UNI softball win streak ends at 16 following Iowa loss

Wednesday, May 4

Cedar Falls, Iowa

5 PM

University of Northern Iowa

29-12

University of Iowa

20-29

Iowa Hawkeyes

Northern Iowa

UNI softball win streak ends at 16 following Iowa loss

5/4/2022 8:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Panthers weren't able to overcome a quick start by the Iowa Hawkeyes to lose their first game in over a month 3-2.

Despite tying the game and taking the lead, Northern Iowa wasn't able to beat the Hawkeyes in their first matchup since 2019. The Panthers were able to get the bat on the ball but struggled to bring runners in scoring position home on offense.

Iowa put up the first run of the game on a single to center field that sent their right fielder home. UNI answered quickly with a leadoff walk for designated player Mya Dodge and a single for right fielder Sammy Moss. A sacrifice fly to center field by left fielder Kamryn Shaffer would bring Dodge home to tie up the game.

The Hawkeyes would go down swinging in the second while catcher Emmy Wells hit a leadoff home run to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead. But the UNI lead wouldn't last for long as Iowa scored twice in the top of the third. A lineout to left field by the Hawkeyes would bring their runner on third home. While an error from third baseman Brooke Snider brought the runner at second home on the missed tag.

The two-run inning for Iowa would be the last scoring of the game. The Panthers would try to fight back, getting a runner on base in the next three innings. But Northern Iowa would strand four runners in the final four innings of the game, giving the Hawkeyes the 3-2 victory.

Starting pitcher Kailyn Packard was credited with the loss, spending four innings in the circle. In those four innings, Packard allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Pitcher Samantha Heyer came in for the final three innings, putting up five strikeouts with no walks and three hits.

Moss would be the only Panther hitter to have more than one hit in the game. Three other UNI batters had hits (Parks, Wells, and Taylor Hogan), while Shaffer and Wells had the two RBIs of the afternoon. Wells had her 17th home run of the season, moving into second in most home runs scored in a season with former shortstop Sammey Bunch.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers have their final series of the regular season over the weekend. UNI will travel to Peoria, Ill. to take on the Bradley Braves in a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's game will only be available through live stats while Saturday's doubleheader will be shown on ESPN3. First pitch on May 7 is set for noon.