UNI softball set for midweek test at RV/RV Missouri

UNI softball at Missouri

3 p.m. | March 29
Columbia, Mo. | Mizzou Softball Stadium (2,500)
SCN+/ESPN+ | Randy Moehlman: Play-by-play, Brooke Wilmes: Analyst

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Panthers will face their toughest team yet as they travel to the show me state for a midweek matchup with the Missouri Tigers.

After a big weekend in Chicago to keep their conference record perfect, UNI heads back south to take on Mizzou. The Tigers have received multiple votes in the Top 25 poll for the past two weeks and were ranked three weeks ago ahead of this week's release of the Top 25 polls. The Panthers haven't seen a ranked team or a team receiving votes yet this season after facing four in the non-conference season in 2022. UNI will look to avenge an NCAA Regional loss to Missouri in 2021 on Wednesday afternoon while on the road.

THE PANTHERS:
- UNI continued their perfect start to conference play with a sweep over the UIC Flames the past weekend. The Panthers had another strong offensive weekend, outscoring the Flames 24-2 with their second grand slam of the season.
- The Panther pitching staff also had a big weekend in the Windy City, lowering the team ERA and raising their strikeout-to-walk ratio. With a weekend ERA of 0.47 and a strike-to-walk ratio of 4.00. After the past weekend, Heyer and Packard are now nationally ranked in the Top 100 in strikeouts and strikeouts per game.
- Freshman catcher Alexis Pupillo picked up the first grand slam of her career against UIC. In the fifth inning of the final game, Pupillo connected on a strikeout to left field after the Panthers loaded the bases with a single and two walks. The four runs scored on Pupillo's sixth home run of the season gave UNI a 6-0 lead.
- The Panthers continue to pick up conference honors from Missouri Valley staff after another strong week of dominant play. Pitcher Samantha Heyer was named the MVC Pitcher of the Week for the second week in a row. In three games Heyer made three appearances for a 2-0 record and picked up the save in UNI's second game of the series. Heyer held the Racers well below their batting average at .051 during her 12 innings in the circle along with allowing only two hits. Heyer threw 24 strikeouts and no walks.

THE TIGERS:
- Missouri comes into Wednesday's game with an overall record of 20-13 but only 1-7 in conference play. The Tigers are currently on a two-game losing streak after dropping a doubleheader to No. 21/25 Auburn on Saturday. Missouri's last win came against fellow Missouri Valley Conference team Drake last Wednesday by a 7-1 decision.
- The Tigers have one more game against No. 21/25 Auburn set for Monday night at 6 p.m. that will be broadcast on SCEN.
- Missouri is led on offense by junior outfielder Alex Honnold who has a .474 batting average and .592 on-base percentage for an OPS of 1.477. Honnold is 12th in the nation in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage.
- In the circle, the Tigers ace is junior rightyLaurinKrings. In 77.1 innings this season Krings has a 7-6 record with a 2.44 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and allowing opponents a .280 batting average.

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