University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Hinrichs, Lappe earn MVC weekly awards
4/21/2025 4:11:00 PM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI softball picked up a pair of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) weekly honors on Tuesday, as the league named infielder Kate Lappe the Player of the Week and catcher Drew Hinrichs the Freshman of the Week.
Lappe collects her second MVC weekly honor of the season following a dominant performance at the plate. The third baseman started all five games for the Panthers, who went 3-2 on the week, including a midweek split with Drake and a series win over MVC-leading Southern Illinois. Lappe posted a staggering .750 batting average and 1.813 slugging percentage, racking up 12 hits, eight runs, five home runs, and 12 RBIs in just 16 at-bats.
She led UNI's power surge with five of the team's 13 home runs during the week, including four homers in the three-game series against the Salukis, where she went 5-for-8 with a 2.125 slugging percentage. Lappe also drew four walks, remained perfect defensively with a 1.000 fielding percentage across seven putouts and 12 assists, and excelled in clutch moments, hitting .571 with runners in scoring position and .600 with two outs.
Hinrichs picks up her first career MVC honor after starting all five games behind the plate. The freshman hit .444 for the week, tallying eight hits, three runs, and four RBIs in 18 at-bats. She was also strong in key spots, going 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, April 22, hosting in-state rival Iowa State at 5 p.m. CT at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex.
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.
