Sun Devils Down Iowa, 8-1

Feb. 19, 2006

Tempe, AZ – The University of Iowa softball team was defeated by Arizona State 8-1 in the final game of the Littlewood Classic Sunday. Iowa’s record now stands at 6-4 overall.

Arizona State got on the board early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first off a bases loaded error and a sacrifice fly by ASU’s Heidi Knabe. The Sun Devils added two more runs in the bottom of the third off a home run by Knabe to increase their lead to 4-0.

May smoked a fly ball to deep center field in the fourth inning but for the second straight day was robbed of a home run. Arizona State centerfielder Katie Cochran reached over the fence and grabbed the ball for the out. May had a home run taken away by the ASU leftfielder in Saturday’s game as well.

The Sun Devils increased their lead to 8-0 in the bottom of the fourth off an RBI single by Cochran and a three-run home run by Knabe.

Iowa added one run in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Erin Riemersma led off the inning with a single and reached second off an error by the ASU third baseman. Riemersma then scored off another throwing error by Arizona State in a ground ball double-play attempt.

Riemersma collected two of Iowa’s three hits on the day. Sophomore Emily Nichols and junior Emily Gerlick collected Iowa’s other hits.

Senior Ali Arnold threw three innings in the loss. Arnold gave up four runs on six hits while striking out one. Freshman Brittany Weil threw three innings of relief and gave allowed four runs on five hits and struck out three.

The Hawkeyes travel to Columbus, GA next weekend to compete in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Iowa will face Louisiana-Lafayette Friday at 1:30 p.m. in opening round action.