March 26, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Ball State, 5-0 en route to the 2006 Hawkeye Classic championship. The Hawkeyes finished their own tournament with a perfect 4-0 record.
Iowa took advantage of three straight walks in the second inning when junior Mindy Heidgerken ripped a two-RBI double down the left field line, scoring freshmen Rachel West and Erin Riemersma for the first two runs of the contetst. Sophomore Emily Nichols hit a sacrifice fly later in the inning to score senior Stacy May for Iowa’s third run of the inning.
The Hawkeyes added two more runs in the third frame for a 5-0 lead. Pinch runner Callie Adreon scored on an RBI single by junior Emily Gerlick while junior Jenna Spratt stole home on a double steal. Gerlick was thrown out at second on the double steal but the throw allowed Spratt to take home easily.
Freshman pitcher Brittany Weil threw a solid game for the Hawkeyes, recording her third shutout of the season. Weil allowed only two hits and had a no-hitter through five and two-thirds innings. The Hawkeye defense was solid behind Weil, who recorded six strikeouts on the day.
Riemersma finished 2-2 with a run scored to lead the Iowa offense. Three other Hawkeyes picked up hits against Ball State.
Iowa will return to Pearl Field Wednesday against Upper Iowa. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.