UNI softball splits the final day of the Bulldog Classic

Saturday, February 28

Ruston, La.

1 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

6-9

Stephen F. Austin

14-6

Stephen F. Austin

Northern Iowa

Photo by: Stephen Featherston

UNI softball splits the final day of the Bulldog Classic

2/28/2026 9:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RUSTON, Louisiana — The UNI softball team wrapped up its trip to Louisiana with day three of the Bulldog Classic. UNI dropped its opening contest of the day before the bats got hot against tournament-host Louisiana Tech in the final game of the tournament.

GAME ONE | Stephen F. Austin 5, UNI 0

The Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin opened scoring in the top of the second inning with an RBI-single to plate their first run of the day. They added a trio of runs with a three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning and another in the top of the seventh to claim the 5-0 victory.

Kate Lappe, Katelyn Callahan, Sykora Smith, Drew Hinrichs, and Peyton Johnson recorded hits for the Panthers. Maddy McDermott struck out four batters in her four-inning start.

GAME TWO | UNI 9, Louisiana Tech 2

The Panther offense didn't waste any time as Skylar Benesh sent a ball over the fence for a leadoff home run. A two run single later in the inning plated Kate Lappe and Peyton Johnson off the bat of Drew Hinrichs to give the Cats a 3-0 lead after the top half of the opening inning.

UNI continued the home run barrage with long balls in the top of the second and third innings to take a 5-0 lead after the visiting half of the third frame. Brynn Acton stepped up and sent one deep in the second, while Sykora Smith hit the third-inning home run.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom half of the third inning on a sacrifice fly before a pair of UNI runners scored in the top of the fourth inning as Paige Peterson and Skylar Benesh crossed the plate. UNI held a 7-1 lead after the top of the fourth frame.

Louisiana Tech scored a run on a bases-loaded error in the bottom of the fourth inning, that was all the damage in the frame as UNI continued to lead, 7-2, after four full innings of action. UNI tacked on two more in the top of the sixth inning off the bat of Kate Lappe. A double to right field scored Adalyn Reynolds and Skylar Benesh to give the Panthers a 9-2 lead late in the contest. UNI shut the door on a comeback with a 1-2-3, bottom of the seventh inning to take home a 9-2 victory.

Skylar Benesh finished with three hits, while Brynn Acton and Drew Hinrichs recorded two to round out UNI's multi-hit batters. Benesh scored three runs, including a home run, while Acton drove in a pair. In the circle, Anna Wischsnowski picked up her third win of the season in a complete game. She struck out four batters.

UP NEXT

The Panthers open conference play in Kentucky with a three-game series at Murray State. The Cats and the Racers are scheduled for a double-header on Friday, March 6 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. CT before a single matchup on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Matchups will be available 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.