The UNI baseball team takes sole possession of the Missouri Valley Conference lead into this weekend’s series at home against Creighton. The Panthers are 7-1 in the Valley and have won seven straight games.
Panther coach Rick Heller says they put themselves in a good position and now have the chance to make run at it. Heller hopes to get ace pitcher Nick Kirk who has been sidelined with a sore arm back. Heller says a strength of this year’s team has been its experience, and says it’s probably the best group they’ve had since 2001.
Heller says a deep batting order is a big plus, as other teams can’t pitch around anybody. Creighton is 7-5 in the Valley and Heller says the Panthers hope to keep riding their momentum. He says you have to play with an even keel and not get caught up in the tradition of the other teams. Heller says right now they’re hustling and playing hard and having fun. He says things are easier when you’re winning and that’s what is happening right now. The teams will open with a single game on Friday night.