UNI softball falls in midweek matchup with RV Missouri

Wednesday, March 29

Columbia, MO

3 PM

University of Northern Iowa

17-10

University of Missouri

21-14

Northern Iowa

Mizzou

UNI softball falls in midweek matchup with RV Missouri

3/29/2023 6:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Panthers couldn't quite figure out the RV Missouri Tigers in a midweek 4-1 road loss.

UNI led in hits and runners in scoring position but didn't find its usual finish to beat the Tigers on Wednesday. Freshman catcher Alexis Pupillo kept her hitting streak going in Columbia, putting up her 10th straight game with at least a hit.

While it took the Panther offense a little bit to get going, Missouri had back-to-back hits to start the game. A leadoff single followed by a home run put the Tigers up 2-0 after a single inning. UNI responded by connecting on its first hit of the day as left fielder Mya Dodge put a double down the left field line. But Dodge ended up stranded as the Panthers didn't find another hit in the second.

Missouri pushed its lead to four in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on a double, an error, and a sacrifice play. Despite being down by four, UNI continued to fight back as shortstop Kylee Sanders picked up a single to center in the third. Relief pitcher Samantha Heyer came in during the third and shut down the Tiger's offense, throwing four strikes through the fifth.

At the plate, the Panthers added hits in the third and fifth before getting breaking the shutout in the sixth. The top of the sixth began with a groundout for UNI with the offense following right after. Pupillo connected on her only hit of the afternoon with a stand-up double to right field. She made her way to third on a ground out to the circle, putting her in place to bring home the Panthers' only run.

With a runner at third and two outs on the board, Dodge cracked a single up the middle to pick up UNI's only RBI as Pupillo scored. Dodge ended the day on offense stranded at first as the Panthers had their third out during the next at-bat. UNI kept Mizzou to one more hit in the game but didn't find any offense in the seventh to complete the comeback.

Four different Panthers connected for five hits on Wednesday afternoon. Dodge led the team at the plate with two hits and an RBI. In the circle, starter Kailyn Packard was credited with the loss pitching two innings for three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while throwing three strikeouts. Heyer pitched the final four innings of the game allowing one hit and walk while throwing five strikeouts.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers return home for their first Missouri Valley Conference series at Robinson-Dresser this weekend. UNI is set for three games against the Bradley Braves from March 31 through April 2. First pitch for game one is currently set for 5 p.m. in Cedar Falls.