University of Northern Iowa
32-14
Missouri State University
27-18
UNI softball falls in the MVC Championship title game to Missouri State
5/14/2022 3:29:00 PM | Softball
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- After a record-breaking season, UNI softball drops their final MVC game in the tournament championship to the Missouri State Bears.
Despite fighting back to lead the game in the first, the Panthers couldn't overcome offensive explosions in the fifth and seventh innings from the Bears in a 10-4 loss. In a game that had a little bit of everything, including a 30-minute weather delay, UNI was able to put four runs and six hits on the MVC Pitcher of the Year, Steffany Dickerson. But it wouldn't be quite enough to give the Panthers a victory on Saturday afternoon.
Missouri State would get on the board first with an RBI single early after a leadoff single. Northern Iowa would answer back quickly though in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of three errors committed by the Bears. Left fielder Mya Dodge led off with a base on an error followed by a double to right field from Sammy Moss. With two in scoring position, center fielder Madison Parks smacked one to first base, forcing an error to allow Dodge to score. Moss would then make her way home on a missed throw to home, putting the Panthers up 2-1.
UNI extended their lead in the bottom of the third after getting the Bears in order. Shortstop Kylee Sanders and first baseman DarynLamprecht reached the corners early in the second to set up Dodge. Dodge delivered with a single to left field, bringing Sanders in for a two-run lead. Missouri State would cut into the lead in the bottom of the third with an RBI double.
The Panthers started the fourth inning strong with two strikeouts but would have to take a 44-minute break due to a lightning delay at Killian Stadium. After the break, Samantha Heyer came into pitch and made the final out looking. But Northern Iowa's offense wouldn't find much success on Dickerson in the fourth or the fifth. The Bears would score three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a home run to center field. Another solo homer in the sixth would put Missouri State up by three.
UNI wasn't done yet as Emmy Wells began the bottom of the sixth with a walk. A single from second baseman Taylor Hogan along with a stolen bag put the redshirt sophomore in scoring position. With Hogan on second, Sanders connected for her first hit to center to score Hogan and make it a two-run game. But the Bears would score four in the seventh, putting the game out of reach.
Hogan would lead the team in hits with two while Dodge, Moss, Sanders, and Lamprecht each had one. Four different players would score the Panthers four runs (Dodge, Moss, Hogan, Sanders) while three players had RBIs (Dodge, Parks, Sanders). Heyer would be credited with the loss, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing three hits, four earned runs, and grabbing four strikeouts. Starter Kailyn Packard would spend the majority of the game in the circle with 5.2 innings. On 122 pitches, Packard allowed six hits, three earned runs and threw six strikeouts.
UNI had three players named to the MVC All-Tournament team by league staff. The Panthers entire outfield would be recognized for their work in the field and at the plate. Dodge, Moss, and Parks all grabbed a nod on the All-Tournament team.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Steffany Dickerson (21-7)
L: Heyer, Samantha (10-4)
Batting:
2B: Madison Hunsaker 1 ; Tess Weakly 1
HR: Madison Hunsaker 1 ; Tess Weakly 1
RBI: Madison Hunsaker 4 ; Alex Boze 1 ; Tess Weakly 3 ; Ellie McCoy 1
SF: Ellie McCoy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Daphne Plummer 1 ; Payton Minnis 2 ; Madison Hunsaker 1 ; Olivia Krehbiel 1 ; Alex Boze 1 ; Annie Mueller 1 ; Tess Weakly 1 ; Kat Taylor 1 ; Skyler Shaw 1
SB: Kenzie Derryberry 1
HBP: Daphne Plummer 1 ; Olivia Krehbiel 1 ; Annie Mueller 1
Batting:
2B: Moss, Sammy 1
RBI: Dodge, Mya 1 ; Parks, Madison 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Dodge, Mya 1 ; Moss, Sammy 1 ; Hogan, Taylor 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1
SB: Hogan, Taylor 1
HBP: Sanders, Kylee 1
