March 12, 2005
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Sunnyvale, CA – The University of Iowa softball team defeated San Jose State, 5-4 but fell to second-ranked California 7-2 in day two at the National Invitational Softball Tournament. The Hawkeyes will now compete in the consolation bracket on Sunday.
The Hawkeyes scored four of their five runs off home runs in game one against San Jose State. Stacy May homered in the bottom of the fifth to tie the score at 1-1. Natalie Johnson hit a solo bomb in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score once again at 2-2. Iowa tacked on two more runs in the sixth when Brandi Sargent blasted a two-run home run to put the Hawkeyes up 5-2. San Jose State scored two runs in the top half of the seventh, but couldn’t plate the go ahead run.
Lisa Birocci earned her 10th win of the season. The senior gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out five in seven innings of work.
Next up for Iowa was the second-ranked California Golden Bears in the semifinals. Cal scored a run in both the first and second innings to gain an early 2-0 lead. Mindy Heidgerken led off the top of the fifth with a double and Stacy May followed with a single. May then stole second base which put two runners in scoring position for Kylie Murray, who doubled into centerfield to tie the game. Two costly errors in the bottom of the fifth led to three Cal runs, which proved to be the difference. Stacy May was the lone Hawkeye to collect multiple, going 2-4 with a run scored.
Ali Arnold threw the first three innings of the game and gained a no decision while Lisa Birocci picked up the loss. Arnold allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three. Birocci gave up five runs on six hits and struck out four.
Iowa will face Colorado State at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the consolation bracket of the National Invitational Softball Tournament.