UNI softball ends MVC Tournament run in semifinals loss to Indiana State

Friday, May 12

Carbondale, Ill.

2 PM

University of Northern Iowa

39-12

Indiana State University

32-24

Indiana State

Northern Iowa

UNI Softball 2023 MVC Tournament Semifinals

Photo by: Missouri Valley Conference

UNI softball ends MVC Tournament run in semifinals loss to Indiana State

5/12/2023 5:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Panthers' record-breaking season came to a close in the semifinal round of the MVC Championship Tournament.

UNI wasn't able to plate a run in their 1-0 semifinal loss to the Indiana State Sycamores. It was the only game this season that the Panthers were shut out by a fellow Missouri Valley Conference opponent. UNI still had a solid day at the plate, connecting on seven hits and taking five walks to first through seven innings.

The Panther defense got the game started with three outs in five batters, including starter Samantha Heyer's first strikeout of the day. But UNI's offense ran into a red-hot Sycamore defense, being taken down on three double plays, including the bottom of the first. The Panthers gave up the only run of the day in the top of the second as Indiana State's designated player walked, took second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third and home on sacrifice plays.

UNI had one of their best chances at the plate in the bottom of the third inning. After three singles in four batters from Daryn Lamprecht, Kylee Sanders, and Madison Parks, the Panthers had a runner come home on a strange play. A fair ball came back into play at the first base line to drive the run in but a miscommunication at home took out both the runner and batter after a lengthy review found that two tags were made on the play.

The Panthers loaded up the bases a second time in the bottom of the fifth with a single and back-to-back walks. But a strikeout looking to left fielder Mya Dodge left the three UNI runners stranded on the base paths. The Panther defense continued to give the offense a chance allowing no runners in the sixth and only one in the top of the seventh.

Redshirt senior pitcher Kailyn Packard came into the circle in relief in the top of the seventh. In four batters faced, Packard threw three strikeouts while allowing a single hit into center field. With a walk off situation being UNI's only path to the championship game, the Panthers had a walk in their first two batters. But two hit strikes coming just shy of the outfield fence ended the game for UNI.

First baseman Daryn Lamprecht had her best game of the season at-bat for the Panthers. Lamprecht connected in two of her three at-bats along with making six putouts in the field. Shortstop Kylee Sanders also had a big game for UNI with two hits and two highlight-reel defensive plays for three putouts and four assists. Heyer continued her strong performances in the circle with six innings of work, throwing four strikeouts while allowing only a hit and a walk in 21 at-bats.

The Panthers end their season with a 39-12 overall record and a 26-1 record in Valley play. The 2023 UNI softball team also set 11 new program records in batting average (.323), slugging percentage (.572), on-base percentage (.420), runs scored (348), doubles (97), home runs (73), pitching strikeouts (439), fewest hits allowed (238), fewest errors (37), conference wins (26), and consecutive wins (18).