March 31, 2008

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score 
 

LINCOLN, Neb- The University of Northern Iowa softball team split a doubleheader match-up with non-conference opponent Nebraska Monday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb. UNI snatched the 2-1 victory over the Huskers in game one, despite registering just three hits in comparison to the Nebraska's six, but plated two runs in the top of the sixth to take the win from the Huskers. Nebraska turned around to connect for 14 hits in game two, thus taking a 6-2 win from the Panthers.

 

Game 1

 

Nebraska struck early and put its only run on the board in the bottom of the first on an error by the Panther infield.

 

The Panthers remained hitless until the top of the sixth when Megan Machovec (DeWitt, Iowa/Central) connected for a single to right field. Stephanie Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) reached on an error by the Huskers that plated Machovec for the Panthers first run. Jen Larsen (Moline, Ill./Moline) registered the second hit for the Panthers, driving a single to second base that advanced Aguero to third. Rachel Gerking (Spirit Lake, Iowa/Spirit Lake) then connected for an RBI single that put the Panthers up for good at 2-1.

 

The Panther defense held strong for the remainder of the game and broke Nebraska's 44-game home non-conference winning streak. In the process, UNI earned its first win over the Huskers since 1994 to break a seven-game losing streak to Nebraska. The win was just UNI's second victory in 16 attempts against the Huskers.  

 

Nebraska's Molly Hill was tagged for the Husker loss despite retiring 10 batters and allowing just three hits.

 

UNI's Sarah Bakey (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) earned the win for the Panthers, improving 3-3 this season.

 

Game 2

 

Nebraska connected for 14 hits in the second game, while the Panthers only managed to register four hits.

 

Following a run by the Huskers in the bottom of the first, UNI took an early 2-1 lead in the top of the second. Gerking opened the frame with a walk and Bakey then reached on a passed ball and stole second. Brittany Ruzicka (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) then hit an RBI single to third base, putting the Panthers first run on the board. Kelly Papesh (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) followed by stroking a RBI single to left field to put the Panthers up 2-1.

 

Nebraska answered by scoring runs in the third, fourth and fifth frames to eventually take the 6-2 lead.

 

UNI's attempt at a comeback in the top of the seventh fell short as UNI struggled to connect at the plate, but managed to put three runners on base. Bakey opened the inning with a walk and was then tagged out at second as Ruzicka (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) reached on a fielder's choice. Machovec earned the second walk of the inning for the Panthers, but both were left marooned as no Panthers could connect to plate the runners.

 

Larsen was charged with the loss for the Panthers, tossing four innings, while Nebraska's Alex Hupp earned the win, tossing a complete game including four strikeouts.

 

UNI (12-17, 0-4 Missouri Valley Conference) will now travel to Peoria, Ill. for a doubleheader contest with MVC foe Bradley Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers will then return to Cedar Falls to host a three-game series with Drake April 5-6.