University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Iowa State
UNI Softball hosts Iowa State to cap off a nine-game home stand
4/21/2025 6:51:00 PM | Softball
UNI softball (26-15 / 14-7 MVC) vs. Iowa State (23-19 / 11-7 Big 12)
- Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex | Cedar Falls, Iowa
- April 22 | 5 p.m. CT
- ESPN+
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI Panthers close out their nine-game home stand on Tuesday with an in-state showdown against Iowa State. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex as the Panthers look to carry momentum from a statement weekend into their 90th all-time meeting with the Cyclones.
UNI is coming off a thrilling series win over MVC-leading Southern Illinois, taking two of three games in dramatic fashion. The Panthers slugged their way to a series victory, highlighted by a walk-off homer from Kate Lappe in game one and a resilient 8-6 win in the rubber match. UNI mashed 10 home runs across the three-game stretch, showcasing the power that has placed them among the top teams nationally in long balls.
Lappe was electric at the plate, earning her second MVC Player of the Week honor after batting .625 with four home runs and a staggering 2.125 slugging percentage. She leads the Valley in nearly every major offensive category, including batting average (.436), slugging (.889), and on-base percentage (.544), and is making a serious push toward the UNI single-season home run record.
She wasn't alone, as Katelyn Callahan and Kylee Sanders also had monster weekends at the dish. Callahan launched two homers and slugged 1.250, while Sanders continued her stellar season with four hits, two home runs, and a 1.100 slugging percentage. Sanders also leads the Valley in runs per game, doubles, hits, and assists, ranking in the top 15 nationally in several categories.
In the circle, Anna Wischnowski picked up both wins, allowing just three hits over 5.2 innings of work with a 1.59 ERA. The redshirt junior has provided valuable stability for a UNI pitching staff looking to peak down the stretch.
Freshman Skylar Benesh continues to make her mark, pacing the MVC with 20 stolen bases. She's just four swipes away from tying the school record of 24 set by Kristi Johnson in 2001.
As a team, the Panthers lead the MVC in 13 statistical categories, including home runs (65), slugging percentage (.510), on-base percentage (.400), and stolen bases (88). Nationally, UNI ranks ninth in walks drawn, 11th in home runs per game, and 13th in stolen bases per game. The Panthers are closing in on school records in both home runs (73) and stolen bases (90), both set in 2023.
Tuesday's matchup marks the 90th meeting between UNI and Iowa State, with the Cyclones holding a 49-39-1 edge. The Panthers will be hunting for their first win over ISU since 2022 after dropping last year's contest 8-3 in Ames.
With head coach Ryan Jacobs recently becoming the winningest coach in program history and still climbing the MVC record books, the Panthers are locked in as the season barrels toward its final stretch. A win Tuesday would be a fitting cap to a dominant home stand and another step forward in a season full of firepower, speed, and grit.
Â
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.
