Panther softball ends MVC Tournament run in the semifinals

Friday, May 9

Des Moines, Iowa

4 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

32-18

Belmont

39-14

Northern Iowa

Belmont

Panther softball ends MVC Tournament run in the semifinals

5/9/2025 7:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

UNI drops semifinal matchup to Belmont, 7-5.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The UNI softball team concluded play in the 2025 MVC Softball Tournament with a semifinal matchup against the no. 2-seed Belmont Bruins. Belmont jumped out to a lead early and the Panthers weren't able to claw back as the Bruins advanced to the Championship matchup with a 7-5 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Addison McElrath got things rolling for the Panthers in the top of the first inning with a two-out home run to left field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. UNI sat down the Bruins in order in the bottom of the first inning. The Bruins started to gain momentum through the next two innings with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second and three in the bottom of the third to take a 5-1 lead.

McElrath launched her second home run of the contest just inside the right foul pole with Kylee Sanders on base to cut the Belmont lead to two. The Bruins added a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead back to four runs at 7-3 after five full innings.

A home run from Drew Hinrichs in the top of the sixth inning, her seventh of the season, put the Panthers back within two after five and a half innings. The Panthers held the Bruins scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, but were unable to bring a run across the plate in the top of the seventh inning as Belmont took home a 7-5 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

Addison McElrath finished with three hits in four at-bats including two home runs. Drew Hinrichs recorded a pair of hits including a home run and two RBIs.

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.