University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Valparaiso
Panthers close regular season against Valparaiso
5/1/2025 1:23:00 PM | Softball
UNI softball (28-17 / 16-8 MVC) vs. Valparaiso (20-26 / 9-14 MVC)
- Robinson-Dresser Sports complex | Cedar Falls, Iowa
- May 2 | 5 p.m. CT
- May 3 | 2 p.m. CT
- May 4 | 12 p.m. CT
- ESPN+
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Panther softball closes the regular season with a home series against the Valparaiso Beacons. The Panthers and the Beacons have met on 23 previous occasions with UNI holding a commanding 21-2 record in the all-time series. The last time these teams met, UNI took home a 2-1 series victory at Valparaiso last season. UNI took home game one with a 5-0 score before the Beacons bounced back with a 5-4 victory in game two. The Panthers were victorious in game three with a 4-2 final to clinch the series.
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.
First pitch in game one from Cedar Falls is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Friday with the matchup streaming on ESPN+.
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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.
