Lamprecht, Wischnowski lead Panther softball to 3-2 victory against South Alabama

Friday, March 1

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

5:30 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

9-4

South Alabama

10-5

South Alabama

UNI

Lamprecht, Wischnowski lead Panther softball to 3-2 victory against South Alabama

3/1/2024 8:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Panthers close T-Mobile Crimson Classic with two games on Saturday

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama --- UNI softball recorded just two hits on Friday night, but those hits were enough to deliver the Panthers a 3-2 victory over South Alabama on Friday night. A complete game from Anna Wischnowski helped ensure that Daryn Lamprecht's three-run home run in the bottom of the second would stand as the game-winning blast.

It was a unique day for the Panthers, who were originally slated to play both South Alabama and No. 21 Arizona on day two of the T-Mobile Crimson Classic. However, due to inclement weather in Tuscaloosa, Friday's schedule was adjusted so that the Panthers only played the Jaguars.

The Jaguars threatened first in Friday's contest, with hits in the first two innings against Wischnowski. South Alabama was unable to convert those hits into runs, though, as Wischnowski quickly ended the inning in both instances.

In the bottom of the second, the Panthers got to Jaguar starting pitcher Olivia Lackie. Kate Lappe led the inning off with a walk, then Savanna Jemilo drew a walk after a Taylor Hogan flyout. Lamprecht stepped to the plate with two outs in the inning and took a full count offering from Lackie over the fence for a three-run blast. The home run marked Lamprecht's first of the 2024 season and snapped a 15-inning scoreless streak for UNI.

South Alabama immediately responded, as Gabby Stagner and Olivia Branstetter recorded RBI hits in the top of the third to cut the Panthers' lead to 3-2. Branstetter recorded an RBI triple with two outs in the frame, but Wischnowski snagged a line drive from Stephanie Gonzalez to end the inning.

The Jaguars looked to threaten in the top of the fifth after their leadoff batter reached second base following an error, but Wischnowski forced three quick outs to maintain UNI's one-run advantage.

UNI had a chance to extend its lead in the bottom of the inning after loading the bases with one out. After Lackie got the first batter of the inning out, three consecutive UNI batters reached base. With runners at second and first with one out, Addison McElrath capped that stretch with a single to left field.

However, Lackie buckled in and retired Lappe and Hogan to end the Panthers' scoring chance.

Both pitchers worked an efficient sixth inning, which set up the decisive seventh inning. The first Jaguar batter of the frame reached on an error, then Wischnowski forced a critical double play to bring South Alabama down to its final out.

Wischnowski secured her second complete game at the collegiate level with a groundout to end the contest, earning her fifth win of the 2024 season in the process.

The win improved the Panthers to 9-4 on the season.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Wischnowski is enjoying a breakout season in 2024, as the redshirt sophomore pitcher has passed several individual milestones with a majority of the season still to play. Against South Alabama, Wischnowski bumped her innings total to a career-high 37.0.
Wischnowski recorded her career-high fifth victory and the second complete game of her collegiate career on Friday night. Last season, Wischnowski compiled a 3-2 record in 34.1 innings pitched.
Friday marked Wischnowski's fifth start of the 2024 season, which is also a career high.
Lamprecht recorded her first home run of the 2024 season on Friday night. She also bumped her RBI total to four, after having just one RBI entering Friday night's game.
The Panthers drew five walks on Friday night, four of which were from Parks and Jemilo.
Parks recorded her team-high sixth steal against the Jaguars.

UP NEXT

The Panthers round out the T-Mobile Crimson Classic with two games on Saturday. UNI faces South Alabama at 10:30 a.m. then, at 6 p.m., faces No. 21 Arizona for the first time this weekend.