March 18, 2005
Sacramento, CA – The University of Iowa softball team was defeated by Oregon State 6-2, but bounced back with a victory over Long Island 8-0 in five innings at the Capital Classic on Friday. The Hawkeyes combined for a total of 14 hits in the two games.
In game one against Oregon State, Iowa jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Kylie Murray drove in Summer Downs in the top of the first. Oregon State responded with three runs in both the second and third innings to gain a 6-1 lead. Iowa added another run in the top of the seventh when Steph Ackerson hit a double which scored Brandi Sargent. Sargent finished the game 2-3 with a double.
Lisa Birocci took the loss for the Hawkeyes. The senior threw two innings and gave up three runs on four hits and struck out three. Junior Ali Arnold threw four innings of relief and struck out five.
The Hawkeye bats woke up in game two, knocking four balls out of the park. Downs led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to give Iowa a 1-0 advantage. After a Natalie Johnson walk, Birocci hit a two-run home run over the right field fence to put the Hawkeyes up 3-0. Iowa tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning when Stacy May hit a three run home run. Birocci capped off the scoring in the bottom of the fifth with her second home run of the game, this time with a two-run bomb.
Birocci also picked up the win in the circle for the Hawkeyes, throwing five innings of shutout softball and only gave up two hits while striking out four.
Iowa will continue competition at the Capital Classic on Saturday vs. Utah Valley State (2:30 p.m.) and California (5:00 p.m.)