April 5, 2008

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa dropped two games to Drake Saturday afternoon, 10-1 and 15-7, both in five innings. Drake connected for 26 hits in the two games in comparison to the Panthers 10. Strong winds helped the teams combine for 10 home runs in the twin bill; with UNI registering two and the Bulldogs blasting eight.

 

Game 1

 

Drake pushed multiple-runs across in the top of the first, second, third and fourth innings to take a 10-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.

 

UNI plated their first run of the day in the bottom of the fourth. Michelle Phillips (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee) and Crystal Keiper (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) both reached base on walks; while Phillips stole second and later advanced to third on a passed ball to put herself in scoring position. Phillips plated the only run of the game for the Panthers on a ground out by Morgan Paulson (Fort Dodge, Iowa/ Fort Dodge).

 

Reigning Missouri Valley Conference pitcher of the week Brynne Dordel earned the win for the Bulldogs, tossing three-and-two-thirds innings while retiring four batters and allowing just two hits. Jen Larsen (Moline, Ill./Moline) took the loss for the Panthers.

 

Game 2

 

The home runs continued to fly in the second game as Drake's Kristin Birocci connected for a two-run homer to left field.

 

UNI responded quickly as Rachel Gerking (Spirit Lake, Iowa/ Spirit Lake) blasted her first homer of the year, driving in three runs to give the Panthers their first lead of the day at 3-2.

 

The lead was short-lived as Drake answered with a three-run homer of their own, along with two other runs to take a 7-3 lead.

 

The home runs kept coming, as UNI's Stephanie Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) stroked a three-run homer to right field to pull the Panthers to within one at 7-6.

 

Drake widened the gap in the top of the third frame, plating four runs while UNI respond with one; an RBI single by Megan Machovec (DeWitt, Iowa/Central). Liz Adams (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) then came in as a relief pitcher in the top of the fourth and struck out three consecutive Bulldog batters. UNI failed to convert on the offensive side however, and headed into the top of the fifth down 11-7.

 

Drake put the game out of reach for the Panthers in the top of the fifth, driving in four runs off five hits, including a double and a home run.

 

UNI (14-19, 2-8 MVC) and Drake (16-16, 7-4 MVC) will play the final game of  the three-game series tomorrow, beginning 12:00 p.m. at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex in Cedar Falls, Iowa.