UNI softball takes down MVC-leading Southern Illinois in series opener

Friday, March 29

Carbondale, Ill.

5 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

15-10, 0

Southern Illinois

23-6, 0

Northern Iowa

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

UNI softball takes down MVC-leading Southern Illinois in series opener

3/29/2024 8:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score FINAL RESULTS

Panthers secure 2-1 victory behind clutch performances from Alexis Pupillo, Anna Wischnowski

CARBONDALE, Illinois --- UNI softball picked up its second consecutive road victory on Friday night, downing Southern Illinois 2-1 in a crucial Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) matchup. A third-inning home run by Alexis Pupillo ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides, and Anna Wischnowski spun her fifth complete game of the season to secure the victory.

The Panthers handed the MVC-leading Salukis their first conference loss of the season. Additionally, the Panthers did something on Friday night that 15 other teams have been unable to do — tag Saluki freshman pitcher Maddia Groff with a loss. Groff entered Friday's contest with a perfect 15-0 record, touting the second-most pitching victories in all of collegiate softball, while also sporting a 0.44 ERA. That figure led the MVC and ranked second nationally.

UNI attacked Groff immediately, recording a first-inning run for the 11th time in 2024. Kate Lappe fired a two-out single up the middle to bring up Addison McElrath. McElrath slammed a double in the left center field gap, and Lappe scored from first to open the scoring.

After Anna Wischnowski worked a quick inning in the bottom of the first, the Salukis took advantage of unforced errors in the bottom of the second. SIU's first three batters of the inning reached base via error, and the Salukis opened the scoring with an RBI groundout by Jenna Christeson. Wischnowski continued escaping the jam from there, striking out Emma Austin and forcing a groundout by Elizabeth Warwick to end the inning.

A tense affair continued to see-saw in the top of the third inning. To lead off the frame, Pupillo slammed her team-high 10th home run of the season to put the Panthers back in front. UNI was unable to scratch any additional runs across in the inning, and the game settled into a pitcher's duel between Groff and Wischnowski.

Southern Illinois led off the bottom of the third with a runner at second base after an error by Pupillo, but Wischnowski forced a groundout and struck out back-to-back Salukis to close the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Kylee Sanders snagged a line drive and forced an inning-ending double play.

Wischnowski and Groff continued to dominate as the game progressed, and Pupillo's blast remained the difference between the sides entering the decisive seventh inning.

In the top of the inning, the Panthers came excruciatingly close to adding a crucial insurance run. A two-out single by Daryn Lamprecht put runners at second and first base, then Pupillo walked to load the bases. However, Groff got Madison Parks to fly out to end the inning and keep the Salukis' chances alive.

Southern Illinois led off the bottom of the inning with a single, but Wischnowski struck out the next two Southern Illinois batters and forced a flyout to end the game.

The victory marked Wischnowski's fifth career complete game, all of which have come in 2024, as well as her team-high eighth victory of the season. Wischnowski's nine strikeouts are also a career high.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Wischnowski continued her career year with another stellar outing on Friday night. Her nine strikeouts set a new career high, and Friday marked her fifth complete game of the season. Wischnowski's five complete games have all come in 2024.
Wischnowski has set a career high in victories, innings pitched and complete games through 13 appearances so far this season.
McElrath has recorded an RBI in consecutive games for the first time in 2024.
Pupillo hit her 10th home run of the 2024 season on Friday night and recorded her 26th RBI, both of which are team-high totals.
Parks, who entered Friday's game ranked first nationally with 1.21 walks per game, picked up one walk against the Salukis. She now has 30 walks for the 2024 season, and remains well within striking distance to crack UNI softball's single-season leaderboard for most walks recorded.
Lappe has 22 hits in 2024, which is tied with Pupillo for the team lead.

UP NEXT

The Panthers continue their series against Southern Illinois at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats will be available.