May 1, 2004
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Iowa softball team defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-2, Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. Iowa ups its record to 35-19 with a 12-4 mark in the conference. Minnesota falls to 31-20, 8-8 in the Big Ten.
A day after getting no-hit by the Golden Gophers, the Hawkeyes pounded out eight hits on the day, including doubles from Natalie Johnson and Laura Chipman. Johnson was three-of-four on the day with two runs scored and an RBI.
Iowa jumped on the board with a pair of runs in the first inning. Johnson scored on a double steal with Amanda Hentges, who eventually scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kylie Murray.
Minnesota tied things up in the top of the second on an RBI triple and a run-scoring wild pitch. Those were the only two runs Iowa starter Ali Arnold would give up on the day. She threw seven solid innings and allowed just four hits.
Iowa took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Stacy May, then added three more insurance runs in the fourth to take a 6-2 lead.
The Hawkeyes will travel to Madison, WI, for a Sunday doubleheader with the Wisconsin Badgers. Game one is set for noon.