UNI softball stumbles in final day of Doc Halverson Classic

Sunday, February 12

Cedar Falls, Iowa

11:30 AM

University of Northern Iowa

0-4

Iowa State University

2-3

Iowa State

Northern Iowa

Photo by: Tyler Meyers

UNI softball stumbles in final day of Doc Halverson Classic

2/12/2023 8:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- It was a tale of two games for the Panthers as they ended the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic with losses to Iowa State and South Dakota.

UNI took an early lead against the Cyclones but two big offensive innings for Iowa State handed the Panthers an 8-2 loss. In the final game of the tournament, UNI was down early but had a five-run third inning to take a commanding lead. But the Coyotes had back-to-back four-run innings putting the game just out of reach for the Panthers.

GAME 1 | Iowa State, 8-2

It was a quick start to UNI's first game of the day as both teams had a three-up and three-down first inning. The Cyclones had similar results in the second but the Panther offense started clicking in the bottom of the inning. First baseman Daryn Lamprecht led the inning off with a ground-rule double that was followed by walks for second baseman Taylor Hogan and designated player Hannah Kelley.

Following Kelley's walk outfielder Sammy Moss hit a single to short that was intended to be a fielder's choice. But Iowa State's shortstop missed the tag on Hogan going from second to third for the third out. The shortstop error gave Daryn Lamprecht time to make it home for the first run of the game.

But the Cyclones answered back in the top of the third with four runs on three hits from starting pitcher Samantha Heyer. The Panthers would work their way out of the inning with an infield and an outfield putout. UNI would get their only other run of the game in the bottom of the third as catcher Alexis Pupillo walked and Lamprecht singled to left center.

With runners on the corners, shortstop Kylee Sanders knocked a fielder's choice RBI into the infield. The fielder's choice brought Pupillo home for her second collegiate run scored. The Panthers loaded the bases shortly after but two quick putouts ended the potential UNI rally.

The Panthers wouldn't find home plate again as Iowa State added four more runs in the top of the fifth. UNI put two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth but two strikeouts and a long flyout ended the Panthers best chance at adding more runs.

GAME 2 | South Dakota, 9-6

While the UNI offense struggled to get going against Iowa State, the Panther offense had an inning explosion in their second game versus the Coyotes. South Dakota had the first run of the game in four at-bats during the first inning. UNI had three players reach base in the bottom of the inning in five at-bats but didn't bring anyone in.

That wouldn't be the case in the bottom of the third, as the entire lineup had an at-bat. A lead-off single from Moss set the Panthers up for the tying run especially after Moss stole second base. Sanders walked in her at-bat, setting up outfielder Faith Standerski for a sacrifice bunt that put both runners in scoring position. Another sacrifice play from Pupillo to right field brought Moss home for the tying run.

UNI scored two more runs three at-bats later as a throwing error from the Coyotes third baseman put Lamprecht at first. And a held dropped third strike by South Dakota's catcher loaded the bases. With the bases loaded, Kelley hit a long single into right field for Sanders and Lamprecht to score.

Hogan scored right after as third baseman Brooke Snider hit a single to center. With Snider on first and pinch runner Maggie Erpelding on third, Snider took advantage of a long ball to steal second. Snider was then able to advance to third and score Erpelding, as the Coyotes second baseman overthrew third while trying to get the final out.

The Panthers scoring tear would end as designated player Addison McElrath struck out for the final out of the inning. South Dakota loaded up the bases in the top of the fourth but starting pitcher Kailyn Packard worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout and a lineout. But the Coyotes wouldn't waste loaded bases twice in a row as they scored four in the fifth to tie the game up.

UNI didn't answer in the bottom as they had three quick outs. South Dakota took the lead in the next inning finding runs on Panther errors at first and a passed ball in six at-bats. UNI got out of the sixth as pitcher Samantha Heyer threw two straight strikeouts after replacing Anna Wischnowski.

The Panthers added their last run of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Snider led off with a ground-rule double to left and stole third not long after. Outfielder Madison Parks was then able to single to center, sending Snider home for her lone run of the day. UNI put two on base in the second but couldn't find another hit in the loss.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers get a week and a half to regroup from the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic before hitting the road. UNI will make a stop in Tennessee for a single game with Austin Peay State before a two-week swing in Georgia.