LINCOLN, Neb. – The University of Iowa softball team dropped a midweek doubleheader against Nebraska on Tuesday evening at Bowlin Stadium. The Hawkeyes fell in extra innings in game one, 1-0, before dropping game two, 7-6, on a walk-off home run in the seventh.
Senior Grace Banes led the Hawkeyes offensively in game two going 2-for-4 with two home runs, including a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the seventh. Banes had four putouts and an assist in centerfield.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Sophomore Jalen Adams (9-11) got the start for the Hawkeyes in game one. Both teams were kept quiet through three innings. Nebraska was able to get two on in the bottom of the fourth, but Adams left them stranded as the inning came to a close.
The Hawkeyes and Huskers each showed some life in the sixth as they had runners reach, but neither team was able to score. The game went into extra innings scoreless. Iowa had one runner reach in the top of the eighth but was not able to get her into scoring position. Nebraska had their first two runners reach on singles and the Hawkeyes recorded the next two outs. The Huskers ended the game on a walk-off RBI double.
Iowa finished the game with no runs on six hits and no errors.
Game 2
Junior Haley Downe (1-1) got the start for Iowa in game two. Banes started the game by robbing a home run in centerfield for out number one. Following two quiet innings for both teams, the Huskers opened the third inning having their first two hitters reach on hits that forced an Iowa pitching change. Freshman Jaylee Ojo entered in relief for Downe. Nebraska plated four runs in the inning to take the early lead.
Banes answered for Iowa in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to cut the Nebraska lead to three. In the top of the fifth, senior Sammy Diaz plated two on an RBI single to make it 4-3. The Huskers responded in the home half of the inning to push their lead back to two.
Sophomore Tory Bennett and Diaz reached to start the top of the seventh. Banes gave Iowa its first lead, 6-5, of the day as she sent a ball over the wall in leftfield for a three-run home run.
Adams came into the game for the Hawkeyes in the bottom of the seventh and was able to get two outs with one runner on. The Huskers ended the game on a two-run home run for their second walk off win of the day.
Iowa finished the game with six runs on 12 hits and two errors.
UP NEXT
Iowa (16-23, 4-13) returns home on Friday for their final home series of the season as they welcome Minnesota to Bob Pearl Field.