Panther softball breaks program’s single-season home run record against SIU

Saturday, April 18

Carbondale, Ill.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

22-19, 10-8

Southern Illinois

28-14, 17-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Northern Iowa	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	5	0
Southern Ill.	0	0	0	2	3	0	X	5	6	0

Photo by: Dominic Hoscher - Southern Illinois

Panther softball breaks program’s single-season home run record against SIU

4/18/2026 4:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Illinois — The UNI softball team finished its weekend series in Illinois with a loss to the Salukis. The teams traded leads late in the game before a fifth-inning home run from SIU sealed the series sweep for the Salukis.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The UNI defense opened the game with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to get on a roll early again in game three. On the flip side, the Panther offense struggled to get runners around the base path, as the Panthers' first runner at third came in the top of the fourth inning.

Southern Illinois struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning. After loading the bases, a one-run single scored the first Saluki run of the afternoon and kept the bases juiced. A four-pitch walk drove in the second run of the inning, giving SIU a 2-0 advantage after four full innings of play.

The Panthers hit their first home run of the series in the top of the fifth inning to cut into the deficit. Brynn Acton gave UNI its 79th home run of the season, tying the single-season record set last season. Following a walk drawn by Kate Lappe in the next at-bat, Katelyn Callahan gave UNI the record-setting home run, as well as the lead, with a two-run bomb to left field. The Panthers took a 3-2 lead after the visiting half of the fifth frame.

The Salukis answered in the bottom of the fifth inning with a three-run home run, which sealed their series sweep over UNI with a 5-3 final.

BY THE NUMBERS

Brynn Acton and Sykora Smith had multi-hit performances in the contest, with two hits apiece. Callahan drove in two of UNI's three runs with one hit in three at-bats.

UP NEXT

The Panthers head home to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Wednesday, April 22. UNI will retire Panther pitcher Patty Stockman's jersey in a pre-game celebration against the Hawkeyes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT 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.