Cedar Falls, IA – Toledo's offense froze on the opening day of the UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls, IA. The Rockets fell, 8-0, to host Northern Iowa in six innings.
 
"I didn't think we were very aggressive today," said head coach Kristen Butler. "I thought our energy was okay coming out for the first game of the season and our defense played well today. However, neither our pitchers or hitters really attacked today."
 
Toledo (0-1) was unable to generate much offense on the day and was limited to just two hits in the contest.
 
The Panthers broke open the game with six runs in the first inning. Sophomore Kailey Minarchick (1IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 0K) was pulled after a pair of doubles and a RBI single led to UNI's lead. Sophomore Heather Webb came in to relieve Minarchick at the top of the second, but the Panthers managed to tack on another run in the frame.
 
The Rockets came close to getting on the board in the top of the fourth. Senior DH Celeste Fidge singled to center field and freshman Samantha Golden entered the game to pinch run. Junior 1B Samantha Showalter singled to left field, and both runners then advanced on a wild pitch. However, UT could not capitalize on the pair of runners in scoring position.
 
"We need to move forward and stay aggressive because we have four more games this weekend," added Butler. "Its important that we don't over look the little things we need to do at the plate. We need to go back to the basics and focus on our hitting approach."
 
The Midnight Blue and Gold return to the dome tomorrow evening for a doubleheader vs. Wisconsin and South Dakota State. Competition begins at 6:00 p.m. EST.