University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Iowa
Panthers close out non-conference slate with a road matchup at Iowa
4/29/2025 9:46:00 AM | Softball
UNI softball (28-17 / 16-8 MVC) at Iowa (31-17 / 12-7 Big Ten)
- Bob Pearl Field | Iowa City, Iowa
- April 30 | 5:30 p.m. CT
- ESPN+
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Panther softball will hit the road one final time in the 2025 regular season, closing out non-conference play with a midweek in-state showdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Wednesday evening at Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City. The contest marks the 60th all-time meeting between the Panthers and the Hawkeyes, with Iowa holding a narrow 32-27 edge in the series. UNI, however, has claimed the last two meetings, including a 6-5 home win last season and a 4-2 victory in their last trip to Iowa City in 2023.
UNI enters the matchup on the heels of a 2-1 Missouri Valley Conference series win over Illinois State. The Panthers secured high-scoring victories in the first two games, winning 9-8 and 12-4 (6 innings), before dropping a tightly contested finale, 5-4. Junior Kate Lappe powered UNI's offense over the weekend, posting a .500 batting average and a 1.100 slugging percentage. Lappe recorded five hits, two home runs, five RBIs, and 11 total bases, continuing a standout season where she leads the MVC in multiple offensive categories, including a .431 batting average, 16 home runs, and a .885 slugging percentage - the latter ranking 18th nationally.
The Panther bats were hot across the lineup, with four additional hitters recording averages north of .400 against the Redbirds: Katelyn Callahan (.455), Ava Smithson (.444), Addison McElrath (.429), and Kylee Sanders (.400). McElrath also slugged 1.000 on the weekend with a home run and a double.
In the circle, Morgan Vertz and Carly Goodwin each picked up wins for UNI. Vertz logged 8.1 innings and finished 1-1 on the weekend, while Goodwin earned a complete-game win in her lone start, tossing 6.1 innings.
Under the leadership of head coach Ryan Jacobs, who became UNI's all-time winningest coach earlier this season and notched his 500th career win in March, the Panthers have built a reputation as one of the MVC's most potent and aggressive squads. As of April 27, UNI led the Valley in 13 statistical categories, including home runs (69), RBIs (271), slugging percentage (.508), stolen bases (90), and on-base percentage (.403). Nationally, UNI ranks top 20 in five key categories, with their 222 walks sitting sixth in the nation and their 1.53 home runs per game ranking 10th.
Individually, Kylee Sanders has been a dual threat defensively and offensively. The shortstop ranks third nationally with 2.80 assists per game, leads the MVC in total hits (61), and is second in batting average (.424). Freshman Skylar Benesh has also made her mark on the base path, leading the MVC with 20 stolen bases - just four shy of UNI's single-season record.
Wednesday's game will serve as UNI's final tune-up before closing the regular season with a three-game MVC series at home against Valparaiso. With a .622 winning percentage and a shot at their sixth consecutive season of .500 or better in Valley play (excluding the shortened 2020 season), the Panthers continue to chase both history and momentum heading into the postseason.
First pitch from Iowa City is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT with the matchup streaming on B1G+.
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.
