Feb. 25, 2006
Box Score
Pekin, Ill.. - An eight-run third inning powered the University of Northern Iowa softball team to a 12-3 rout of Western Illinois in a run-shortened affair on the second day of competition in the Bradley Invitational Saturday.
UNI used 14 hits to put runs on the board in each of the first four innings, including the eight the Panthers scored in the third frame, and ran away until the game was halted in the fifth inning.
Senior shortstop Rachael Rogers (Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert) went 3-for-3 at the plate, including her second home run of the season, and drove in three runs while scoring three more to lead UNI's offensive attack. Freshman Stefany Shalla (Kalona, Iowa/Mid-Prairie) also was 3-for-3 with an RBI, while junior Nikki Ferden (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott) went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Freshman Morgan Paulson (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) was 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored, while sophomore Stephanie Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) also tallied a multi-hit game, driving in two runs with a 2-for-4 performance.
Senior Uju Ibekwe (South Holland, Ill./Thornwood) evened her season record at 1-1 with the pitching win, allowing a single earned run on three hits in four innings of work in the circle.
The day's second game was a reversal of fortunes for the Panthers, who dropped a 6-1 decision to Purdue and saw their season record fall to 2-5-1. The Boilermakers' four-run fourth inning was enough to hold off the Panthers, who managed only four hits. Rogers contributed the Panthers' lone run by driving in pinch-runner Brittany Ruzicka (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) with a bunt single in the fourth frame.
Monica Wright (1-3) took the loss for UNI, giving up the six runs on 11 hits.
The Panthers will take part in bracket play at noon Sunday, the final day of competition in Pekin.
