
Bears Bounce Back in Game Two, Split Friday Doubleheader at UNI
April 05, 2024 | Softball
Â
Game 1 (5 Innings) – Northern Iowa 12, Missouri State 3
It was a tale of two games in the Friday afternoon doubleheader with game one going in favor of the Panthers.
Â
The Bears started the game out strong with a two-run homer in the top of the first, but the Panthers responded immediately with a three-run shot in the bottom half of the first. From there, though, the Northern Iowa offense exploded for runs over the first four innings.Â
Â
After the Panthers took a 6-2 lead after three innings, the Bears scored one in the fourth on an Annie Mueller solo homer to left field.Â
Â
Unfortunately, a sixth-run fourth inning would ice the game for the Panthers as Missouri State fell 12-3 in five innings.Â
Â
Â
Game 2 – Missouri State 11, Northern Iowa 5
Missouri State bounced back in a big way in game two on the afternoon to even the series.Â
Â
For the second consecutive game, the Bears struck first after Alexis Perales knocked an RBI single. Missouri State caught a big break in the bottom of the first when a Northern Iowa baserunner was called out following a review on a play that initially resulted in a two-run homer.Â
Â
The sixth inning was the difference-maker in this one as Missouri State posted six runs on eight hits. Olivia Krehbiel got the rally started with a leadoff homer before four straight singles scored a run and loaded the bases. Kelsie Lewis then strolled to the plate and cleared the bases with a triple to right center field, marking MSU's sixth consecutive hit to start the inning and giving the Bears a 6-0 lead. A Kenzie Derryberry sacrifice bunt scored Lewis for the sixth run of the third inning and pushed the MSU lead to 7-0.Â
Â
Northern Iowa made things interesting as the Bears needed just three outs to complete the run-rule victory. But the Panthers used five hits in the inning to cut MSU's lead in half, making it an 8-4 game with four innings in the books.Â
Â
Missouri State didn't flinch, scoring a run in the sixth after two singles and a UNI error before posting two more runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and Krehbiel's second homer of the game to secure an 11-5 road victory.Â
Â
Five Bears had multiple hits in the game, led by Krehbiel who went 4-for-5 with two RBI, two homers and a triple. Annie Mueller was 2-for-2 with two RBI, two runs and two walks and Lewis led the way with three RBI in game two.Â
Â
In the circle, Mackenzie Chacon tossed a complete game, allowing four earned runs and striking out four to earn the victory. Â
Â
The Bears and Panthers face off tomorrow (April 6) to decide the series. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.Â
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Heyer, Samantha (8-5)
L: Johnston, Gracie (1-13)

Batting:
HR: Ulrich, Kayla 1 ; Mueller, Annie 1
RBI: Ulrich, Kayla 2 ; Mueller, Annie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Krehbiel, Olivia 1 ; Ulrich, Kayla 1 ; Mueller, Annie 1
SB: Krehbiel, Olivia 1 ; Lewis, Kelsie 1

Batting:
2B: Pupillo, Alexis 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1 ; Hogan, Taylor 1
HR: Lappe, Kate 1 ; McElrath, Addison 1 ; Smithson, Ava 1
RBI: Pupillo, Alexis 3 ; Lappe, Kate 4 ; McElrath, Addison 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1 ; Hogan, Taylor 2 ; Smithson, Ava 1
SH: Parks, Madison 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Parks, Madison 2 ; Pupillo, Alexis 2 ; Lappe, Kate 2 ; McElrath, Addison 1 ; Sanders, Kylee 1 ; Kuper, Makenna 1 ; Smithson, Ava 1 ; Lamprecht, Daryn 1 ; Reynolds, Adalyn 1
CS: Peterson, Paige 1 ; Hogan, Taylor 1





















