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May 4, 2008

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa- Illinois State took advantage of a strong wind to drill five home runs over the fence en route to their 15-2 win over the University of Northern Iowa on senior day. The Redbirds allowed the Panthers just four hits in the contest, while Illinois State connected for 16 hits.

Illinois State jumped out to an early lead, putting three runs on the board off Abby Olson's first home run of the day in the top of the first inning.

UNI responded, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the first frame. Megan Machovec (DeWitt, Iowa/Central) drilled a single up the middle and Stephanie Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) drew a walk. Jen Larsen (Moline, Ill./Moline) reached on a fielder's choice, while Aguero advanced to second and Machovec reached third on an error by the Redbird third basemen. Rachel Gerking then reached base on a fielder's choice, while Machovec was able to score. Crystal Keiper (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) hit a ground out to second base that allowed Aguero to score and UNI to pull within 3-2.

That was as close as the Panthers would get the rest of the game as the home runs kept coming for the Redbirds. Olson hit her second round-tripper of the game in the top of the third, and Casey Gorrell drilled a grand slam over the center field fence in the fourth inning to widen the gap further for the Panthers. Olson hit her final home run of the day in the top of the fifth, this time a two RBI shot to right field.

Senior Ashley Lepley (Albia, Iowa/Albia) took the loss for the Panthers, tossing three innings. Senior Liz Adams (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) also saw time in the circle for senior day, along with sophomore Sarah Bakey (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley).

Machovec led the way for the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run scored.

Sunday's contest marked the final game for the Panthers in the 2008 season, as they finish with a 20-28 overall record and 5-16 in Missouri Valley Conference play. UNI currently sits in ninth place in the Valley standings and will not earn a spot in the MVC Conference Championship for the fifth straight season.

NOTES:

* Despite not earning a spot in the Valley tournament, the Panthers showed improvement throughout the 2008 season. UNI improved its' winning percentage from .373 in 2007 (19-32 overall) to .416 (20-28) in 2008.

* UNI held opposing teams to a .302 batting average in the 2008 season, an improvement from .328 in 2007. UNI improved its own batting average from .257 in 2007 to .258 in 2008.

* UNI's pitching staff recorded a 4.05 ERA this season, a significant improvement from 2007 when the staff compiled a 5.00 ERA.

* Senior Stephanie Aguero finished her four-year career in the Purple and Gold today after starting all 197 games in her career.