WICHITA, Kan. - The Shocker softball team lost a pair of heart breakers to Northern Iowa Saturday at Wilkins Stadium. The Panthers took game one, 8-6, and repeated their late inning magic in game two, winning 6-5.

In the first game of Saturday's doubleheader Northern Iowa jumped out to an early 4-0 lead through two innings before Wichita State reeled off six consecutive runs scoring two in the third innings and four in the fourth.

The fourth inning was keyed by a two-run triple by Rachel Milnark to knot the game at 4-4. Milnark then came home on a wild pitch from Panther starter Jamie Fisher to give the Shockers their first lead of the day. Erin Carney then hit a solo home run off the scoreboard in left field to increase the Wichita State lead to 6-4.

The Panthers inched closer in the fifth inning scoring one run but leaving the bases loaded after Sloan Anderson came in in relief.

Both teams went scoreless in the sixth before Samantha Reimer hit a three-run go ahead home run to centerfield in the top of the seventh to put the Panthers up 8-6.

The Shockers were unable to mount a final comeback in the seventh eventually falling by the, 8-6, final tally.

Jessica Severinsen earned the victory in relief for Northern Iowa throwing three hitless innings.

Game two was another drama filled affair that had a déjà vu look for the Shockers. The Panthers again gained an early 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Carney responded again with a three-run home run to centerfield in the bottom of the inning to give the Shockers a 3-2 lead after one inning.

The Panthers were able to regain the lead in the fourth inning on a two-run homer to right field by Whitney Plein. Northern Iowa tacked on another run in the inning to extend their lead to 5-3.

Wichita State rallied again in the fifth inning getting a two-run single from Melanie Jaegers to tie the game, 5-5.

In the seventh inning Courtney Dunker lifted a sacrifice fly into right field that proved to be the game winner.

The three game series concludes at 12 p.m. Sunday at Wilkins Stadium.

 

-WICHITA STATE-