March 24, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team opened the 2006 home campaign with a 5-0 victory over Loyola-Chicago Friday at the Hawkeye Classic. The Hawkeyes improved their record to 14-12 overall.
Iowa scored three runs in the bottom of the second to jump out to an early lead. Freshman Quinn Morelock started the inning with a walk and sophomore Summer Downs reached first on a Loyola error. Junior Sami Baugh followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt, but the Loyola pitcher threw the ball to third and Morelock beat the throw. Freshman Erin Riemersma took advantage with the bases loaded and roped a two-RBI single to right field for the first runs of the contest. Senior Stacy May then hit a line shot to first base that was mishandled, allowing Baugh to score from third.
The Hawkeyes added another run in the bottom of the next frame. Sophomore Emily Nichols led off with a single and junior Emily Gerlick took her place at first. Senior Kylie Murray hit a ground ball that was dropped by the Loyola first baseman and a hustling Gerlick scored from first to make the score 4-0.
Baugh made the Iowa lead 5-0 in the fifth inning with an RBI single to right field. The single scored Murray, who reached base on a walk and advanced on back-to-back singles by freshman Colleen McGlaughlin and Downs.
Nichols collected two of Iowa’s six hits while Riemersma tallied two RBI.
Freshman pitcher Brittany Weil was impressive in her home debut, striking out a career-high 13 batters. Weil struck out the side to end the game and allowed only three hits in the complete game shutout.
Iowa returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader in the Hawkeye Classic. The Hawkeyes face South Dakota State at 3 p.m. and North Dakota State at 5 p.m.