PAGE 6
COLIN HORNING Sports Editor
SPORTS MAY 2, 2022 |
SOFTBALL
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
DAVID WARRINGTON Associate Sports Editor
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 54
Panthers win 16th straight, break program winning streak record DAVID WARRINGTON
Associate Sports Editor
A special season became a record-breaking season on Sunday when the UNI softball team swept the Indiana State Sycamores in a doubleheader at the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex. This gave the Panthers, who hold a 20-1 record in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play, their 16th consecutive victory, breaking the program record for most consecutive wins of 15 set in 2012. In game one of what was supposed to be a three-game series before weather caused the cancellation of Saturday’s game, UNI got on the board first. Kylee Sanders reached base on a Sycamore error, allowing Kamryn Shaffer to score. Emmy Wells followed this up by lining a single into the outfield to score another run, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Mya Dodge put a very unique run on the board in the third. After successfully stealing second base, Dodge advanced to third after the catcher’s throw was mishandled by the second baseman. However, the ISU center fielder also misplayed the ball in the outfield, allowing Dodge to easily score and extend the lead to 3-0. After a run from each team in the middle innings, UNI led 4-1 when the Sycamores
turned the momentum around with back-to-back solo home runs from Bella Peterson and Annie Tokarek, cutting the lead to 4-3. The Panthers managed to put the game away in the bottom of the fifth when Wells stepped up to the plate with two runners on base and hit her 15th home run of the season, driving in three runs and giving UNI a 7-3 lead that they would hold until the end. It was a solid pitching performance from Kailyn Packard, giving up four runs with just two walks as well as striking out 12. Packard was credited with the win, bringing her season record to 18-4. In the second game of the doubleheader, UNI got on the board first when Madison Parks hit a towering home run several feet beyond the fence in right-center field, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Sycamores would respond in the top of the second, when Abi Chipps drove a base hit into center field, scoring two runners to give Indiana State a 2-1 advantage. Daryn Lamprecht managed to tie the game in the bottom of the third, hitting her eighth home run of the season. The solo blast tied the game at 2-2. UNI kept the offense going in the fourth. Taylor Hogan led the inning off with a base hit, and with two outs Dodge roped a line-drive double into
Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics
The UNI softball team broke the program record for longest winning streak with their two wins over Indiana State on Sunday. The winning streak now sits at 16 games with four regular season games left to play.
centerfield, giving UNI a 3-2 lead. It was in the fifth inning when UNI put the game away for good. With runners on second and third, Wells hit her second home run of the doubleheader, and her MVC-best 16th of the season, giving UNI a 6-2 lead. The Sycamores would manage to get one more run across in the sixth, but the Panthers would hold on to win their
16th consecutive game, 6-3. It was another impressive performance in the circle from Samantha Heyer. In seven innings, Heyer allowed three runs, only two of which were earned, while striking out 13 Sycamore batters. With the wins, the Panthers improve to 29-11 on the season with a 20-1 record in MVC play. UNI will be back in action for their final
home game of the year on Wednesday, hosting in-state rival Iowa. They will conclude the regular season this weekend, hitting the road for a three-game series with Bradley. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, with a single game on Sunday. After that, UNI will look ahead to the MVC Tournament beginning Wednesday, May 11 in Springfield, Mo.
GOLF
Men’s golf finishes season at MVC Championships HUNTER FRIESEN Sports Writer
The men’s golf team capped off their spring season this past weekend as they traveled down to Paducah, Ky for the Missouri Valley Conference Championships. The Panthers did not perform well as a team, finishing in last place behind the other eight conference teams. On the bright side, junior Griffin Parker received individual all-conference honors and placed 8th among all eligible players. Parker’s honors came from his consistent play, as he improved in each round during the 54-hole tournament. He carded a 223 (76, 74, 73) across the three rounds.
He sat in 14th place going into the final day and was able to find himself within the Top 10 by the end. This year’s honors are his second in his career as he finished in 10th place just last year. Senior Thomas Storbeck finished 25th, with a total score of 235 (82, 77, 76). Jack Moody finished in 37th, along with Alex Pries in 40th, and Tommy Doyle in 42nd. With a total team score of 933 (321, 304, 308), UNI finished in last place. Winning the championship was Southern Illinois with a total score of 874 (295, 285, 294), which was a full 17 shots better than runner-up Valparaiso with 891. What helped the Salukis earn their third conference title in six
Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics
The men’s golf team ended their season at the 2022 MIssouri Valley Conference Championships last week.
seasons was their balanced lineup. All five of their players placed within the Top 14. Along with their team victory,
Southern Illinois also boasted two all-conference players in Tom Cleaton and Matthis Besard, who also won Golfer
of the Year. Danielle Kaufman won Coach of the Year. Anthony Delisanti of Valparaiso finished in first place among individual players with a score of 213 (74, 72, 67). He earned all-conference honors along with being named Newcomer of the Year. Looking back at the Panthers’ season, some notable highlights were their 3rd place team finish at the Valpo Invite in late February. Griffin finished in a tie for first place at the Jackrabbit Invite in March, which included him leading the field with 16 birdies across the three rounds. Doyle, Pries and Storbeck will all be graduating. The rest of the team will take the summer off to train and be ready for the fall season.
