Panther softball closes door on Drake late in 7-5 home win

Wednesday, April 17

Cedar Falls, Iowa

5 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

21-15, 0

Drake

18-19, 0

Drake

Northern Iowa

UNI softball vs. Missouri State | Apr. 5-6, 2024 (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

Photo by: Ellie Marmie

Panther softball closes door on Drake late in 7-5 home win

4/17/2024 8:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

UNI beats Drake for 11th consecutive game. Panthers host UIC in three-game series beginning Friday afternoon.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- A steady offensive output in the first four innings of play and three Panther home runs helped lift UNI softball to a 7-5 win over the Drake Bulldogs in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play on Wednesday afternoon at the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex.

Scoring two runs in the second, third and fourth innings, the Panthers held the Bulldogs bats at bay and preserved a two-run lead in the final two frames to secure the regular season series against their in-state rivals. UNI has now won 11 consecutive games against Drake dating back to the 2021 season.

Drake would crack the scoreboard first on the afternoon as Carey Koening singled to lead off the game before being brought home on a two-out RBI single by Skylar Rigby for the 1-0 Bulldog lead. The Panthers would answer in kind in the bottom of the first inning with a lead-off single to left-field by Madison Parks, followed up by an RBI double to right by Alexis Pupillo.

UNI starting pitcher Anna Wischnowski made quick work of the Drake lineup in the second inning, retiring the side on just seven pitches. Ava Smithson and Taylor Hogan would set up Northern Iowa in its half of the second with back-to-back singles to open the bottom of the second, setting up an RBI opportunity for Daryn Lamprecht, reaching second base on a fielding error by the Bulldogs to take a 2-1 advantage. Parks would make the most of her second plate appearance by driving in Lamprecht with an RBI single to shallow center field to take a 3-1 lead.

After Wischnowski set down the Bulldogs in order for a second straight inning, the Panthers would tack on another pair of runs with Kate Lappe singling to set up Addison McElrath's two-run home run to right-field, extending the UNI lead to 5-1. Drake responded in the top of the fourth inning with Emma Dighton and Rigby recording consecutive hits to set up an RBI single by Makayla Rice to score Dighton. Consecutive fielder's choice would get two outs on the board, but would give up a run as Rigby scored on a Addie Lighter ground ball to short and flip to second base, cutting UNI's lead to 5-3. Northern Iowa struck back in the bottom of fourth with a pair of solo home runs by Lamprecht and Pupillo, giving the Panthers a 7-3 cushion.

Drake's offense continued to chip away in the fifth inning as Frankie Rita led off with a single, setting up a two-run home run by Dighton to center field. Samatha Heyer entered the game to pitch in the top of the sixth and shut down the Bulldogs in a hurry with three straight strikeouts. After being unable to score any insurance runs in the sixth, UNI's defense was able to hold off Drake in the seventh despite consecutive walks by Destiny Lewis and Rita. A pair of pop ups and a strikeout looking would seal the game for the Panthers and the two-run victory.

Northern Iowa improves to 21-15 on the season and 9-5 in league play. The Panthers and Bulldogs will wrap their regular season series up next Tuesday at Buel Field in Des Moines.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The Panthers improve to 82-57 all-time against Drake following Wednesday's win.
Starting pitcher Anna Wischnowski improves to 10-6 on the season in five innings of work, allowing five earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
Samantha Heyer picked up her first save of the year and fifth of her career on Wednesday. Heyer struck out four batters and allowed no hits in the final two innings of the game.
Addison McElrath's third inning home run was her fourth of the season and 25th of her collegiate career. She also recorded her 20th and 21st RBIs of the year.
Daryn Lamprecht's fourth inning home run was her 14th long ball of the year and 29th as a Panther. Lamprecht has now driven in 12 runs this season.
Alexis Pupillo's fourth inning home run was her 14th of the season and 31st of their collegiate career. She also drove in her 37th RBI of the year to extend her MVC-leading totals in both categories.

UP NEXT
UNI returns to action on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. CT as they open a three-game home series against the UIC Flames. Live coverage from the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex can be found on ESPN+.