University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
25-15, 0
Southern Illinois
26-16, 0
Panthers softball splits doubleheader, take series over MVC-leading Salukis
4/19/2025 7:35:00 PM | Softball
UNI falls 12-6 in extra-innings in game one but bounces back in game two, 8-6.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI and Southern Illinois split Saturday's doubleheader in Cedar Falls, with the Panthers nearly pulling off a comeback in an extra-inning loss in Game 1 before bouncing back to win Game 2 and secure the series. UNI rallied late to force extras in the opener but fell 12–6 after a nine-run eighth inning by the Salukis. In the nightcap, the Panthers jumped out to an early lead and held off a late SIU push to win 8–6 behind a strong offensive performance from Kylee Sanders.
GAME ONE | SIU 12, UNI 6 (8)
UNI pushed conference-leading Southern Illinois to the brink in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader but ultimately fell 12-6 in extra innings after an eighth-inning surge by the Salukis.
Southern Illinois took early control with a three-run home run in the top of the first inning. The Panthers responded quickly in the bottom half, as Kylee Sanders delivered a solo shot - her fourth home run of the season - to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Both teams settled in from there, with strong pitching and defensive performances on both sides keeping the score unchanged through six innings. UNI's defense turned in a shutdown sixth inning, retiring the side in order to keep the Panthers within striking distance.
Down to their final three outs in the bottom of the seventh, UNI staged a dramatic comeback. Kate Lappe and Katelyn Callahan hit back-to-back home runs to even the score at 3-3 and force extra innings.
However, the Salukis responded in emphatic fashion in the top of the eighth, scoring nine runs to regain control. UNI added three runs in the bottom half - including an RBI single from Drew Hinrichs to score Katy Olive and a two-run homer by Lappe - but the deficit proved too large to overcome as SIU finished with the 12-6 victory in eight innings.
Kate Lappe led the Panthers in game one with three hits. Addison McElrath and Drew Hinrichs also recorded multi-hit performances with two hits apiece. Lappe finished with three RBIs. Carly Goodwin picked up her second loss of the season in a 7.2-inning start. The freshman punched out five batters.
GAME TWO | UNI 8, SIU 6
UNI bounced back in game two, building an early lead and fending off a late SIU rally to secure an 8-6 win and claim the series victory.
Sanders sparked the offense once again, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the first - her second of the day. Kate Lappe and Ella Smithson each added solo shots in the third to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead.
UNI poured on four more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Callahan, a sacrifice fly from Ava Smithson, and a two-run single from Sanders, who finished with four RBIs in the game and six in the doubleheader.
SIU rallied in the seventh with a grand slam to cut the lead to two, but the Panthers closed the door to secure the win.
Three Panthers recorded double-figure hits with two hits from Benesh, Sanders, and Ella Smithson in game two. Sanders led the Panthers with four RBIs. In the circle, Anna Wischnowski picked up her 15th victory of the season with 4.1 innings.
BY THE NUMBERS
Kate Lappe led the Panther offense with four hits and three runs in six at-bats on the day. Her three home runs saw four RBIs for a .667 batting average and a 2.167 slugging percentage in the doubleheader. Kylee Sanders also had a pair of home runs with five RBIs and a 1.286 slugging percentage while Ella Smithson and Katelyn Callahan rounded out the Panther home run hitters. The Panthers were perfect in the field with a 1.000 fielding percentage with no errors.
UP NEXT
UNI takes on Iowa State in a midweek contest on Tuesday for the Panthers' only non-conference game at Robinson-Dresser this season. First pitch on April 22 is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and 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: McKenzie Newcomb (16-5)
L: Goodwin, Carly (4-2)
Batting:
2B: Amanda Knutson 1
HR: Emily Williams 1 ; Addi Baker 1
RBI: Jackie Lis 2 ; Emily Williams 4 ; Addi Baker 3 ; Sage Grann 2 ; Amanda Knutson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Emma Austin 1 ; Jackie Lis 1 ; Anna Carder 2 ; Emily Williams 2 ; Charley Pursley 1 ; Addi Baker 2 ; Erin Lee 1 ; Sage Grann 1 ; Amanda Knutson 1
Batting:
2B: McElrath, Addison 1
HR: Sanders, Kylee 1 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; Callahan, Katelyn 1
RBI: Sanders, Kylee 1 ; Hinrichs, Drew 1 ; Lappe, Kate 3 ; Callahan, Katelyn 1
SH: Callahan, Katelyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sanders, Kylee 1 ; Olive, Katy 1 ; Hinrichs, Drew 1 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; Callahan, Katelyn 1
