May 9, 2004
URBANA, IL – The University of Iowa softball team was defeated by the University of Illinois, 5-2, Sunday at Eichelberger Field. The Hawkeyes fall to 38-21 with a 14-6 mark in the Big Ten, while Illinois is 39-18-1 with a 14-6 conference mark.
Iowa and Illinois finish the regular season in a tie for second place in the Big Ten, however the Fighting Illini will be the No. 2 seed at the Big Ten Tournament due to their better head-to-head record. Iowa will be the No. 3 seed next weekend in Ann Arbor.
Both Iowa runs came on solo home runs by Natalie Johnson and Emily Gerlick. The Hawkeyes recorded six hits on the day.
Johnson gave the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead in the first with a lead-off home run, her fifth of the year.
Illinois responded in the top of the second by putting up three runs off a sacrifice fly and a two-run single from Sarah Baumgartner.
Gerlick cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth with her fourth home run of the year, but Illinois put two more on the board for a 5-2 lead in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Ali Arnold took the loss for Iowa, and is now 17-10.
The Hawkeyes will next compete in the Big Ten Tournament, which will be held in Ann Arbor, MI, starting Thursday.