University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Illinois State
Panther softball ends the 2026 season on day two of the MVC Tournament
5/7/2026 10:25:00 PM | Softball
CARBONDALE, Illinois — The UNI Panther softball team ended the 2026 softball season on day two of the MVC Tournament in Carbondale, Illinois, on Thursday night. A rematch of game one against the Redbirds saw Illinois State jump out to an early lead. The Cats scored a pair in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a double from Sykora Smith, to cut the lead to one. Late-game fireworks from Illinois State sealed the Redbird win, 7-6.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State was first on the board, with a run in the top of the first inning. The Panthers answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to take an early lead in a do-or-die elimination game. A fielding error scored Skylar Benesh, while a two-run single came off the bat of Peyton Johnson after the bases-loaded error. The Cats took a 3-1 lead after one inning of action.
A two-run home run from the Redbirds tied the contest at three in the top of the second, before Katelyn Callahan won the longest at-bat of the tournament with 13 pitches to put a double into the gap to drive in Benesh. Callahan fought off seven straight foul balls at the end of the at-bat to get her pitch and drive in UNI's fourth run of the day.
A one-run single from Illinois State tied the game at four runs in the top of the third frame. Back-to-back 1-2-3 half innings from both teams brought up a two-run single from the Redbirds to give Illinois State a two-run lead. They tacked on another in the top of the sixth to take a 7-4 lead.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Sykora Smith doubled down the left-field line to drive in a pair and bring the Cats within a run. UNI loaded the bases once again in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out, looking to walk off the Redbirds. A line to the pitcher was quickly relayed to third base to double off the batter and the runner to end the Panthers' comeback hopes quickly and seal the Illinois State advancement.
BY THE NUMBERS
Skylar Benesh and Kate Lappe led the Panther bats in the final game of the 2026 season with three hits apiece. Katelyn Callahan and Sykora Smith rounded out the UNI multi-hit performers with two hits each. Both Smith and Peyton Johnson drove in a pair of runs against the Redbirds. Anna Wischnowski struck out three batters in her final 2.1 innings in the circle for the Cats. She faced 11 total batters.
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.
