University of Northern Iowa
24-14, 0
Drake
18-24, 0
Panther softball rally falls just short in a 12–11 shootout loss to Drake
4/16/2025 7:47:00 PM | Softball
UNI softball drops game three to Drake, 12-11
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI softball team came up just short in a hard-fought 12–11 loss to Drake on Wednesday evening at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex. After falling behind early, the Panthers mounted a significant comeback to tie the game in the fourth inning and narrowed the deficit to one run in the seventh, but were ultimately unable to overcome the Bulldogs' offensive surge.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Drake jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first inning, including a two-run home run. UNI answered in the bottom half with an RBI single from Kate Lappe, scoring Kylee Sanders to keep pace early.
The Bulldogs extended their lead with three-run innings in both the third and fourth, stretching the margin to 9–1 before the Panthers came alive. UNI exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth to even the score at 9–9. The rally featured an RBI single from Skylar Benesh, a bases-loaded walk by Sanders, an RBI single from Addison McElrath, a two-run double from Drew Hinrichs, and a three-run home run from Lappe to tie the game.
Drake responded with three more runs in the fifth to take a 12–9 lead. UNI kept battling, as McElrath drove in Benesh with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning to pull within two.
After a shutdown inning in the sixth, UNI's defense came through again in the top of the seventh, turning a crucial double play and recording a third out after Drake put two runners on to start the frame.
In the bottom of the seventh, Hinrichs came through with a clutch RBI to score a run and make it a one-run game, but the Panthers couldn't push across the equalizer, falling just short in a 12–11 heartbreaker.
BY THE NUMBERS
Kate Lappe led the Panthers at the plate with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, driving in four runs. Skylar Benesh and Addison McElrath each tallied three hits, while Drew Hinrichs added a pair of hits to round out UNI's balanced offensive effort.
UP NEXT
The UNI Panther softball team continues its home stand at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex this weekend for a pivotal Missouri Valley Conference showdown against the league-leading Southern Illinois Salukis. The three-game series kicks off Friday, April 18 at 5 p.m. CT, with games continuing through the weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Games will be available to stream on ESPN+.
UNI softball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Softball), X (@UNISoftball), and on Instagram (@unisoftball). The 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Paige Bedswo (7-1)
L: Vertz, Morgan (7-4)
Batting:
2B: Emma Dighton 1 ; Sami Miller 2 ; Tatum Aragon 1 ; Heidi Wheele 1 ; Sam Tourtill 1
HR: Sami Miller 1 ; Frankie Rita 1
RBI: Ava Curry 1 ; Emma Dighton 1 ; Sami Miller 3 ; Tatum Aragon 3 ; Frankie Rita 2 ; Sam Tourtill 1 ; Logan Kelley 1
SF: Logan Kelley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ava Curry 2 ; Emma Dighton 2 ; Sami Miller 3 ; Tatum Aragon 1 ; Frankie Rita 1 ; Heidi Wheele 1 ; Carey Koenig 1 ; Sam Tourtill 1
CS: Heidi Wheele 1
Batting:
2B: McElrath, Addison 1 ; Hinrichs, Drew 1
HR: Lappe, Kate 1
RBI: Benesh, Skylar 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1 ; McElrath, Addison 2 ; Hinrichs, Drew 3 ; Lappe, Kate 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Benesh, Skylar 2 ; Sanders, Kylee 3 ; Kuper, Makenna 1 ; Hinrichs, Drew 1 ; Lappe, Kate 1 ; Smithson, Ella 1 ; Smithson, Ava 1 ; Peterson, Paige 1
SB: Benesh, Skylar 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1
