The UNI Panthers softball team (22-19, 10-8 MVC) is set to face the Iowa Hawkeyes (24-22, 6-12 B1G) in a midweek clash at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. CT. UNI is looking to rebound after suffering a series sweep loss to Southern Illinois last week, and will honor former Panther pitcher Patty Stockman during the game. The Panthers have won the last two matchups versus the Hawkeyes, improving their all-time record to 27-32 against them. Key players include Katelyn Callahan, who leads the team with impressive batting stats, and Kate Lappe, who holds multiple MVC performance records.

By the Numbers
  • UNI leads the MVC with a batting average of .331 and 80 home runs.
  • Katelyn Callahan recorded 8 hits and 7 RBIs last week, boasting a .533 batting average.
  • Skylar Benesh is 13th nationally in hits with 66 and 15th in runs per game with 1.34.
State of Play
  • UNI is coming off its first series sweep loss since 2019, losing to SIU (2-1, 3-1, 5-3).
  • UNI currently holds the third-most walks in the nation with 236 this season.
  • The Panthers are on track to challenge the MVC single-season home run record, sitting at 80.
What's Next

A successful outing against Iowa could provide momentum for the Panthers as they prepare for more important MVC matchups ahead. Continued standout performances from key players like Lappe and Benesh may help solidify their playoff positioning.

Bottom Line

With their potent offense and recent successes, the UNI Panthers are positioned to capitalize on home-field advantage, but they must bounce back from last week's losses to maintain their competitive edge in the MVC.