The Northern Iowa softball team got a jumpstart to their Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) record this weekend against the Evansville University Purple Aces. The week was supposed to start off with in-state rival Iowa State, but the game had a rain delay and as of press time there is no rematch date set.

The first game on Saturday against Evansville saw a dominating Panther offense and pitching performance from freshman Jaci Spencer. The Panthers started the game strong, scoring four in the first inning after the first two batters hit themselves out.

Spencer started the scoring with an RBI single and fellow freshman, Sammy Bunch, added a two-RBI double to keep up the momentum. Every Panther received an at-bat during that inning. A couple of home runs in the second inning brought the Aces to within one, 4-3; but back-to-back scoring plays in the bottom half gave UNI a 7-3 lead. One play included a two-shot home run by senior Anna Varriano.

Spencer retired 12 -straight batters until a home run started the sixth inning for Evansville. Spencer then struck out the next batters. During this run UNI had scored once per inning. The finishing blow came from Bunch’s bottom of the sixth, two run blast that mercied Evansville 12-4.

The second game in their double header saw senior Alyssa Buchanan throw a no hitter over five innings. Sophomore Brittney Krodinger started the scoring in the first by stealing home. Bunch brought Varriano home in the second on a double, which was followed by a Varriano two-shot homer in the third.

The fourth was the last inning as Evansville could not close the gap after a five run inning that saw a three RBI triple by Bunch.

The final ended up being 9-0. During the two games UNI scored in every inning and never trailed. It also gave both teams a chance to rest for the third game on Sunday, which proved to be a much more competitive game.

Freshman Ashley Chesser scored first in the bottom of the second by way of a solo home run. The fourth saw back to back scoring singles for the Purple Aces who got their first lead of the series at 2-1.

The sixth saw what has been a strong part of the order for a UNI come back as Bunch got Varriano across on a double to draw the game even. The game went a little long, but it set the stage for a great ending. A walk-off homerun by Varriano gave UNI the series sweep.

UNI plays Southern Illinois this Saturday and Sunday — the second of three series in Cedar Falls. After Southern Illinois and before the Bradley series, the Panthers will play one game against the University of Iowa on April 11.