UNI softball draws MVC quarterfinals matchup with in-state rival Drake

UNI softball vs. Drake Bulldogs

10 a.m. | May 11
Carbondale, Ill. | Dr. Charlotte West Stadium (503)
ESPN+ | Connor Onion: Play-by-play, Laura Leonard: Analyst

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Panthers get a familiar opponent to kick off postseason play in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

For the second time in as many tournaments, UNI will face in-state rivals Drake for its first game in the MVC Tournament. Over the regular season, the Panthers took all three games against the Bulldogs, including two at home and one in Des Moines. Last year UNI run-ruled Drake in the semifinal round of the 2022 MVC Tournament with a big 9-1 victory to move into the championship game. The Panthers will look for another big performance on Thursday morning to make their way into the semifinals at Charlotte West Stadium.

THE PANTHERS:
- For the second season in a row, UNI heads into the MVC Championship Tournament as the number one seed. This is the fourth time in program history that the Panthers have come into the tournament with the number one seed since the Missouri Valley Conference began sponsoring softball in 1983.
- As the number one seed, the Panthers have not yet captured the tournament championship but look to change that pattern this week in Carbondale Ill. UNI end the regular season with an overall record of 38-11 with an MVC record of 26-1, their best conference record in program history.
- UNI's record-breaking regular season comes to a close with 11 new program records. The 2023 Panthers have set new records in batting average (.324), slugging percentage (.574), on-base percentage (.419), runs scored (342), doubles (95), home runs (70), pitching strikeouts (419), fewest hits allowed (228), fewest errors committed (36), conference wins (26), and consecutive wins (17).
- The Panthers came away with plenty of postseason hardware as the Valley announced the 2023 MVC All-Conference teams. UNI put nine players on the All-Conference teams, along with four specialty awards. Sophomore outfield Mya Dodge was named the MVC Player of the Year, Samantha Heyer was named the Pitcher of the Year, catcher Alexis Pupillo was named the Freshman of the Year, and the Panther coaching staff earned their third straight Coaching Staff of the Year award.

THE BULLDOGS:
- Drake comes into the quarterfinals matchup with the Panthers after a big win in the first round over the Evansville Purple Aces. The Bulldogs were lifted to their first win of the tournament by right fielder Emily Vaultman's grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning.
- The Bulldogs entered the 2023 tournament as the no. eight seed after finishing the regular season at 17-33 with a conference record of 10-17. Drake picked up key wins over UIC and Belmont at the end of the season to lift them above Evansville for the eighth spot after being selected seventh in the preseason poll.
- For their regular season play, Emma Dighton and Emily Vaultman were recognized by the conference with All-MVC Second Team selections. Dighton was also named the MVC Newcomer of the Year in her first season with Drake after transferring from DMACC.
- The Bulldogs will be without one of their best batters for postseason play as outfielder Aubree Beitzinger suffered an injury in Drake's final series of the year. Beitzinger had big games at the plate against UIC and Iowa State, pushing her senior-year batting average slightly over .300.

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