Softball drops home opener to Northern Iowa

Wednesday, March 2

Draper Diamond

2 PM

Lipscomb University

4-10

Northern Iowa

3-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Northern Iowa	1	0	0	2	1	0	0	4	7	1
Lipscomb	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	3	3	1

Softball drops home opener to Northern Iowa

3/2/2022 7:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

NASHVILLE – Lipscomb softball was finally able to take its own field Wednesday for the team's home opener, but unfortunately, Northern Iowa spoiled the party with a 4-3 win over the purple and gold at Draper Diamond.

Laine Barefoot took the defeat and dropped to 2-3 on the year after tossing 5.0 innings of work. She allowed four runs (two unearned) with six strikeouts and three walks.

The Panters (3-7) opened the game with three consecutive base knocks, including an RBI-single to center field to take a 1-0 lead.

The Bisons put three runners on through the first two frames via free passes, but they were unable to take advantage until the bottom of the third frame.

Amy Vetula led off the inning with a blooping single just beyond the infield. Two batters later, Maci Cunconan blasted a 2-run shot over the fence in right to put the Bisons in front 2-1.

Maci Cunconan hits her first HOME RUN of the season as @LipscombSB takes the lead against Northern Iowa!#ASUNSB | #HornsUp ?? pic.twitter.com/sBFDVUBleP
— ASUN Softball?? (@ASUNSoftball) March 2, 2022

In the top of the fourth, UNI put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Barefoot looked to get out of the frame with a ground ball down the third base line, but an errant throw pulled Elise Shewmaker off the bag at first and both runs came around to plate, giving the Panthers the lead back at 3-2.

In the home half, Kamrie Rich started things off with a four-pitch walk. After getting to second on another free pass, Vetula roped a double to center, allowing pinch runner Jessie Brown to come home and knot the game at 3-3.

B4 | LIP 3, UNI 3@AVetula smacks an RBI-double to center field and we are all tied up! #IntoTheStorm ? | #HornsUp ?? pic.twitter.com/UYnPV1cDmj
— Lipscomb Softball (@LipscombSB) March 2, 2022

That score didn't stand long however, as UNI's leadoff Mya Dodge drilled a solo homer to left center, putting the Panthers in front for good at 4-3.

Lipscomb's best scoring chance came in the bottom of the sixth when a pair of walks and a fielding error loaded the bases for the Bisons with two outs. The team's second-best hitter Presley Leebrick came up and lined a shot to center for the third out on a 0-2 count.

Lipscomb went down in order in the seventh to end the game.

NOTES

Vetula collected two of Lipscomb's three base hits.
Cunconan's homer was the first of her career and it gave her eight RBI on the season.
Rich drew three of the Bisons six walks.
Emily Yakubowski came on and pitched the final 2.0 innings, where she only allowed one base hit with three punchouts.

UP NEXT
Lipscomb is back at home this weekend for five games, hosting the Purple/Gold Challenge. They will face Southeastern Missouri (3 p.m.) and Dayton on Friday. In total there will be 10 games at Draper Diamond this weekend.