Pupillo powers Panther softball to 9-8 win over Longwood

Friday, February 23

Auburn, Ala.

10 a.m.

University of Northern Iowa

4-2

Longwood

3-9

UNI

Longwood

Pupillo powers Panther softball to 9-8 win over Longwood

2/23/2024 3:20:00 PM | Softball

Box Score FINAL RESULTS

UNI withstands late Lancer rally in first game of Auburn Plainsman Invite

AUBURN, Alabama --- UNI softball picked up its second consecutive victory on Friday morning, withstanding a late Longwood rally to win 9-8 in the opening game of the Auburn Plainsman Invite. The Panthers were led by Alexis Pupillo, who had a career-high 8 RBIs as UNI recorded its highest run total of the 2024 season.

Pupillo hit two key home runs against the Lancers, including a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning that ultimately stood as the game-winning hit. Anna Wischnowski secured the win in the circle for UNI, starting and pitching a career-high 6.2 innings in the victory.

After a scoreless first inning, the Panthers struck first in the top of the second. Taylor Hogan led off the inning with a single, but two UNI outs sandwiched a Savanna Jemilo walk to bring up Kylee Sanders. She, too, walked, which loaded the bases for Pupillo.

Pupillo kicked off her monster afternoon with a bases-clearing double that gave the Panthers a 3-0 advantage. Longwood's Sophia Knock, who traded big hits with Pupillo all morning, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to cut the Panthers' lead to 3-1.

Knock's home run marked the first earned run allowed by UNI starting pitching in 2024. The Lancers found more success against Wischnowski in the bottom of the third inning. After Wischnowski retired the first batter of the inning, Longwood strung together back-to-back hits that included an RBI triple from Emily Vinson.

Wischnowski retired the next batter of the frame, then Knock hit her second home run of the contest to put the Lancers ahead 4-3.

It did not take the Panthers long to respond. In the top of the fourth inning, Sanders hit a one-out triple to right center field. Pupillo stepped in next and promptly blasted a two-run home run to put UNI back in front. Pupillo's blast gave her career-high fifth RBI in a single game and also chased Longwood starting pitcher Maggie Chapin from the contest.

After Wischnowski worked around a one-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning, Pupillo continued her career day in the top of the fifth. To kick things off, Daryn Lamprecht delivered a one-out RBI single to right field that scored pinch runner Maggie Erpelding and put the Panthers up 6-4.

With two outs and two runners on, Pupillo smashed her second home run of the contest, this time to left center field. The three-run blast gave the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year eight RBIs for the game and put the Panthers up 9-4.

Wischnowski went through the fifth inning unscathed, and Longwood tacked on an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Panther lead to four runs.

Kara Maiers entered the game for Wischnowski in the bottom of the seventh inning after the Panthers were unable to push any more runs across. The Lancers did rally late as Knock hit a three-run home run to cut the lead to 9-8, which prompted Wischnowski to reenter the game in the circle.

Inheriting a runner at first base in a one-run contest, Wischnowski slammed the door on the Lancer offense to secure the one-run victory. The victory improves the Panthers to 5-2 in 2024.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Pupillo's eight-RBI effort against Longwood marked the most RBIs she has recorded in a single game in her Panther career. Prior to Friday, her previous single game career high was four RBIs.
As of Friday morning, Pupillo's eight-RBI performance is tied for the third-highest single game RBI total in Division I college softball so far this season.
Friday's game against Longwood marked the fourth multi-home run game of Pupillo's collegiate career. It also marked her fourth home run of the 2024 season.
Wischnowski picked up her third win of the season on Friday against Longwood and pitched a career-high 6.2 innings.
Makenna Kuper made her first start at the collegiate level against the Lancers. She made three plate appearances in Friday's game.
Sammy Moss picked up her first hit of the 2024 season with a two-out single in the top of the sixth.
Lamprecht picked up her first RBI of the 2024 season with her single to right field that gave UNI a 6-4 lead in the fifth inning.
The Panthers scored a season-high nine runs against Longwood.
Friday's contest marked the first-ever meeting between the Panthers and Lancers.

UP NEXT

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Longwood withdrew from the Auburn Plainsman Invite immediately following its game against UNI. As a result, the Panthers' remaining schedule for the event has been updated.

Feb. 24 | Southeast Missouri State | 10 a.m.
Feb. 24 | at #24 Auburn | 1 p.m.
Feb. 25 | Southeast Missouri State | 11 a.m.
Feb. 25 | at #24 Auburn | 2 p.m.

The Panthers' game on Saturday afternoon against No. 24 Auburn will still be broadcast on SEC Network+, and live stats will be available for the rest of the weekend.