University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Kate Lappe named D1Softball.com Player of the Week
4/22/2025 11:27:00 AM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — After an explosive week at the plate, UNI third baseman Kate Lappe has earned national recognition as the D1Softball.com Player of the Week - the first in program history to receive the weekly honor.
Lappe's latest accolade adds to an already impressive stretch, as she also earned her second Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Week award of the season on Monday. Her red-hot performance at the plate fueled UNI to a 3-2 record, which included a midweek split with Drake and a key series victory over MVC frontrunner Southern Illinois.
Over five starts, Lappe was nearly unstoppable, hitting .750 with a slugging percentage of 1.813. She totaled 12 hits, eight runs scored, and drove in 12 RBIs, thanks in part to five home runs - four of which came during the Panthers' three-game showdown with the Salukis. She went 5-for-8 in that series alone, slugging an eye-popping 2.125.
Lappe also showed great discipline and defensive sharpness, drawing four walks while remaining flawless in the field with seven putouts and 12 assists. In pressure situations, she delivered again and again, batting .571 with runners in scoring position and .600 with two outs.
She became the first UNI player to ever be recognized with a national weekly honor from D1Softball.com - a milestone moment for both Lappe and the Panther softball program.
The Panthers are back in action on Tuesday, April 22, welcoming in-state rival Iowa State to Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT.
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.
