UNI softball: Heyer fans a dozen in 5-0 shutout at Valparaiso

Friday, May 3

Valparaiso, Ind.

3 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

30-15, 17-5

Valparaiso

8-38, 2-19

UNI

Valparaiso

Photo by: AJ Stevens

UNI softball: Heyer fans a dozen in 5-0 shutout at Valparaiso

5/3/2024 5:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score FINAL RESULTS Photo Gallery

Parks sets new single-season walks record as Panthers blank Beacons in series opener. Game two scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.

VALPARAISO, Ind. --- Samantha Heyer sent a dozen batters packing while Madison Parks set a new single-season school record as UNI softball shut out the Valparaiso Beacons by a 5-0 score to open the final weekend of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play on Friday afternoon.

The reigning MVC Pitcher of the Week gave up just one hit with the Panther defense stranding six Beacons on base with none advancing past second base in UNI's MVC-best eleventh consecutive win. Parks drew three walks to become the program's new single-season walks leader, while Taylor Hogan anchored the Northern Iowa offense with three hits in four plate appearances, driving in three of the Panthers' five runs.

After not capitalizing off a lead-off walk by Parks in the first inning, UNI took advantage off Kylee Sanders' lead-off walk in the top of the second as Daryn Lamprecht drove in Ava Smithson after consecutive fielder's choices for a 1-0 Panther lead. In the pitching circle, Heyer tore through the Beacon lineup with five strikeouts in the first two innings, including three in a row.

Heyer's command and control carried into the fourth frame as she increased her strikeout total to eight as the UNI offense set the table in the top of the fifth. Kate Lappe followed a one-out fielder's choice by Alexis Pupillo with a double to right-center field, with Addison McElrath loading the bases on a walk. After Pupillo was tagged out at home on a fielder's choice by Sanders, Hogan ripped an infield single to third base, scoring Lappe and McElrath to extend the UNI lead to 3-0.

With Heyer continuing to dominate in the circle with nine punch outs through five innings, Northern Iowa capped the afternoon off with two additional insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Lappe reached base to lead off the Panthers' final frame after a dropped third strike as Faith Standerski and Sanders both recorded fielder's choices with Standerski being tagged out during Sanders' at bat. Hogan would rip a double into left-center field to score the pinch runner in Makenna Kuper, while Sammy Moss grounded out to second to bring home Sanders, stretching UNI's lead to 5-0 in time for the Panther defense to slam the door on Valparaiso in the bottom of the inning.

UNI improves to 30-15 and 17-5 in MVC play with the win, while the Beacons fall to 8-38 and 2-19 in league action.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Friday's win was UNI's 14th in a row over Valparaiso since 2018, improving to 21-1 all-time against the Beacons.
UNI has now won 30 or more games for a program record fourth consecutive season, ninth time under head coach Ryan Jacobs and 18th time in program history after Friday's victory.
Northern Iowa drew eight walks from Beacons starting pitcher Anna Wilming, tied for most by the Panthers in a game in league play this season.
Samantha Heyer picked up her 16th win of the win after a dominant complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts and just four hits allowed. Heyer has now struck out ten or more batters in seven games this season.
Madison Parks set a new single-season program record for walks after drawing three bases on balls for the third time this season on Friday. With 47 walks on the year, Parks passed Kennedy Bailey's 2016 record of 44 walks.
Parks also tied Alexis Pupillo for the team lead with her 11th and 12th stolen bases of the year. Parks ranks third in program history with 53 career stolen bases following today's win.
Daryn Lamprecht extended her hitting streak to seven games after her RBI single in the second inning.
Taylor Hogan batted in three runs against the Beacons, her fifth game this year with multiple RBIs. Hogan now has 21 runs batted in on the season.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will continue their three-game series with the Beacons on Saturday afternoon with game two of the series at 2 p.m. CT. Live coverage from the Valpo Softball Complex can be found on ESPN+.