March 18, 2006
SACRAMENTO, CA – The University of Iowa softball team scored a 5-0 victory over Nevada Saturday at the Capital Classic. Three Hawkeyes collected two hits while senior Ali Arnold threw a complete game, two-hit shutout.
Arnold struck out five batters and walked only two in her fifth complete game of the season. She is now 5-5 with three shutouts on the year.
Iowa struck first with one run in the top of the second. Senior Kylie Murray led off the inning with a walk and freshman Rachel West took her place on first. West then stole second and took third on a sacrifice hit by junior Sami Baugh. West scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of senior Brandi Sargent.
The Hawkeyes posted two runs in both the third and fifth to seal the win. Senior Stacy May and junior Mindy Heidgerken hit back-to-back doubles, followed by an RBI single by sophomore Emily Nichols in the third to plate two runs. Murray and Baugh each roped RBI singles in the fifth for the Hawkeyes.
May, Heidgerken and Nichols each went 2-4 on the day while May and Heidgerken had doubles. Iowa collected nine hits on the day.
Iowa was defeated by sixth-ranked California, 1-0 in the nightcap Saturday. California scored the game-winning run in the third off an RBI double. Freshman Brittany Weil threw all seven innings, allowing one run on seven hits and struck out 10 Golden Bear batters. May and Baugh collected Iowa’s only two hits.
Iowa’s record now stands at 13-11. The Hawkeyes wrap up the Capital Classic against Syracuse Sunday.