University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
11-11
Northern Kentucky
11-11
Panther softball wraps up the NKU Tournament with a big win over Northern Kentucky
3/15/2026 12:10:00 PM | Softball
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Kentucky — The Panther softball team claimed its third win in three days over the Northern Kentucky Norse on Sunday morning, moving to 4-1 on the weekend. UNI's second inning saw seven runs, while its sixth inning saw six to clinch the run-rule victory over NKU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNI got on the board first in a 17-4 rout of Northern Kentucky in the top of the first inning, with an RBI single off the bat of Katelyn Callahan. Kate Lappe was UNI's first runner to cross the plate.
The Norse took a lead in the bottom of the first inning, with their only four runs of the game. NKU scored a run on a fielding error, two on a double, and one on a single to take a 4-2 lead after one inning of action.
The Panthers broke the contest wide open, with seven runs in the second inning, starting with a three-run home run from Peyton Johnson to tie the contest at four. A single to left field from Skylar Benesh drove in Ella Smithson, before Skylar Benesh scored with a two-run home run from Kate Lappe. Katelyn Callahan scored on a fielding error for UNI's final run of a seven-run frame. The Cats held an 8-4 advantage after the top half of the second inning.
The Panthers scored a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning with two RBI singles off the bats of Drew Hinrichs and Peyton Johnson. Adalyn Reynolds and Sykora Smith were the run scorers in the frame to give UNI a 10-4 lead.
Brynn Acton scored on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth inning, before UNI scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning to ice the game and wrap up weekend play. The sixth inning opened with a sacrifice fly from Skylar Benesh to score Paige Peterson from third, before a three-run home run from Brynn Acton plated Ella Smithson and Eve Morris. Sykora Smith singled to right-center field to drive in Finley Netten, before the Panthers wrapped up the game with a single from Drew Hinrichs to plate Sykora Smith.
Three straight outs, after an inning-opening walk, from the Norse sealed UNI's run-rule victory, 17-4 in six innings.
BY THE NUMBERS
Kate Lappe finished the game with three hits, two runs, and two RBIs with a home run in four at-bats and a walk. Peyton Johnson was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBIs and a run with a home run. Ashlyn Enke struck out three batters in a two-inning relief effort, while Carly Goodwin picked up her second win of the season in a two-inning relief effort.
UP NEXT
The Panthers get back into MVC play, as UNI heads to Valparaiso, Indiana, to take on the Valparaiso Beacons in a three-game series March 20 and 21. A doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. CT on Friday, March 20, will be available to stream 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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Goodwin, Carly (2-0)
L: Makaree Chapman (5-7)
Batting:
2B: Lappe, Kate 1
HR: Acton, Brynn 1 ; Lappe, Kate 1 ; Johnson, Peyton 1
RBI: Benesh, Skylar 2 ; Acton, Brynn 3 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; Callahan, Katelyn 1 ; Smith, Sykora 1 ; Hinrichs, Drew 2 ; Johnson, Peyton 4
SF: Benesh, Skylar 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Benesh, Skylar 1 ; Acton, Brynn 2 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; Netten, Finley 1 ; Callahan, Katelyn 1 ; Reynolds, Adalyn 1 ; Smith, Sykora 3 ; Hinrichs, Drew 1 ; Johnson, Peyton 1 ; Peterson, Paige 1 ; Smithson, Ella 2 ; Morris, Eve 1
SB: Peterson, Paige 1
CS: Callahan, Katelyn 1
HBP: Callahan, Katelyn 1
Batting:
2B: Jena Rhoads 1 ; Emma Ginn 1
RBI: Emma Ginn 2 ; Brooke Keltner 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jena Rhoads 1 ; Peyton Mueller-Stenz 1 ; Brielle DiMemmo 1 ; Emma Ginn 1
