Panther softball ends Best on the Bayou with a win over Lamar

Sunday, February 22

Monroe, La.

11 a.m.

University of Northern Iowa

6-5

Lamar

7-7

Lamar

Northern Iowa

Photo by: Garrett Hoyt

Panther softball ends Best on the Bayou with a win over Lamar

2/22/2026 5:56:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

UNI softball edges out Lamar University, 8-6, in the final game of the Best on the Bayou tournament.

MONROE, Louisiana — The UNI softball team wrapped up the Best on the Bayou tournament on Sunday with a single matchup against Lamar. Three home runs from the Panthers, including a pair off the bat of Kate Lappe, were the difference makers for the Panthers on Sunday as UNI took down Lamar, 8-6.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Kate Lappe sent a ball deep in the bottom of the first to open the matchup. The long ball scored two runs with Skylar Benesh on base. The Cardinals plated a run on a double in the top of the third inning before Lappe's second home run of the contest in the bottom of the third inning pushed UNI's lead to 3-1. A two-run double from Drew Hinrichs gave UNI a 5-1 advantage after three full innings of play.

A one-run double and a run on an error in the top of the fourth for Lamar cut into the UNI lead before a three-run home run off the bat of Katelyn Callahan gave the Cats an 8-3 advantage.

Lamar had a one-run home run in the top of the sixth and a two-run home run in the top of the seventh, but could not outhit the Panthers as UNI came away with an 8-6 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

Kate Lappe finished with three hits, three runs, and three RBIs with two home runs in four at-bats. Skylar Benesh, Drew Hinrichs, and Maddy McDermott finished with a pair of hits each. Katelyn Callahan drove in three runs. Maddy McDermott picked up her first win of the season in the circle. Ashlyn Enke recorded two strikeouts in a two-inning relief effort.

UP NEXT

The Cats continue their time in Louisiana and take on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Tuesday, February 24. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be available for streaming 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 2026 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.