University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
21-15, 9-4
UIC
17-24-1, 6-14
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ill.-Chicago | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 0 |
| Northern Iowa | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | X | 14 | 12 | 3 |
Panther softball completes sweep of UIC with a comeback victory
4/11/2026 3:06:00 PM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Flames opened game three of the weekend series hot, but UNI battled back to claim a win. Brynn Acton finished with three home runs, including a grand slam, in three hits to lift UNI over UIC, 14-10, and complete its first MVC sweep at Robinson-Dresser of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A six-run first inning from the Flames got game three of the weekend series off to a hot start, as UIC hit two home runs in the opening frame to take an early lead. UNI got on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a pair of two-run singles off the bats of Kate Lappe and Ava Smithson. Both singles came with the bases loaded and two outs. The Flames led 6-4 after two full innings of play.
A Panther error in the outfield in the top of the fourth inning crossed UIC's seventh run of the game before the Cats scored two in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to one run at 7-6. Brynn Acton hit UNI's 10th home run of the series, followed by an RBI single from Ava Smithson to inch closer to the Flames after four innings.
UIC pushed their lead to four runs at 10-6 with a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning. The Panthers answered with a three-run bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit back to one. A solo home run from Peyton Johnson was followed by Brynn Acton's second long ball of the day, a two-run home run to left center.
Eight total batters for the Flames saw the plate in the final two innings, as UNI scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to take their first lead of the game. Skylar Benesh drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 10 runs with two outs before Brynn Acton launched her third home run of the game. With the bases juiced, Acton's home run gave UNI a 14-10 lead, clinching the comeback and the series sweep.
BY THE NUMBERS
Brynn Acton and Ava Smithson each finished with three hits in the game. Acton's all left the field for home runs, while Smithson recorded a double. Acton drove in seven runs while Smithson drove in three. Skylar Benesh and Kate Lappe rounded out UNI's multi-hit performers. In the circle, Anna Wischnowski picked up her 10th win of the season in a 6.2-inning relief effort. Wischnowski struck out three batters in the contest.
UP NEXT
The Panthers host the Drake Bulldogs for a midweek doubleheader on Tuesday, April 14. The in-state rivalry is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch and 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: Wischnowski, Anna (10-5)
L: Trinity Brandhorst (4-7)
Batting:
2B: Cameran Rios 1
HR: Emily Brecht 1 ; Ari O'Connell 1 ; Grace Taylor 1
RBI: Larissa Ortiz 2 ; Emily Brecht 3 ; Ari O'Connell 2 ; Grace Taylor 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Cameran Rios 1 ; Siena Stickney 1 ; Sam Tourtillott 1 ; Larissa Ortiz 1 ; Emily Brecht 1 ; Nina Pesare 1 ; Ari O'Connell 2 ; Sophie Gerochi 1 ; Grace Taylor 1
SB: Siena Stickney 1 ; Sam Tourtillott 1
CS: Sophie Gerochi 1
Batting:
2B: Smithson, Ava 1
HR: Acton, Brynn 3 ; Johnson, Peyton 1
RBI: Benesh, Skylar 1 ; Acton, Brynn 7 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; Smithson, Ava 3 ; Johnson, Peyton 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Benesh, Skylar 3 ; Acton, Brynn 3 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; Smithson, Ava 1 ; Johnson, Peyton 1 ; Reynolds, Adalyn 1 ; Hinrichs, Drew 1 ; Smithson, Ella 2
SB: Lappe, Kate 1
CS: Slockett, Brynlee 1
HBP: Smithson, Ella 1
