April 3, 2004
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball picked up their second win over No. 25 Northwestern Saturday, taking a Big Ten contest at Pearl Field, 6-1. Iowa ups its record to 20-15 (2-0) while Northwestern falls to 14-10 (0-2).
For the second-consecutive game, the Wildcats jumped out and took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly from Garland Cooper.
The Hawkeyes came storming back in the top of the fourth, sending nine players to the plate and taking a 4-1 lead. Kylie Murray led off with a walk, followed by a chopping single from Sami Baugh. Lisa Birocci then brought pinch runner Jenna Spratt home on a double to the rightfield wall. Baugh then came around on a Laura Chipman single, giving Iowa the lead. RBI singles from Natalie Johnson and Amanda Hentges rounded out the scoring in the fourth.
Iowa struck again in the top of the seventh, getting an RBI double from Murray and a costly Northwestern error that score Hentges.
Lisa Birocci struck out eight batters in seven innings pitched and picked up her ninth win of the season.
Chipman, Johnson and Emily Gerlick each had a pair of hits for Iowa.
Iowa will take on Michigan State in a Sunday doubleheader at Pearl Field. Game one is set to begin at Noon.