UNI softball takes first of three games from Illinois State

Friday, April 21

Normal, IL

5 PM

University of Northern Iowa

28-11, 0

Illinois State University

25-18, 0

UNI

Illinois State

Snider and Coach Jake at Illinois St. 2023

Photo by: Illinois State Athletics

UNI softball takes first of three games from Illinois State

4/21/2023 7:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

NORMAL, Ill. -- A late-inning home run propelled the Panthers to their first win of the weekend over the Illinois State Redbirds.

UNI extended their win streak to seven games on Friday evening in a 6-3 win over Illinois State. With the game tied with two innings to go, it looked like the Panthers would have their first extra innings game in two weeks. But a two-run homer from first baseman Daryn Lamprecht in the top of the seventh sealed UNI's 17th Missouri Valley Conference win of the season.

The Redbirds took an early one-run lead in the bottom of the second after the Panthers' offense struggled to connect against pitcher Hannah James. It didn't take UNI long to figure out James, as catcher Alexis Pupillo hit an RBI double to left center in the top of the third to score two runs. The Panthers kept their slim one-run lead for the third and fourth innings.

UNI then found some insurance in the form of a Brooke Snider home run in the top of the fifth past the center field fence. But Illinois State responded in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game up on a two-run double to left field. The tie only lasted for three at-bats as Pupillo scored the Panthers' fourth run of the day on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth after being walked to begin the inning.

Neither team had a hit in the sixth inning, setting up for what looked to be a quick seventh. But a single early on in the top of the seventh for UNI set up the insurance-winning scenario for Lamprecht. With a runner at first, the junior first baseman launched a bomb past center field to give the Panthers the three-run advantage. Relief pitcher Kailyn Packard stepped into the circle for the final half-inning, throwing three straight putouts to end the game.

Starting pitcher Samantha Heyer grabbed the win on Friday evening while Packard was credited with her first save of the season. In six innings of work, Heyer threw six strikeouts with five hits allowed. Packard's save performance included no hits and no walks.

Snider was the only UNI player with multiple hits on Friday with a single and a home run. Pupillo and Lamprecht added the Panthers' other two hits of the game while five players scored UNI's six runs.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers continue their road trip in Illinois against the Redbirds on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Marian Kneer Softball Stadium is set for 2 p.m.