UNI softball winning streak snapped by Georgia Tech in 12-2 loss

Friday, March 3

Atlanta, Ga.

4 PM

University of Northern Iowa

Georgia Tech

UNI softball winning streak snapped by Georgia Tech in 12-2 loss

3/3/2023 10:47:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

ATLANTA – The Panther offense fell quiet in their first game of the I-75 Tournament in a 12-2 loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

UNI connected on only four hits through five innings in a run-rule-shortened game against Georgia Tech. Of the four hits, all but one gave the Panthers multiple bases including another home run for freshman catcher Alexis Pupillo. All three of the Panther's pitching rotation appeared in the circle on defense while UNI's fielding had its second clean game of the week.

The Panthers started strong as Pupillo doubled early in the first inning. The freshman would only make it to third on a wild pitch before being stranded on two straight outs. In the bottom of the first, the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases on a single and two walks. But starting pitcher Kailyn Packard threw two straight swinging strikeouts to end the inning with no harm done.

The top of the second gave UNI its second double of the game. Third baseman Brooke Snider connected on a ball that landed right between the outfielders in right-center for a double. Snider advanced to third on a ground out for Hogan following the double. Snider didn't get past third as Georgia Tech threw a strikeout to end the inning.

The Yellow Jackets' offense came alive in the second and continued into the fifth inning. Georgia Tech launched a grand slam along with a run on a single to take a 5-0 lead in the second. The Panthers were unable to answer in the third as shortstop Kylee Sanders took first after being hit by a pitch. Sanders stole her third base of the season for UNI's last offensive play until the top of the fifth.

Four more runs were added by the Yellow Jackets in the third as Samantha Heyer pitched her lone inning of the game. Georgia Tech put the game into run-rule territory in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three more runs on three hits. But the Panthers wouldn't allow the Yellow Jackets to shut them out.

With two outs on the board, Sanders took her second base of the game after again being hit by a pitch. Pupillo came up for her third at-bat, where she launched a rocket into right center, scoring two runs. A strikeout following the freshman catcher's homer ended the game giving the Panthers their seventh loss of the season.

Pupillo excelled on offense for UNI against Georgia Tech. In her three at-bats, Pupillo had two hits and two RBIs for a .381 batting average. Snider had the lone other hit for the Panthers with her double in the top of the second. Packard, Heyer, and sophomore Anna Wischnowski each pitched just over an inning against the Yellow Jackets, allowing 12 hits and seven walks while throwing six strikeouts.

UP NEXT:
UNI wraps up its time at the I-75 Tournament with a doubleheader against Kennesaw State. It will be only the second game the Panthers have played against the Owls and the first at Bailey Park. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 12:30 p.m. CT.