DeLand, Fla. - Visiting Northern Iowa (14-9) jumped on the Stetson softball team (12-8) early and often Wednesday afternoon, handing the Hatters an 8-0 five-inning run-rule defeat at Patricia Wilson Field. Senior left fielder Brittany Knipp (Land O'Lakes, Fla.) recorded two of Stetson's three base hits.

UNI first baseman Gina Brown led off the top of the second with the first of her two home runs on the day to start a six-run frame for the Panthers, who also got two RBI singles, an RBI double, an RBI triple and a bases-loaded walk before the nightmare inning concluded.

Brown added an exclamation point to her team's victory with another longball, this one a two-run shot in the top of the fourth. Jessica Severinsen shut out the Hatters on three hits and three walks in five innings to go with two strikeouts.

Two infield singles for Knipp and a bloop single by junior third baseman Jordan Cleghorn (Ball Ground, Ga.) was all the offense Stetson could muster on this day. Sophomore Meredith Owen (Jackson, Miss.) took the loss in the circle, striking out three batters in the process.

Stetson will play again Sunday at Patricia Wilson Field, hosting Houston Baptist in a 1:00 pm doubleheader. Live Stats and Hatter Vision for both games will be available at GoHatters.com.

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