UNI softball picks up 10th MVC win at Indiana State

Friday, April 7

Terre Haute, IN

2 PM

University of Northern Iowa

21-10, 0

Indiana State University

18-18, 0

Northern Iowa

Indiana State

UNI softball picks up 10th MVC win at Indiana State

4/7/2023 5:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Panthers pushed their conference win number into double-digits on Friday afternoon in an 8-3 win over Indiana State.

Returning to the road wasn't a problem for UNI as they had 12 hits in game one of three against the Indiana State Sycamores. At Price Field, the Panthers dominated almost the entire time, allowing just two hits in the first six innings. UNI's pitching staff continued to strike out more batters than they walked, with a seven-to-one ratio against Indiana State.

The Panther offense started nice and early with two back-to-back singles. The next two at-bats resulted in outs for UNI. But in her first game this season as the designated player, sophomore Addison McElrath smacked a single up the middle to score two runs. The Panthers took a quick two-nothing lead and kept it for the next three innings.

As the UNI bats went quiet over the next three innings with only two hits, the Sycamores found a little offense in the bottom of the fourth. Indiana State connected on one hit and an RBI ground out to cut the Panther lead to one. UNI responded almost immediately in the fifth inning, putting up three runs on four hits.

Despite two quick outs, the Panthers had shortstop Kylee Sanders on first and current MVC Player of the Week Mya Dodge at the plate. Dodge watched a ball go past before ripping a hit past left field for her seventh homer of the season, scoring two more runs. That was all the scoring UNI had in the fifth but they added three more consecutive hits for nine on the day.

After taking out the Sycamores in order, the Panthers pushed the lead out even further in the top of the sixth. First baseman Daryn Lamprecht led off the inning with a single down the left-field line. UNI loaded the bases three at-bats later with another hit-by-pitch and a walk, bringing Dodge back up to the plate. Dodge connected again for the Panthers, this time with a long single to left scoring two more runs.

Another RBI single for McElrath scored UNI's final run of the game in the sixth. The Panther defense ended the inning quickly with three straight outs in the field. The offense had a similar fate in the top of the seventh with two groundouts and a pop-out.

Indiana State began a rally in the bottom of the seventh with three straight hits on relief pitcher Anna Wischnowski, loading the bases. A wild pitch during the Sycamores' fourth at-bat brought a run home with runners at third and second. UNI's defense picked up their first out of the inning on the next at-bat but had the bases loaded again on a single to third.

With the bases loaded for a second time that inning, starting pitcher Samantha Heyer came back into the circle. Heyer threw a swinging strikeout once reentering the circle for the Panthers' second out. But a walk during the next at-bat brought a third run home for Indiana State. UNI was able to end the rally with a flyout in left to secure the 8-3 win.

McElrath led the team in hits with three while Dodge and catcher Alexis Pupillo had two on the day. Five other Panthers had a hit each for eight players making a difference in the hitting column. Dodge brought in the most runs with four RBIs as McElrath had three. Sanders was the only player to score multiple runs against the Sycamores, coming home on three occasions.

In the circle, Heyer grabbed the win in 6.2 innings pitched. She allowed two hits and one earned run but threw seven strikeouts in 22 at-bats. Relief pitcher Anna Wischnowski pitched 0.1 for UNI with four hits, three earned runs, one walk, and a strikeout.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers continue their Indiana road swing with a second game against Indiana State. First pitch from Price Field is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN3.