UNI softball wins final non-conference game against Iowa

Wednesday, May 3

Iowa City, IA

5 PM

University of Northern Iowa

30-23

University of Iowa

35-11

Northern Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes

UNI softball wins final non-conference game against Iowa

5/3/2023 8:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- In their final road game of the season, the Panthers picked up a big non-conference win against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

It only took a half-inning for UNI's offense to propel the Panthers to a 4-2 win in their last road game of the season. UNI connected on five hits in the top of the fourth to bring all four runs home. In the final two and a half innings, the Panther pitching staff shut down Iowa's offense to close out the game.

UNI had a slow start on Wednesday evening, not connecting on offense in the first three innings and two errors on defense. Playing from behind after the second inning, the Panthers put it together, not allowing a hit in the third inning. The fourth became a major turning point for UNI, changing the course of the game.

The Panthers led off the inning with their first hit of the night from shortstop Kylee Sanders. Sanders soon found herself at third after a groundout and another single from center fielder Madison Parks. UNI put runners in scoring position in their next at-bat as left fielder Mya Dodge made it to first, but Sanders was tagged out at home.

It was designated player Addison McElrath that became the hero for the Panthers, sending a two-RBI double into left-center to give UNI a 2-1 lead. The Panthers quickly followed with another double as second baseman Taylor Hogan hit one into center field, scoring McElrath. UNI's fourth and final run came only an at-bat later as third baseman Brooke Snider put a double down the right field line to score Hogan.

With a 4-1 lead after four, the Panther defense stood strong to keep the game close. The Hawkeyes added a second run in the bottom of the fourth on a pair of errors. But relief pitcher Anna Wischnowski kept her pitches low for UNI's defense to get an out at home, a popup, and the sophomore's only strikeout.

It was a quick fifth and sixth inning as both teams stranded a runner at first. The Panthers came close to adding another run in the top of the seventh after a leadoff single from Snider. Pinch runner Maggie Erpelding made her way home on a single from Sanders but didn't avoid the tag at home to end UNI's game on offense.

Iowa tried to threaten in the final half inning with an early walk and a single that put a runner on third base. With two outs on the board, Dodge grabbed a tough fly out in left to seal the win. The Panthers had two batters with multiple hits, Sanders and Sanders with two each. Parks, McElrath, and Hogan had UNI's three other hits for all seven. McElrath led the team in RBIs with two, while Hogan and Snider recorded an RBI.

The Panthers used three pitchers in the circle on Wednesday night, Samantha Heyer, Wischnowski, and Kailyn Packard. Heyer pitched the first two innings, throwing three strikeouts while allowing two hits and no earned runs. Wischnowski picked up her second win of the year in two innings of work for UNI, allowing two hits, no earned runs, and throwing one strikeout. Packard earned her second save of the year pitching the final three innings of the game. In three innings, Packard picked up three strikeouts and allowed no runs on three hits closing out the game.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers return home for their final weekend of the season and final Missouri Valley Conference series. UNI will welcome the Evansville Aces to Robinson-Dresser for the last weekend of the regular season. The first of three games is currently scheduled for Friday, May 5, at 5 p.m.