April 8, 2005
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team scored three runs in the fourth inning to defeat the Purdue Boilermakers, 3-2 at Pearl Field on Friday. The Hawkeyes picked up their 30th victory of the season and are 2-3 in Big Ten Conference play.
Purdue jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Tricia Lilley led off the inning with a double into right field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Lilley then scored on a squeeze bunt for the first run of the game.
The Hawkeyes responded in the fourth, scoring all three of their runs with two outs. Brandi Sargent started the rally with a walk and Mindy Heidgerken stole second base after entering as a pinch runner for Sargent. Natalie Johnson drew a walk to put runners on first and second for Summer Downs, who hit a two-run double to put the Hawkeyes in the lead. Stacy May followed with another double, scoring Downs for the final run of the inning.
Purdue added another run in the top of the fifth when Katie Absher scored on a close play at the plate, but solid defense and pitching shut down the Boilermaker offense for the rest of the game.
May led the Hawkeye offense, going 3-3 with an RBI. Downs was 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Kylie Murray played outstanding defense in right field, throwing out Erika Peterson at second base to rob a double in the top of the fourth.
Lisa Birocci picked up her 18th win and 19th complete game of the season. She gave up two runs on six hits and struck out nine.
Iowa and Purdue will face off again Saturday at Pearl Field. Game time is set for 12 p.m.