UNI Softball: Panther pitchers dominate in doubleheader wins over Valparaiso

Friday, April 28

Cedar Falls, Iowa

12 PM

University of Northern Iowa

32-11, 0

Valparaiso University

8-35, 0

Valparaiso Beacons

Northern Iowa

UNI Softball: Panther pitchers dominate in doubleheader wins over Valparaiso

4/28/2023 5:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- A combined 25 strikeouts from UNI pitchers led the Panthers to two wins over the Valparaiso Beacons on Friday afternoon.

With sunny skies, warm temperatures, and evening rain in the forecast, UNI moved Sunday's game to Friday for a last-minute doubleheader against the visiting Beacons. And on a perfect day to play two, the Panthers picked up two big wins putting them within striking distance of clinching the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season title. Along with lights-out performances in the circle from pitchers Samantha Heyer and Kailyn Packard, UNI collected 16 hits in its 7-2 and 3-0 wins on Friday.

GAME 1 | W, 7-2
The Panther offense got things started early as they scored in the second at-bat of the day. After walking leadoff hitter Kylee Sanders, catcher Alexis Pupillo put a double into right center, bringing Sanders home for the quick lead. UNI added two more runners on the base paths with a walk to outfielder Madison Parks and a single down the right-field line from designated player Addison McElrath.

The Panthers followed up by having two runners in scoring position with back-to-back singles from infielders Taylor Hogan and Brooke Snider, scoring their second and third runs of the day. After a big first inning on offense, starting pitcher Samantha Heyer threw three-straight strikeouts in the top of the second. UNI picked up another hit in the bottom of the inning from a Sanders double to right center but stranded the shortstop at second.

Valparaiso scored both of its runs on Friday in the top of the third inning. With two on and only one out, both base runners advanced into scoring position on a passed ball. A double to right center following the passed ball scored both runners, making it a one-run game for the Panthers.

While UNI didn't answer back with a run in the bottom of the third, the Panthers continued to add hits, with one each in the third and fourth. After giving up two walks and one hit in the third, Heyer locked back, throwing five strikeouts to six batters. UNI added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth by loading up the bases with three batters on two singles and a walk. A big single by Snider through the left side brought two more Panther runners home, returning UNI to a three-run lead.

The Panthers tacked on their final runs of the first game in the bottom of the sixth. Pupillo led the half inning off with a solo home run to left for UNI's sixth run. The Panthers' seventh run was scored by outfielder Mya Dodge on an RBI single for Hogan after Dodge hit a double to the left field wall. With a five-run lead, Heyer threw her 17th strikeout of the day to set a new career-high for most K's in a game. After the strikeout, Heyer drew two ground outs, ending the game a half inning early for UNI.

In their first game of the day, the Panthers tied the program record for most doubles in a season at 81 with three doubles from Sanders, Pupillo, and Dodge. Overall UNI had 13 hits in their first game, with multi-hit games from Sanders, Pupillo, Dodge, Hogan, and Snider. With 17 strikeouts on the day, Heyer set a new record for most strikeouts in a season by a Panther pitcher with 231 strikeouts on the season. The previous record was set in 1982 by Jennifer Berger, with 216 batters struck out.

GAME 2 | W, 3-0
While UNI's first game of the day was all offense, its second game was almost all defense. Starting pitcher Kailyn Packard wasn't letting anything get past her, having a perfect game through four innings on Friday. The Panther offense also took a little bit to get going, not scoring until late in the second.

UNI had a hit in the first on a double by Pupillo to the left-field line. But she would be stranded at second after a two-out at-bat for Dodge ended the inning. In the bottom of the second, the Panthers scored their first run of the second game as outfielder Sammy Moss hit an RBI single past the Beacon's shortstop to score Hogan from second base.

It was a short third inning for both teams as they went down in order. Valparaiso also had a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth while UNI added to its lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Snider hit a two-run moon shot out of left field, scoring herself and pinch hitter Maggie Erpelding. The home run was the Panthers' last runs of the day as they added one more hit in the bottom of the sixth.

Packard pitched a complete game for UNI and looked to have the first perfect game of her career on Friday. But a lone hit by the Beacons in the top of the fifth ended Packard's perfect day in the circle. She quickly recovered, throwing two more strikeouts for eight on the day.

Doubles from Pupillo and McElrath in the Panthers' second game of the day broke another UNI record. With 83 doubles this season, the 2023 Panthers surpass the previous record set by the 2016 team of 81. UNI has five more games in the season to add to that record, as the team averages 1.83 doubles a game.

McElrath was the only Panther with multiple hits in game two, as she had a pair. Four other UNI batters connected on hits for six total. Outfielder Madison Parks picked up the Panthers' only walk of the game, while Snider led the team in RBIs with two.

UP NEXT:
UNI will look to clinch the MVC Regular Season title with a win on Saturday afternoon against the Valparaiso Beacons. The Panthers' third game of the weekend will start at noon at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex.