Feb. 12, 2005
Deland, FL –
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The University of Iowa softball team opened its 2005 campaign by splitting a pair of games at the Stetson Invitational on Saturday. The Hawkeyes beat Virginia Tech 8-0 in six innings and lost to Stetson 6-2.
Iowa came out on fire in game one, scoring three runs in its half of the first inning. The Hawkeye bats then went silent until a four-run fourth inning. Sophomore Mindy Heidgerken picked up her second hit of the game on a single to right field, knocking in Natalie Johnson and Lisa Birrocci. Heidgerken was 2-3 on the day.
Lisa Birocci dominated inside the circle, throwing a one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts. Birocci walked only one Hokie batter.
In game two, Stetson used a five-run second inning to jump out to an early lead and the Hawkeyes couldn’t rebound.
Ali Arnold picked up the loss for Iowa. Freshman Steph Ackerson saw her first action in the circle for the Hawkeyes, throwing three innings of relief. Birocci threw one inning of relief for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa will get another shot at Virginia Tech (9 a.m. CT) and Stetson (11:30 a.m. CT) on Sunday.