Only lightning could shut down the University of Northern Iowa softball team as they dominated Western Illinois University Tuesay in what was supposed to be a midweek nonconference doubleheader. The Panthers took game one of the series by a score of 8-0 in five innings before game two was cancelled due to lightning.

With the victory, the Panthers (25-9) have now won 12 straight games, their longest winning streak since 1989 and their longest ever as a Division I program. The Panthers are still six victories shy of tying the all-time school record of 18 consecutive victories in 1977.

After the two teams combined for zero runs and six runners left on base in the first two innings of play, the Panthers finally found the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. With runners on first and second base, Gina Brown hit a two-RBI double to give the Panthers an early 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, UNI struck again. With the bases loaded, Brown reached base on a walk, which extended the UNI lead to 3-0. The next batter, Courtney Dunker, hit a three-RBI triple to expand the Panther lead to 6-0. After yet another scoreless inning pitched by senior Jaye Hutcheson, UNI would put their final mark on the game with a two-run fifth inning leading to an 8-0 victory.

Hutcheson picked up her 10th win of the season, giving up five hits and striking out two batters in five innings of work on the mound. Whitney Plein, Laura Turner, and Mackenzie Daigh all led the Panthers with two hits apiece. Brown and Dunker led the Panthers with three RBIs each.

UNI will try to extend their winning streak this weekend as they face the Drake University Bulldogs for a three-game series in Cedar Falls. Game one is set for 4 p.m. Friday at Robinson Dresser Field. Games two and three will be part of a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.