April 2, 2005
Ann Arbor, MI – The University of Iowa softball team came close to upsetting the top ranked Michigan Wolverines once again on Saturday, but fell 3-1. The game was delayed an hour due to inclement weather and conditions during the game were very wet and windy.
Michigan, who was the visiting team on the scoreboard, wasted no time scoring. Tiffany Hass started the game with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Hass moved to third after a passed ball and scored off a Jessica Merchant single to put the Wolverines up, 1-0.
Iowa tied the score in the bottom of the second when Kylie Murray blasted a home run over the right field fence. Brandi Sargent followed with a double down the left side but Michigan pitcher Jennie Ritter was able to get out of the inning.
Michigan pulled ahead in the third inning. Alessandra Giampaolo led off the inning with a single and Merchant laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to second. After a Samantha Findlay ground out, Nicole Motycka hit a two-run homer to secure the win for the Wolverines.
Iowa struggled against Ritter, who improved her record to 15-0. The Hawkeyes were able to collect only three hits and Ritter struck out 10 batters.
Lisa Birocci took the loss for Iowa. She gave up three runs on 10 hits and struck out four.
Iowa travels to Evanston, IL to face the Northwestern Wildcats (23rd/20th) in a doubleheader on Sunday. Game one is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start.