Panthers drop Bulldog Classic opener to Stephen F. Austin

Thursday, February 26

Ruston, La.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

6-7

Stephen F. Austin

12-6

Northern Iowa

Stephen F. Austin

Photo by: Garrett Hoyt

Panthers drop Bulldog Classic opener to Stephen F. Austin

2/26/2026 8:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RUSTON, Louisiana — The Panthers opened their weekend contests at the Bulldog Classic on Thursday night against Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks held UNI to just one hit and were victorious by a 5-0 final.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Stephen F. Austin opened the contest with four runs in the first inning to take a swift lead. The Lumberjacks scored their first run on an error and followed that up with another run on an error. A two-run home run gave SFA a 4-0 lead after the home-half of the first.

A run for SFA on an error in the top of the second inning was the only other run of the game as the Lumberjacks opened the Bulldog Classic with a 5-0 victory over the Panthers.

BY THE NUMBERS

Brynn Acton had UNI's lone hit of the game. Anna Wischnowski finished with four strikeouts in her 5.1-inning start.

UP NEXT

The Panthers continue the Bulldog Classic hosted by Louisiana Tech. Central Arkansas on Friday at 1 p.m. CT before a pair of games on Saturday against Stephen F. Austin and Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. CT and 7 p.m. CT, respectively. UNI's contest against Louisiana Tech 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.