Iowa Sweeps Michigan State in Big Ten Doubleheader

April 4, 2004

Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score

IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team upped its Big Ten record to 4-0 with a sweep of Michigan State in a doubleheader Sunday at Pearl Field. Iowa won both games by a score of 8-2. The Hawkeyes are now 22-15 (4-0) while the Spartans fell to 19-13 (1-3).

Hawkeye senior Sarah Thomson had a monster day, going a combined 5-for-7 with six RBIs, three doubles, a triple and a home run. In game two alone, Thomson was a single short of hitting for the cycle.

Sophomore Stacy May also had a huge day, going 6-of-8 with three runs scored and two doubles.

The Hawkeyes fell into an early 1-0 hole in the first game when starting pitcher Jessica Beach hit a solo home run. Iowa came right back in the bottom of the inning when leadoff hitter Natalie Johnson answered with a solo shot of her own. The home run was Johnson’s team-leading third of the season.

Iowa put the game away in the bottom of the third with four runs off four hits, led by Thomson’s three-run bases loaded double.

The Hawkeyes added two runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth to take the win. Ali Arnold, who pitched five and two-thirds innings of relief, picked up the win.

In game two, the Iowa offense kept rolling and pounded out 13 hits on the Spartan pitching staff. Lisa Birocci went the distance, allowing only five hits and striking out seven.

Iowa returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Northern Illinois at 4 p.m.

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