The UNI softball squad opened their season this past weekend as they hosted the annual Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, with visitors coming from DePaul, Drake, Murray State, South Dakota and South Dakota State. The weather was nasty outside but perfect softball weather inside the UNI-Dome as the Panthers got in full swing against South Dakota in game one of the tournament.

The Purple and Gold got up quickly following a Sammey Bunch triple to start off the game, followed by Emma Valainis bringing in Bunch with an RBI groundout, giving the Panthers the early 1-0 lead. UNI gave up two runs in the fourth and sixth innings going down 4-1 to South Dakota. Adara Opiola and Tianna Drahn got on base before Kamryn Shaffer hit a liner into deep left bringing the score to 4-3. South Dakota managed to get another run in the top of the seventh inning to take the game, 5-3.

Panther ace Jaclyn Spencer pitched a strong six innings for UNI, giving up four runs and striking out three. Hannah Kelley came in to relieve in the seventh allowing one run, and also recording a strikeout.

Freshman Samantha Heyer pitched six innings with seven strikeouts in game two against Murray State. The Racers opened the scoring in the top of the third inning, but Bunch responded in the bottom of the third inning with her first homerun of the season to tie the game up at one a piece. The game continued to go back and forth, but Murray State managed to get a run in the top of the sixth and seventh innings without a response from the Purple and Gold to take the game 2-1.

Day two approached for the Panthers and it brought with it a rematch against Murray State. The Racers opened up the scoring once again with two runs scored against sophomore Erica Oler in the top of the third inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Panthers were able to get the bats going on offense as they brought in seven runs including another Bunch home run, bringing the score to 7-2. Erica Oler held the Racers off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game as she scored the complete start with four strikeouts recorded.

In game four, the Panthers squared off with South Dakota State and started off the scoring for the purple and gold thanks to a Hannah Kelley RBI in the bottom of the third inning. In the top of the fourth, the Jackrabbits responded with four runs of their own, and another two in the seventh inning to take the game, 6-1.

The Panther women will travel to Tucson, Arizona next weekend for a tournament hosted by the University of Arizona. Schools featured will be UNI, Arizona, Oklahoma, Bryant and Long Beach State.