SPORTS

SOFTBALL

APRIL 25, 2022 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 52

First-place Panthers sweep Illinois State

COLIN HORNING

Sports Editor

The UNI softball team has been on an absolute tear in Missouri Valley Conference play. Winners of their last 10 conference games heading into their weekend series against Illinois State, the Panther women looked to keep the momentum rolling at the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex with a three game series against the Redbirds. Due to weather concerns, there was a schedule change with Saturday’s doubleheader being moved to Sunday, and a single game being played on Saturday afternoon. UNI took all three games of the series, moving their conference record to a resounding 17-1 with just two series to play in the regular season. Saturday’s game matched UNI’s Kailyn Packard against Illinois State’s Hannah Ross in the pitcher’s circle. This game proved to be a pitcher’s duel throughout the first four innings, with neither team able to scratch across a run. With the game in a scoreless tie going into the bottom of the fifth, the UNI bats exploded. A Redbird misplay in the outfield allowed UNI pinch runner Maggie Erpelding to score, which was then followed by a Sammy Moss tworun single two batters later. Left fielder Madison Parks reached on an infield single allowing Moss to score, and with two more runners reaching the base in the inning, UNI catcher Emmy Wells came to the plate. Needing four runs to complete the eight-run mercy rule, Wells crushed a no-doubt grand slam home run over the left-center field wall to cap the game at an 8-0 Panther victory. Ross took the loss for Illinois State, allowing eight total runs with none of them earned runs. Packard was magnificent in the circle for the Panthers as she only allowed one hit and struck out eight Redbirds en route to her 16th win on the season. Game two of the series opened up the Sunday doubleheader. Packard again matched up with Ross in the circle, but this one would be nothing like the first game of the series. The Illinois State offense came to play early, roughing up Packard for four runs in their half of the third inning. This game had a back-and-forth nature to it, with each team answering the other. The Redbirds had built a 5-2 lead in the fourth inning, when UNI third baseman Brooke Snider hit a long fly to straight-away center field, and appeared to be pushed over the wall with the help of the strong wind gusts. The ballgame went into the bottom of the sixth tied at sixth. UNI’s Mya Dodge brought home pinch runner Hannah Isely with an RBI single to edge the Panthers out in front 7-6. Needing just three more outs to close the game, Illinois State pushed home a run on an infield single. However, in the UNI seventh, Snider again came through in the clutch. She batted a fly ball to right field just far enough to allow Kylee Sanders to tag up from third and score the winning run in game two. Samantha Heyer picked up the win in relief for UNI, with Ross again the losing pitcher for Illinois State. Packard allowed six runs, two earned runs and walked five Redbirds in the contest. Game three started out with a bang for the Purple and Gold. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, the red-hot Wells dug in again. Much like on Saturday, she punished another pitch over the center field wall for her second grand slam in as many days. The quick 4-0 lead provided Heyer with plenty of run support throughout the contest. A Taylor Hogan three-run blast in the bottom of the fifth extended the UNI lead to 7-1, and minus a few blemishes this game was a gem from Heyer. She tossed a complete game, only allowing five hits and three runs. The Panthers took the rubber match of the series 7-3 on Sunday afternoon. UNI remains in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference with a near-perfect 17-1 record and 26-11 overall. They have won their last 13 games and will look to keep the good times coming next weekend when they host Indiana State at RobinsonDresser. A doubleheader is scheduled on Saturday, with games tentatively planned for 12 and 2 p.m. Game three is planned for 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.

Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics

UNI softball is in the midst of a great season, winning their last 13 games and are currently leading the Missouri Valley Conference with a 17-1 record in league play.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

