The University of Northern Iowa softball team scored four runs in the first three innings of play Wednesday night and earned a 4-1 victory over the Bradley University Braves. Sophomore Gina Brown went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in three RBIs for the Panthers, who improved to 34-12 (18-2 MVC) on the year.

Sophomore pitcher Jamie Fisher toed the rubber for the Panthers. Fisher was dazzling once again, pitching a complete game while limiting the Braves to just one run on two hits and three walks. She also struck out ters on the night.

After holding the Braves scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Panthers got right to work, putting up a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. UNI senior shortstop Mackenzie Daigh led off the bottom half of the inning with a double and later scored on a single by Brown. Junior catcher Samantha Reimer drove in Laura Turner with a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

The Braves answered with a run of their own in the top of the second inning, but could not find the scoreboard again.

Turner led off the bottom of the third inning with a walk and scored moments later when Brown connected on a two-run home run, extending the UNI lead to 4-1.

Neither team could sustain a rally over the final four innings and UNI held on for a 4-1 victory.

The Panthers return to action Thursday night at the University of Iowa and then travel to Carbondale, Ill., for a three-game series with the Southern Illinois Salukis this weekend.