PEORIA, Illinois – The UNI softball team took on the Illinois State Redbirds in the MVC Championship quarterfinal on Thursday at the Louisville Slugger Sport Complex in Peoria, Illinois.

Northern Iowa vs Illinois State | Final Score – W, 7-2
Jaclyn Spencer started in the circle for the Panthers, throwing 6 innings, facing 28 batters while recording 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.

Brooke Craig pitched the final inning for the Panthers, facing three batters on ten total pitches.
The Panthers got on the board early in the first inning, with bases loaded Illinois State walked Ashley Chesser, bringing Britney Krodinger across the plate. The Redbirds added a run in the second inning to tie the game before Spencer closed them out.

Adara Opiola hit her fifth home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead.

Sammey Bunch closed the top of the fifth with an impressive double play that sparked an impressive inning for the Panthers. After the athletic double play Bunch then led off with a base hit. Ashley Chesser recorded an RBI single bringing the Panthers lead to 4-1. With bases loaded in the fifth the Redbirds again walked Claire Dudek to give the Panthers another run. Adara Opiola then added a 2 RBI single to end the inning and extend the lead to 7-1.

The Redbirds added a home run to open the sixth inning for their second and final run of the game.

UP NEXT
The Panthers now advance to the MVC Semifinal where they will take on #2 seed Southern Illinois. The Panthers were swept by the Salukis April 27-28. Friday’s semifinal game will start at 1:32 pm at the Petersen Hotels Field at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.