TRACK & FIELD

APRIL 25, 2022 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 52

Nine champions crowned at Musco Twighlitght

DAVID WARRINGTON

Associate Sports Editor

This past Saturday, the UNI men’s and women’s track and field teams took the short trip to the Francis X. Cretzmeyer Track in Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the 2022 Musco Twilight, hosted by the University of Iowa. In a field of strong competitors, several Panthers managed to rise to the top, with eight individuals claiming the top prize in their events, as well as one relay. In the 100-meter dash, Isaiah Trousil blew past his competition, taking the top prize with a time of 10.32 seconds. Trousil didn’t stop there, as he also took home top honors in the 200, blazing through the half-lap in 20.73 seconds, just in front of teammate Tayshaun Cooper, who came in second at 21.32. Sophia Jungling put together a great run in the 800 meters, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:10.17. It came down to a sprint at the end, as she beat out Iowa’s Amber Aesoph by just .04 seconds. Panther athletes also found a large amount of in the field events. In his sixth and final throw, Tom Yezek converted a toss of 185 feet, 10 inches in the discus to win the event. Yezek wasn’t the only thrower to shine on Saturday, as Darius King looked great in the shot put, winning with an effort of 66 feet, 5.75 inches. In the women’s high jump, Rylie Todd took home top honors, clearing the bar at 5 feet, 9.25 inches. In the men’s pole vault, Teddy Allen got the victory, clearing 13 feet, 5.25 inches. The men’s long jump was where the Panthers truly dominated, as UNI swept the podium. Blair Brooks took third, Carter Morton was second, and Parker Kiewiet managed a jump of 24 feet, 5 inches to secure the win. The Panthers also managed a victory in the women’s 4x400 meter relay, as the team of Auriona Kimbrough, Emily Vos, Jungling, and Jill Bennett finished in 3:47.79. UNI’s second team also managed to finish on the podium in this event, as Erin Kerkhoff, Katie Nimrod, Paishence Johnson, and Libby Wedewer finished third in 3:53.52. Next up for the Panthers will be the Drake Relays at Drake Stadium’s infamous blue oval, Thursday, April 27 until Saturday, April 30. After that, UNI will take trips to Indianola College and the University of Wisconsin before returning to Drake Stadium for the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, Friday, May 13 through Sunday, May 15.

Courtesy Photo/UNI Athletics

The UNI track & field teams had strong showings at the Musco Twighlight meet in Iowa City this past Saturday. They will look forward to the Drake Relays this week.

TENNIS UNI tennis falls to Bradley in MVC tournament

DREW HILL

Sports Writer

This past Friday, UNI women’s tennis played their final game of the 2022 season against the Bradley Braves in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. UNI was the number-six seed, entering the tournament with a 5-13 record overall and a 1-6 record in conference play. Bradley was the number-three seed, entering the tournament with a 9-13 record and a 3-2 MVC record. The doubles matchups were close. UNI’s Andrijana Brkic and Thaissa Moreira fell 6-4 to Bozana Lojpur and Nicola Perlwitz. Emma Carr and Issa Sullivan also fell to Nina Marjanovic and Maria Bezmenova 6-4. The final doubles match between Kristin Hailey and Madalena Andrade for the Braves and Darta Dalecka and Lorena Cardoso for the Panthers was tied at 6-6, but since Bradley had already clinched the doubles point with two wins, the game was abandoned. Bradley added two quick singles wins to take a 3-0 lead. Sullivan fell to Perlwitz in sets of 6-1 and 6-3, and Carr fell to Andrade in sets of 7-6 and 6-2. The Panthers took the next two singles matches to cut the lead to one at 3-2. First, Dalecka knocked off Lojpur, winning the first and third sets at 6-3 and 6-4, but dropping the second set 7-5. Cardoso then took down Hailey by coming back after dropping the first set 6-3 with sets of 7-6 and 6-2. UNI’s Moreira faced Marjanovic with the chance to tie the score at three, but fell in three sets, winning the second set 7-6, but losing the other two sets 6-3 and 6-4. This gave Bradley the 4-2 win. Since the game was decided, the final singles match between Brkic and Bezmenova was abandoned. Bezmenova won the first set 7-5 and was leading in set three 4-2, with Brkic winning the second set 7-6. The Purple and Gold ended the 2022 spring season with a 5-14 record. None of the six players who played in this game were seniors, meaning UNI can build on this season by returning key players who have added experience throughout this season.

