Hawkeyes Swept By Michigan

April 18, 2004

Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score

IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team dropped its first conference games Sunday when Michigan took both games of a doubleheader at Pearl Field. The ninth-ranked Wolverines won both games by the score of 3-1.

Iowa’s record falls to 29-17 (8-2), while Michigan ups its mark to 36-7 (10-1).

In game one, Michigan jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first by pounding our four hits on Iowa starter Lisa Birocci. The Wolverines got two-out, RBI doubles from Jennifer Olds and Jessie Merchant.

In the sixth, Michigan upped its lead to 3-0 with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Grace Luetele.

Iowa made on last attempt in the bottom of the seventh, getting an RBI single from Sarah Thomson and bringing the winning run to the plate, but Nicole Motyka got Ali Arnold to pop out to center and end the game.

In game two, the Wolverines again jumped out to an early first inning lead with an RBI single from Angie Churchill. They took a 2-0 lead in the fifth with a Motyka double to centerfield.

Iowa cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the sixth when Kylie Murray ripped a single that brought Natalie Johnson home, but Michigan answered in the bottom of the inning with an rBI from Tiffany Haas that pushed the score to 3-1.

Once again, Iowa wouldn’t go away and brought the winning run to the plate, but Motyka was able to get out of the jam and give Michigan the win.

Iowa returns to action Tuesday afternoon with a doublheader with Northern Iowa. Game one is set for 4 p.m. at Pearl Field.

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