UNI softball wins game two over Illinois State on seventh inning home run

Saturday, April 22

Normal, IL

2 PM

University of Northern Iowa

29-11, 18-1

Illinois State University

25-19, 14-5

UNI

Illinois State

Photo by: Illinois State Athletics

UNI softball wins game two over Illinois State on seventh inning home run

4/22/2023 10:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

NORMAL, Ill. -- The Panthers continue to find runs in late-game situations as they pick up their second win of the weekend over Illinois State.

A two-run homer from shortstop Kylee Sanders gave UNI the edge in Saturday's 5-3 win against the Illinois State Redbirds. With the win, the Panthers picked up their seventh series win in Missouri Valley Conference play. UNI also had multiple non-conference wins against four teams.

The Panthers played most of Saturday's game from behind as the Redbirds scored in the bottom of the first. After giving up two hits and a run coming home, starting pitcher Kailyn Packard dialed it in to post nine strikeouts through seven innings of work. This included striking out the side bottom of the second after a lead-off walk.

While UNI struggled to score runs early on, it wasn't tough for the lineup to get runners on base. Before their first run in the top of the fifth, the Panthers had multiple runners on the base paths with four hits. They broke through in the fifth after back-to-back walks for left fielder Mya Dodge and designated player Addison McElrath. Second baseman Taylor Hogan hit UNI's second double of the day down the left-field line to score Dodge and tie the game up.

Two at-bats later, the Panthers took the lead for the first time as a sacrifice fly from right fielder Sammy Moss brought home pinch runner Makenna Kuper. UNI's lead didn't last long as Illinois State responded in the bottom half of the inning with a run on a double down the right field line. But after finding their offense in the fifth, it kept coming for the Panthers in the sixth.

UNI tied the game up in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded. Dodge hit the Panthers' second sacrifice fly of the day back into the warning tracks of right field to score Sanders from third. UNI's defense came up strong in the bottom of the inning to strand a Redbird at second.

With the game tied and one inning left, the Panthers started strong with a lead-off single from third baseman Brooke Snider. Snider was caught stealing in the next at-bat, but Moss made it to first on a walk to keep UNI with a lead runner. Following a fly out to right Sanders came up to bat with two outs. It only took four pitchers for Snider to find her ball as she launched a home run past center field to give the Panthers a two-run lead. UNI ended the game shortly after, picking up the last three outs in four batters.

Three Panthers provided most of the hitting for the day as Sanders, Snider, and catcher Alexis Pupillo all had two hits. Two other batters in Hogan and center fielder Madison Parks had UNI's other hits to make eight on the afternoon. While Sanders was the only player to bring multiple runs home with her two RBI home run.

Starting pitcher Kailyn Packard pitched her fifth complete game of the year against Illinois State. In seven innings of work Packard threw nine strikeouts while allowing six hits and three walks.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers will try to pick up their fifth sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon. First pitch for the final game of the weekend is set for noon from Normal.