University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther softball’s Brynn Acton honored with multiple weekly awards
3/31/2026 1:03:00 PM | Softball
ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) announced its weekly softball awards on Tuesday morning. Brynn Acton was named MVC Player and Freshman of the Week. On top of the Valley, Acton was named the D1 Softball.com Mid-Major Player of the Week and the Softball America Player of the Week.
Acton had a monster week for the Panthers, who went 3-1 over the week with a victory over Illinois and a 2-1 series edge against Illinois State. Acton recorded eight hits and seven runs in 19 at-bats for a .421 batting average. Acton's eight hits included six home runs and 15 RBIs for a 1.368 slugging percentage. Against ISU, Acton had five home runs (of her seven hits), including three home runs in game three of the series. Acton was key in a 13-run comeback victory over Illinois State, which saw UNI claim a 24-16, six-inning victory after trailing 13-0 through the top of the third frame. Acton became the first Panther to hit three long balls in the same game since Mya Dodge in 2023 against Southern Illinois. Acton hit two home runs, including a grand slam, in the bottom of the third inning alone, the first time a Panther has had multiple home runs in the same inning since Sammey Bunch in 2021 against Evansville.
The Panthers head to Iowa State for a Tuesday-night matchup on March 31. First pitch in Ames is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT, with the game 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.
