00 PM | Softball

UNI Game Notes Illinois State Game Notes Watch on ESPN3 Live Stats

UNI softball vs. Illinois State

12 p.m. & 2 p.m. | April 23
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex
ESPN3 | David Warrington: Play-by-Play, Julie Starbuck: Analyst

UNI softball vs. Illinois State

12 p.m. | April 24
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex
ESPN3 | David Warrington: Play-by-Play, Julie Starbuck: Analyst

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Panthers will be looking for revenger for a non-conference loss against the Illinois State Redbirds earlier in the season.

The two teams met back in March during the MTSU Invitational hosted by Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro. UNI saw a back and forth game go the Redbirds way after a four-run seventh inning for Illinois State to win 8-3. Now on a 10-game winning streak, the Panthers hope to avenge the loss with a three-game weekend series starting on Saturday. First pitch is set for noon but could be changed due to projected rain in the forecast.

THE PANTHERS:
- The Panthers are on their best win streak in a decade after taking both doubleheader games against in-state rival Drake. UNI have won 10 games in a rows with the wins against the Bulldogs. The Panthers longest program win streak is 15 games during the 2012 season.
- Sophomore catcher Emmy Wells and freshman designated player/left fielder Mya Dodge keep climbing up the rankings when it comes to home runs. The two underclassmen have 12 homers apiece, best for 1st in the MVC and 47th in the nation.
- Redshirt-junior Brooke Snider hit her first collegiate grand slam in a Panther uniform during UNI's first game against Drake. Down by two runs with the bases loaded, Snider launched a moonshot left-center in the bottom of the second to put the Panthers up by two.
- For the fifth week in a row, the Panthers have had a player named to the MVC's list of weekly honors. Shortstop Kylee Sanders was named Newcomer of the Week after helping UNI at the plate and in the field. Sanders slashed .364/.364/.727 in 11 at bats with four hits and three runs. Sanders also excelled in the field with 2 putouts, 9 assists, and 1.000 fielding percentage while contributing to one of three UNI double plays.

THE REDBIRDS:
- Illinois State is having a strong showing in their conference season so far with at least one win against every MVC they've faced. The Redbirds have swept one Valley team in Evansville with three wins on April 9 and 10 with a 9-7 MVC record.
- The Redbirds are coming off a split with in-state rivals Bradley with Illinois State taking the second game of the doubleheader. The Redbirds adjusted after the first loss to the Braves and saw Jayden Standish and Dayna Kennedy both go deep to left field to combine for 7 RBI. Senior Emme Olson reached base safely in both contests, extending her reached base safely streak to 32 consecutive games.
- Junior pitcher Amanda Fox is leading Illinois State in the circle as the lefty tossed 26.0 innings in six games in a span of five days. Fox had a career day against Indiana State on April 3 as she went the distance and struck out 11 batters - both a career high in innings pitched (7.0) and Ks (11). She pitched another complete game against Drake in the first game of the DH as the Redbirds beat the Bulldogs 8-0 in a five-inning game.
- Senior team captain Emme Olson has been named one of 30 NCAA Division I softball student-athletes selected for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award. The Senior CLASS Award recognizes players in their final season who are leaders on the field, in the classroom, and around their community.