University of Northern Iowa
27-16, 15-7
Illinois State
19-27, 12-9
Panther softball takes game one in Normal
4/25/2025 9:02:00 PM | Softball
UNI softball rallies to take series-opener over Illinois State, 9-8
NORMAL, Ill. — UNI softball opened their three-game Missouri Valley Conference series against Illinois State with a thrilling 9-8 victory Friday evening at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium in Normal, Illinois. UNI jumped out to a quick lead before Illinois State stormed back to take a lead which forced another Panther comeback.?
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNI jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Skylar Benesh and a two-run single by Ava Smithson. Illinois State responded with four runs in the third to take a 4-3 lead. Addison McElrath tied the game at 4-4 with a solo home run to right field - her 12th of the season.?
After a Redbird run in the bottom of the fourth inning, Benesh continued her strong performance with a two-run homer in the fifth, scoring Paige Peterson to give UNI a 6-5 advantage. The Redbirds answered with three runs in the bottom half to reclaim the lead at 8-6.?
In the sixth, Kate Lappe led off with a solo home run, followed by a sacrifice fly from Benesh to score Ella Smithson, and an RBI single by Kylee Sanders to bring in Ava Smithson, putting UNI ahead 9-8. The Panthers' defense held strong, retiring Illinois State in order in the sixth and holding off the Redbirds in the seventh to secure the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Six Panthers recorded multi-hit performances including Kylee Sanders, Addison McElrath, Kate Lappe, Katelyn Callahan, Ella Smithson, and Ava Smithson. Benesh led the Panthers with four RBIs with one of three Panther home runs. McElrath and Lappe had the other two long balls. Morgan Vertz picked up her eighth victory of the season after four innings in the circle.
UP NEXT
The UNI Panthers will look to clinch the series against the Illinois State Redbirds in game two on Saturday, April 26. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium in Normal, Illinois. Fans can catch all the action live 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: Vertz, Morgan (8-5)
L: Meeks, Hannah (6-6)
Batting:
2B: McElrath, Addison 1 ; Smithson, Ella 1 ; Peterson, Paige 1
HR: Benesh, Skylar 1 ; McElrath, Addison 1 ; Lappe, Kate 1
RBI: Benesh, Skylar 4 ; Sanders, Kylee 1 ; McElrath, Addison 1 ; Lappe, Kate 1 ; Smithson, Ava 2
SF: Benesh, Skylar 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Benesh, Skylar 1 ; McElrath, Addison 2 ; Lappe, Kate 1 ; Kuper, Makenna 1 ; Callahan, Katelyn 1 ; Smithson, Ella 1 ; Smithson, Ava 1 ; Peterson, Paige 1
SB: Sanders, Kylee 1
CS: Benesh, Skylar 1
Batting:
2B: Bryant, Delainey 1 ; Hopkins, Adisyn 1 ; Wilkerson, Bella 1
RBI: Masching, Addison 1 ; Wolford, Tatum 1 ; Hopkins, Adisyn 2 ; Boyer, Ella 2 ; Wilkerson, Bella 2
SH: Atkinson, Bella 1
SF: Boyer, Ella 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bryant, Delainey 2 ; Masching, Addison 1 ; Wolford, Tatum 1 ; Larson, Julia 2 ; Hopkins, Adisyn 1 ; Boyer, Ella 1
