March 12, 2004
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SAN JOSE – The University of Iowa softball team was defeated by No. 8 Washington, 8-2, in its first game at the National Softball Invitaional in San Jose, CA. The Hawkeyes then defeated Santa Clara, 4-1, in the nightcap.
Iowa (10-7) was plagued by shakey fielding in game one, committing three errors in the game.
Washington jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Hawkeyes cut the lead to two in the fourth with a two-run blast off the bat of Natalie Johnson. The sophomore was 2-of-3 with a run scored and two RBIs.
The Huskies responed with a run in the bottom of the inning, then put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth with three runs.
Lisa Birocci pitched three innings and took the loss for Iowa.
The Hawkeyes rebounded against Santa Clara behind the arm of sophomore Ali Arnold, who threw a one-hitter. The Bloomington, IL, native struck out eight while walking only one in running her record to 6-3.
Freshman Mindy Heidgerken led the way offensively for Iowa, going 2-for-2 with a run scored an RBI. She also swiped a pair of bases.
The Hawkeyes will play Syracuse Saturday at 2 p.m. If they win, Iowa will play the winner of No. 3 California and Minnesota. If they lose they will play the loser of that game.