UNI softball records back-to-back shutouts on opening day

Friday, February 9

Cedar Falls, Iowa

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-0

Western Illinois

0-1

Western Illinois

Northern Iowa

UNI softball at 2024 Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic | Feb. 9-11, 2024 (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

UNI softball records back-to-back shutouts on opening day

2/9/2024 7:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 FINAL RESULTS (Western Illinois)FINAL RESULTS (Butler)Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

Panthers down Western Illinois, Butler, start season 2-0 for first time since 2018

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI softball started its 2024 campaign on a strong note, recording a pair of shutout victories to open the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. The Panthers beat Western Illinois 6-0 and followed that with a 1-0 victory over Butler.

Panther pitching was the story of Friday's action, as UNI's pitching staff limited the Leathernecks and Bulldogs to just six combined hits across both contests. Anna Wischnowski paved the way with a career-best start against Western Illinois, and Samantha Heyer effectively silenced Butler with a complete game shutout.

That stellar pitching combined with timely offense helped the Panthers secure their first 2-0 start since 2018.

Game 1 | UNI 6 - WIU 0

The Panthers started the 2024 season slow offensively, but Wischnowski's stellar effort in the circle afforded UNI plenty of time to get going. The redshirt sophomore had perhaps the best performance of her collegiate career against the Leathernecks, recording a career-high eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched, which also marked a career high.

Wischnowski effectively carved through the Leatherneck offense, including a brief jam in the top of the fourth inning, before UNI broke the game open with an impressive two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Reigning Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Freshman of the Year Alexis Pupillo kicked things off with a single up the middle, then stole second base before Madison Parks ultimately drew a walk. Addison McElrath then poked a single through the middle that scored Pupillo, which brought Kate Lappe to the plate.

Lappe provided the dagger, smashing an opposite-field home run into the bleachers to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead. The blast marked the first home run of Lappe's collegiate career and provided more-than enough insurance for UNI entering the final few innings.

Wischnowski exited the game with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, and Kara Maiers entered the game from the bullpen to make her UNI debut. Maiers forced a flyout to end a threatening Leatherneck half of the sixth inning, then UNI tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the frame with RBIs from Pupillo and Parks.

Maiers recorded two strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning as the Panthers secured the six-run victory.

Game 2 | UNI 1 - Butler 0

Heyer received the start in the Panthers' second game of the afternoon, which took place 20 minutes after the victory over Western Illinois. After Heyer worked around a leadoff single to open the game, the Panthers broke through for what would be the game's only run in the bottom of the first inning.

Kylee Sanders led off the home half of the inning with a single up the middle, but she was forced out at first base after Pupillo lined into a double play. Parks then walked and McElrath singled, putting two runners on base for Lappe.

The sophomore delivered another two-out hit, lacing a ground rule double that scored Parks. From there, the reigning MVC Pitcher of the Year did enough to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

Butler did have chances as the game went along, though. In the top of the fifth inning, Lappe made a key play at third base to help maintain the Panthers' lead. Butler's Leigh Vande Hei fired a line drive that Lappe snagged from a knee, then fired across the diamond to pick off Kaylee Gross at first base to complete the double play.

In the top of the sixth inning, Butler's leadoff hitter reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With a runner at second and one out, Ella White hammered an offering from Heyer to deep center field, but Parks was able to run the ball down to preserve UNI's lead.

Heyer worked out of yet another jam in the seventh inning after allowing a single and hitting a batter with one out. She struck out Butler's Teagan O'Rilley before Vande Hei was ruled out on batter's interference to end the game.

The complete game marked the 22nd of Heyer's career.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Friday's victories marked the first time the Panthers have started a season 2-0 since 2018. That team started the season 4-0 in the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic before dropping the final game of the weekend against Kansas City.
Paige Peterson made her collegiate debut on Friday, starting both games for the Panthers in left field. She recorded her first collegiate hit in her first collegiate at-bat, lacing a double to center field in the bottom of the third inning.
Maiers, too, made her Panther debut on Friday. The Kirkwood Community College transfer recorded two strikeouts, her first at the Division I level, and allowed one hit in 1.1 innings of relief. Maiers was the lone member of UNI's bullpen that featured on Friday.
Wischnowski set personal bests in strikeouts (eight) and innings pitched (5.2) against Western Illinois.
Savanna Jemilo earned her first collegiate at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Leathernecks.
Not only did Lappe record her first career home run in the Panthers' season-opening win against Western Illinois, she also matched her RBI total from the entirety of 2023 (three) with one swing.
Lappe now has a career-high four RBIs through two games.
The Panthers have not recorded consecutive shutouts to begin a season since 2002. That team shut out its first three opponents before allowing its first run in the fourth game of the regular season.

UP NEXT

The Panthers return to action on Saturday night to wrap up day two of the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. UNI faces Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. and closes the day with a game against Omaha immediately after.

Saturday's games will not be broadcast, but live stats will be available. ESPN+ broadcasts will return on Sunday.