Game Notes

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Aces softball will host conference opponent Northern Iowa this coming weekend, April 6-7, for a three-game series at Cooper Stadium. UE will face the Panthers in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 12:00 p.m. CST before wrapping up the weekend on Sunday for a single game also beginning at 12:00 p.m. CST.
 
Evansville is coming off a 1-3 week in which their single game win came against Southeast Missouri State. The Aces have combined for a .232 batting average so far this season while being in the top three in the Missouri Valley for stolen bases, sacrifice flies, and triples.
 
UE is led by senior Tamara Robey at the offensive position as she has converted 35 hits out of her 99 appearances at the plate and currently leads the Aces with 25 runs scored, three triples, and 20 stolen bases out of 22 attempts. Senior pitcher Sarah Patterson has completed 85.1 innings of work in the circle in which she has tallied a perfect game, three shutouts, and has struck out 77. Patterson is leading the pitching staff with a 6-6 record on the season as well as holding a 2.46 ERA.
 
Scouting the Opponent
 
Northern Iowa (13-19, 3-4 Missouri Valley Conference)
 
Northern Iowa enters this weekend series with a 13-19 record, with wins against conference opponents Southern Illinois and Missouri State. The Panthers were picked third in the MVC Preseason poll after being named regular-season champions during the 2012 season.
 
Nicole Fisher leads the Panthers at the hitting position with a .296 batting average out of 54 appearances at the plate. While recording two doubles and five home runs on the season, Fisher has tallied 14 runs, notched eight RBIs, and has gone 3-for-4 in stolen bases.  With a .295 batting average out of 78 at-bats, Micalla Rettinger also proves to be an offensive force for Northern Iowa. Rettinger has notched four doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs, and 12 runs in all 30 starts.
 
Jamie Fisher, who was named MVC Pitcher of the Year and MVC All-Conference First Team for last season’s performance, leads the pitching staff this season with 135.2 innings pitched and a 2.37 ERA. Fisher has struck out 104 and has recorded 17 complete games with two shutouts for the Panthers, making her 10-10 on the season.
 
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