TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball fell in the series opener against UNI on Friday as the Panthers won 8-3 on a sunny afternoon at Price Field.
 
The Sycamores (18-18, 7-4) scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to begin a comeback bid but UNI (21-10, 10-0) was able to hold on for the victory.
 
The Action
UNI jumped out to an early lead, plating two runs in the top of the first. Sycamore starter Lexi Benko struck out Panther cleanup hitter Mya Dodge for the second out, but UNI was able to notch a two-out 2-RBI single up the middle to go up 2-0.
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Isabella Henning led off the frame with a double off the wall in left center. Kennedy Shade moved Henning to third with a SAC bunt followed by an Annie Tokarek RBI groundout which scored Henning to put the Sycamores on the board and trim the Panther lead to 2-1.
 
The Panthers put up three runs on four hits in the top of the fifth, chasing Sycamore starter Lexi Benko who was replaced by Hailey Griffin. UNI would plate three more in the sixth, extending their lead to 8-1.
 
After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh by Griffin, Indiana State came to the plate looking for a rally.
 
UNI went to their bullpen to begin the inning and the Sycamores rattled off back-to-back-to-back singles from Kennedy Shade, Annie Tokarek and Maeve McDonough. Shade would later score on a wild pitch to made it a 8-2 contest. After a TeAnn Bringle lineout, Morgan Goodrich legged out an infield single for her first career hit to load the bases again.
 
With the bases loaded and one out, the Panthers reentered starter Samantha Heyer to try and close it out. Heyer struck out Luci Kapelka but walked Olivia Patton, bringing home pinch-runner Hannah Welch to make it a 8-3 game. With two away in the inning, Danielle Henning hit it hard to left but it was tracked down by the left fielder to end the contest.
 
The Sycamores finished with six hits while UNI had 12 on the afternoon.
 
Lexi Benko took the loss for ISU, dropping to 8-6 on the season.
 
Up Next
The series continues tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET at Price Field.
 
For the latest information on Sycamore Softball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.