Across

1 Aboveboard 6 Triumphant cries 10 Hurdle for a jr. 14 Lose some ground 15 Berry rich in antioxidants 16 "Pygmalion" author 17 *Star of Comedy Central's "Insomniac" 19 Sleek, in car talk 20 Best replacement? 21 Exercises, in a way 23 Daily Planet VIP 25 Insensitive 26 "The Good Wife" field 29 Man cave fixture 32 Caller in a mask 35 Get up 37 Dupe 38 "bye 4 now" 39 Praise 40 Big letters in home security 41 Islamic decree 42 "Of __ curls on calmed brows": E.B. Browning 43 City where Perry's flagship Niagara is exhibited 44 "Which is to say ... " 45 Viewed 46 1988 Oscar winner for Best Picture 48 Bread for Reubens 49 Roasting aid 51 Shutter piece 53 Smooches 57 Justice Kagan 60 Snack with a Thins variety 61 *Home business? 64 Layer on a wall 65 Not again? 66 Mall map symbol 67 Press supplies 68 Got up 69 "I rock!"

Down

1 Spearheaded 2 Big Band and Swing 3 C-SPAN subject 4 Often unreachable goal 5 Fragrant hybrid blooms 6 Bean topper? 7 Didn't have to putt on 8 Angel hair topper 9 10-Down feature 10 Item in a five-section Bible book 11 *Popular cosmetic moisturizer 12 Boomer advocacy group 13 Ark units 18 Tidy cut 22 Lexus GX, e.g. 24 Exotic vacation 26 Lures for anglers? 27 Its capital is Oranjestad 28 *Leonardo DiCaprio feature 30 "The Kiss" sculptor 31 Symbols on poles 33 Classic hit that begins "And now, the end is near" 34 Control tower concern 36 Lad 38 Highland cap 41 Ultimate authority ... or what's hidden in the answers to starred clues 43 Issue an embarrassing retraction 46 2016 Olympics city 47 On the safer side 50 Maps out 52 Aquarium fish 53 Point sets, in math 54 One is often used in the rough 55 Ball game 56 Santa's burden 58 __ a one 59 Tiny energy source 62 Finch creator 63 Woolly mom Today is an 8 — Relax with someone charming. Imagine dreams come true. What would it take? Get playful and have fun. Advance a passion project. Discuss options and possibilities.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Focus on domestic harmony. Take advantage of favorable conditions to make a change. Clean and beautify your spaces. Love is the bottom line.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — You’re especially clever and creative. Write, sketch and elaborate your vision. An artistic dream seems within reach. Network and connect. Grab a lucky opportunity.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Catch a profitable surge. A dreamy situation can develop. Luck follows your own initiative. Imagine success and go for it. Buy, sell and negotiate terms.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Take charge of your destiny. Try a new direction. Pursue a fascinating passion or dream. Ask for what you want. Use your persuasive charms.

APRIL 25, 2022 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 52

Today's Horoscope

Today’s Birthday (04/25/22). Professional expansion flowers this year. Determination and persistence build your great portfolio. You’re especially beautiful, talented and charismatic this spring, before summer changes redirect a collaboration. Discovering new or renewed partnership and romance next autumn inspire personal changes next winter. Develop exciting career opportunities.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Rest and relax. You’re especially imaginative and creative. Plan and envision. Determine the steps, supplies and logistics to realize a dream. Make preparations.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Connect with your people. Unexpected lucky opportunities arise in conversation. Let others know what you’re up to. Share resources, experiences and laughter.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Professional dreams seem within reach. Take advantage of lucky conditions to push ahead. Put your heart into your work. Your influence is on the rise.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Adventure calls you outside. Investigate intriguing possibilities. An educational opportunity is worth developing. Widen your exploration with dreamy conditions. Grab a lucky break.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Focus on practical details. Collaborate to grow shared assets and securities. Strategize and coordinate tasks. Manage taxes, insurance or legal matters. Profits are available.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Work with a talented partner to advance a shared dream. Take advantage of lucky conditions. Collaborate on a matter of the heart. Romance can flower.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Keep practicing your moves. Dreams seem within reach. Physical actions go farther than expected. Aim for optimal performance. Express your heart in your work.

April 25, 2022

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) —

Puzzle Answers

Want to see more of us? Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

What's in the newsletter? We share highlights from news to opinion. It's the perfect way to catch up on everything Northern Iowan!

Scan the QR code and wait for our email on Fridays!