April 22, 2008

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa's Jen Larsen connected for her fourth career game-winning home run against North Dakota State in the first game of the doubleheader Tuesday afternoon giving UNI a 4-1 win over the visiting Bison. Larsen then hit an RBI single in game two to plate the lone run of the second contest, thus eventually giving UNI the 1-0 win and completing the doubleheader sweep.

 

Game 1

 

North Dakota State struck early in the first contest, as the lead-off batter reached on an error by the Panther shortstop. Elisa Victa followed with a bunt, and Melissa Chmielewski connected for a RBI single to put the Bison up early, 1-0.

 

UNI was quick to respond in the bottom of the first, as lead-off batter Megan Machovec (DeWitt, Iowa/Central) drew a walk and advanced to third on a double by Stephanie Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine). Larsen then hit a sacrifice fly to left field that sent Machovec home and knotted the score at 1-1.

 

After a scoreless second frame, Machovec connected for a single to first base to open the bottom of the third for the Panthers. Aguero followed with her second single of the game, moving Machovec to second. Larsen then blasted the three-run homer over the left field fence, to put the Panthers on top 4-1.

 

North Dakota State connected for just three hits in the final three frames and UNI held on for the 4-1 win.

 

Larsen also earned the victory for the Panthers in the circle, tossing her eighth complete game and third shut out of the season. Allison Bakke was charged with the loss for the Bison despite tossing nine strikeouts in six innings of work.

 

Game 2

 

Larsen proved to be the difference maker for the Panthers once again, driving in the lone run of the game for either team. With the score deadlocked at 0-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Machovec drilled a single to the shortstop, followed by a single through the right side by Aguero that allowed Machovec to advance to third. Larsen squeaked an RBI single to first base that allowed Machovec to score and put UNI up 1-0.

 

UNI was able to hold the Bison off in the top of the seventh despite having the bases loaded with only one out. Sarah Bakey (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) struck out the next Bison batter, and Aguero snatched a pop fly ball to seal the victory for UNI.

 

Bakey earned the win for the Panthers in game two, tossing four innings and allowing just four hits. Bekki Rasmussen took the loss for the Bison, allowing seven hits and tossing four strikeouts.

 

Larsen finished the day 2-for-5 with five RBIs. Aguero finished 4-for-five, and lead-off batter Machovec finished 2-for-6 with three runs scored.

 

The Panthers (18-23) will return to action tomorrow as they travel to Iowa City to take on host Iowa for a single game contest beginning at 6 p.m. at Pearl Field.