April 18, 2005
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The Setting
The University of Iowa softball team (37-9, 8-4) hosts Iowa State (13-25, 1-10) in the final event of the first annual HyVee Cy-Hawk series Tuesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and free for UI students and children five or younger.
The Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series
Hy-Vee, Inc., in conjunction with Hawkeye Sports Properties, a division of Learfield Communications and Cyclone Sports Marketing, a division of Clear Channel and ESPN Regional, reached an agreement with Iowa State University and the University of Iowa to serve as the title sponsor for the schools’ Cy-Hawk Series – the name given to the collection of regular-season, head-to-head intercollegiate athletic events featuring Cyclone and Hawkeye teams.
Intercollegiate athletic teams from Iowa and Iowa State will square off in head-to-head competition nine different times during the 2004-05 academic year.
Two points are awarded for an institution if the student-athlete graduation rate for all student-athletes is greater than the national average for all student-athletes, according to the annual graduation rate report issued each September/October by the NCAA.
Iowa currently leads the Cy-Hawk series, 9-8 and can clinch the title with a win at Pearl Field on Tuesday.
Iowa Tops Ohio State
The Hawkeyes used a three-run third inning to defeat Ohio State, 4-1 last Friday. Iowa collected nine hits, including home runs from Stacy May and Mindy Heidgerken.
May hit a two-run home run in the third to put the Hawkyes up, 2-0. Summer Downs followed with a double to right center and Sami Baugh singled to right, scoring Downs for a 3-0 lead. Heidgerken scored Iowa’s final run in the fourth when she blasted her second home run of the season.
Lisa Birocci went the distacnce and collected her 20th win of the season. Birocci gave up no earned runs and struck out three.
Comeback Kids Down Ohio State
Iowa scored six unanswered runs to defeat Ohio State, 6-2 and earned a series sweep over the Buckeyes.
After Ohio State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first, Iowa responded with a three-run third inning. Stacy May hit a two-run double and Kylie Murray singled, plating Jenna Spratt to put Iowa up, 3-2.
The Hawkeyes added two more in the fourth when Natalie Johnson scored on a fielding error and Lisa Birocci scored on a fielder’s choice.
Emily Nichols scored the final run in the fifth on a fielding error by the Ohio State third baseman.
Ali Arnold threw just over three innings and picked up the win, while Birocci earned her sixth save of the season.
Hawkeyes Sweep Penn State
The Hawkeyes swept a doubleheader against Penn State on Sunday to improve their record to 37-9 overall and 8-4 in the Big Ten. Iowa won the first game 3-1 and two, 5-1.
Lisa Birocci led the Hawkeyes both offensively and in the circle in game one. The senior threw a complete game and allowed only one run on six hits and struck out six. She also was 2-3 with three RBI and smashed her third home run of the season.
In game two, Iowa scored one run in the bottom of the first for an early advantage. Emily Nichols hit her 15th home run of the season in the third to cap a three-run inning and the Hawkeyes scored an insurance run in the sixth to secure the victory.
Ali Arnold threw a complete game and allowed one run on four hits and struck out 11.
Scouting Iowa State
The Iowa State Cyclones are 13-25 overall and 1-10 in the Big 12 Confernce.
Katie Reichling leads the Cyclone offense. She is batting .287 with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs and nine RBI. Cary Akins and Kim Rodgers lead the team with 14 RBI.
Reichling is also Iowa State’s leading pitcher. She has a 6-9 record with a 2.89 ERA. Alyssa Ransom leads the Cyclones with 85 strikeouts.
Iowa State leads the all-time series, 28-25-1.
Last Meeting
Lisa Birocci pitched seven shutout innings while striking out 10 in a 4-0 victory against the Cyclones last season. Birocci helped her cause by blasting a two-run home run in the top of the second.
We’re Goin’ Sreaking
The Hawkeyes have won seven straight games, dating back to their sweep against Indiana. Iowa rode an eight game winning streak before a 7-2 defeat by California earlier this season.
Heidgerken Has Solid Week
Sophomore centerfielder Mindy Heidgerken hit .571 (8-14) with a home run, two triples, a double and four RBI in five games last week. Heidgerken is currently in the middle of a seven game hitting streak and leads the Hawkeyes with 16 stolen bases. She is batting .292 on the season.
Movin’ On Up
Junior pitcher Ali Arnold is currently sixth on the all-time career strikeout list. She has 411 K’s in her career and has passed Diane Roorda, who recorded 389 strikeouts in her four-year career. Next on the list is current pitching coach Debbie Bilbao, who sits in fifth place with 476 K’s.
Birocci Becomes Strikeout Leader
With seven strikeouts against Northern Illinois, Lisa Birocci became Iowa’s all-time career strikeout leader. Birocci struck out seven of the 10 batters she faced in three innings of relief work to pass former Hawkeye all-American Kristi Hanks. Birocci’s career total stands at 839.
Team Sets Home Run Record
Freshman Emily Nichols blasted two home runs against Northern Illinois, increasing the team total to 42 homers on the season, which shattered the school record for team home runs in a season. The previous school record was 41 home runs, set by the 2003 squad. The Hawkeyes currently have 46 home runs this season.
Nichols Sets School Record
Freshman Emily Nichols entered the record books against Ball State on March 26, blasting her 11th home run which broke the single-season record. She leads the team in seven different offensive categories and has a season total of 15 homers.
Gerlick Undergoes Surgery
Junior outfielder Emily Gerlick underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL on March 15. Gerlick suffered the ACL tear during Iowa’s opening weekend at the Stetson Invitational on February 13. She will be out for the season