Feb. 29, 2004
LOUISVILLE – The University of Iowa softball team split a pair of games the final day of the Red and Black Tournament held on the campus of the University of Louisville. The Hawkeyes defeated the host Cardinals, 4-0, then fell to Louisville 2-0 in the rematch. Iowa is now 6-3, while Louisville is 11-6.
In game one, Ali Arnold continued her dominance of the 2004 season from the pitching circle. The sophomore hurler tossed a three-hit shutout, struck out eight while walking none.
All the Hawkeye offense came in the top of the third. Sophomore Kylie Murray gave Iowa a 1-0 lead with an RBI double, then classmate Emily Gerlick blasted a three-run home run to stretch the lead to 4-0. The home run was Gerlick’s first. Arnold cruised through the final four innings for the win.
The offense dried up in the second game, as the Hawkeyes were unable to push any runs across in the 2-0 loss.
Starting pitcher Lisa Birocci had a fine outing in taking the loss, allowing only four hits and striking out 12. Louisville broke a scoreless tie in the sixth on an RBI triple from Courtney Moore, then added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run by Aja Sherman.
Iowa will travel to Tampa, FL, next weekend for the Speedline Tournament. The Hawkeyes open with Baylor on Thursday, March 4 at noon, then battle Boston University at 2 p.m. All times are Central.