Hawkeyes Split Day One at Capitol Classic

The University of Iowa split a pair of games at the Sacramento State Capitol Classic Friday, topping Saint Mary’s 7-0 and falling to Utah State 2-1.

The Hawkeyes (15-9) dominated game one against Saint Mary’s (4-18) from the beginning, putting up five runs in the bottom of the second, led by a two-run double from Natalie Johnson and a two-run home run off the bat of Emily Gerlick.

Johnson gave Iowa a 6-0 lead with a lead-off homer in the bottom of the fourth. The sophomore was 2-of-3 with three RBIs on the day. Iowa added an insurance run in the sixth for a 7-0 lead.

Ali Arnold (9-4) picked up the win by scattering three hits over five innings. Lisa Birocci threw two perfect innings to close out the game.

In game two against Utah State (3-14), the Hawkeyes out-hit the Aggies 6-2, but a costly error allowed a pair of unearned runs to cross the plate in the top of the seventh, snapping Iowa’s four-game winning streak.

Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth when an RBI triple from Gerlick plated Elisha Huse. Huse was 2-of-3 on the day.

Birocci threw a solid seven innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight.

Iowa will battle Long Beach State (5 p.m.) and Long Island (7:30 p.m.) Saturday. All times are Central.

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Ali Arnold (9-4) picked up the win by scattering three hits over five innings. Lisa Birocci threw two perfect innings to close out the game.