UNI Softball: Dodge sets season RBI record in walk off win against Drake

Tuesday, April 25

Cedar Falls, Iowa

5 PM

University of Northern Iowa

31-11, 0

Drake University

14-29, 0

Drake

Northern Iowa

UNI Softball: Dodge sets season RBI record in walk off win against Drake

4/25/2023 7:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Panthers broke multiple records in their 11-2 victory over the Drake Bulldogs on Tuesday evening.

Sophomore outfielder Mya Dodge hit her first career grand slam to seal UNI's series sweep over in-state rival Drake. Dodge's six RBIs against the Bulldogs set a new Panther record for most RBIs in a season at 61. She broke the record set by former outfielder Rachel Gerking in 2009 of 59 RBIs in a single season. The Panthers also set two Missouri Valley Conference records in runs scored against conference opponents (188) and team doubles (45).

UNI took an early lead and didn't let go through six innings on Tuesday night. After a quick first inning and a 1-2-3 top of the second on defense, the Panther offense began clicking with an RBI single from Sammy Moss to score second baseman Taylor Hogan. UNI quickly added three more runs in the bottom of the third as shortstop Kylee Sanders hit a solo home run. Sanders homer was followed by back-to-back singles that set up Dodge's first two RBIs of the game. Dodge hit a double into left field putting the Panthers up 4-0.

Drake answered in the top of the fourth with their first run of the day after three straight hits. The Bulldogs added one more run in the inning to cut UNI's lead to four. But a lead-off solo homer for third baseman Brooke Snider added a little insurance for the Panthers in the bottom of the fourth. It was a quick fifth inning as both teams went down in order but it looked like Drake would cut UNI's lead down again with two on in the top of the sixth. The Panthers responded by turning their eighth double play of the season, getting outs at second and first to end the offensive threat.

The momentum of the double play sparked an offensive surge for UNI in the bottom of the sixth. The Panthers' first three batters all connected on hits, which became two runs on back-to-back errors from the Bulldogs' center fielder. UNI had two pop-up outs not long after, but two walks in between loaded up the bases for Dodge. After fouling off a pitch and watching a ball go pass, Dodge smashed her first grand slam past center field for the walk-off win.

Three Panthers had two-hit games in Dodge, Snider, and Moss. Four other UNI players had a hit in Tuesday's win while four others scored multiple runs. Moss also had a multi-RBI game for the Panthers with three behind Dodge's six. In the circle starter Kailyn Packard pitched six innings, throwing nine strikeouts and allowing no walks for her 11th win of the season.

UP NEXT:
UNI will get two days off before welcoming the Valparaiso Beacons to Cedar Falls. The Panthers will play three games in three days against the Beacons starting on Friday at 5 p.m.