UNI softball loses first conference game of the season to Indiana State

Saturday, April 8

Terre Haute, IN

1 PM

University of Northern Iowa

21-11, 0

Indiana State University

19-18, 0

Northern Iowa

Indiana State

Photo by: Indiana State Athletics

UNI softball loses first conference game of the season to Indiana State

4/8/2023 4:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Panthers couldn't quite find an answer to Indiana State pitcher Lauren Sackett in their first conference loss of the season.

While UNI was able to hit off of Sackett in its 6-4 loss to the Sycamores, there only had two innings that the Panthers were able to bring runs home. Along with some defensive struggles, UNI didn't have its usual finish to pull off an 11th straight conference win.

The Panthers did take the early lead on Saturday afternoon, putting up two runs on two hits. A lead-off walk for left fielder Mya Dodge was followed by a single from designated hitter Addison McElrath to put runners in scoring position. While they didn't come home on the next at-bat with a fielder's choice, Dodge made her way to third.

After a steal to second by Taylor Hogan, UNI scored two runs on the next play as Dodge and Hogan were brought home on a stand-up double by right fielder Faith Standerski. A strikeout ended the Panthers' turn on offense, putting them in the driver's seat early. Indiana State responded with a run in the bottom of the second on a double and a sacrifice fly to cut UNI's lead in half.

It'd be a scoreless third for the Panthers but not for the Sycamores. Indiana State scored four runs on three hits in the bottom of the third, taking a 5-2 lead as UNI struggled to find outs in the outfield. But the multi-run lead for the Sycamores didn't last long as the Panthers found more offense in the top of the fourth.

Dodge led off with a single to center field and made her way to second on a wild pitch. McElrath then connected on her second hit of the day, a double off the wall into right field that scored Dodge and got her to third. On UNI's next at bat, pinch runner Makenna Kuper scored a fourth run on a sacrifice fly. It was the Panthers' last run of the day as they left runners stranded over the next three innings.

Indiana State tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fourth for the final 6-4 score. Both teams had hits over the next two and a half innings but nothing else made its way home. UNI ended the game with four runs on seven hits and no official errors.

McElrath led Saturday's game with a perfect batting percentage, connecting on a hit in all three of her at-bats. No other Panther had more than a single hit through seven innings while Dodge was the only player to score multiple runs. The sophomore outfielder had two runs on the afternoon while Hogan and Kuper scored the other two. Standerski led the team in RBIs with two on her double in the top of the second.

In the circle, Kailyn Packard pitched only her third complete game of the year. In six innings of work, Packard allowed six runs on eight hits with four walks. Packard added three strikeouts to her resume, bringing her season total to 94.

UP NEXT:
UNI closes out its weekend series with a third and final game against Indiana State. The Panthers will play a late morning game against the Sycamores on Easter Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. from Price Field.