March 29, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Upper Iowa, 8-0 in five innings Wednesday at Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes used two home runs and five extra base hits to improve their record to 18-12 entering Big Ten play.
Iowa wasted no time scoring, plating one run in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Emily Nichols was hit by a pitch with two outs and senior Kylie Murray followed with an RBI double to the left field fence, scoring Nichols from first.
The Hawkeye bats came alive in the bottom of the third inning with back-to-back home runs for a 5-0 Iowa lead. Junior Mindy Heidgerken belted a two-run home run that twisted around the foul pole which also scored senior Stacy May, who reached base on the second Peacock hit batsmen of the game. Nichols followed on the very next pitch with a line drive shot over the left field fence to make the score 4-0. Murray was next up for Iowa who roped a double to right field and scored off a Sami Baugh single for the final run of the third frame.
Pinch-runner Rachel West scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Erin Riemersma in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 6-0 Iowa advantage. May ended the contest with a two-RBI double, plating sophomore Jenna Spratt and freshman Quinn Morelock for the final 8-0 score.
Eight different Hawkeyes collected hits against Upper Iowa, led by Murray who finished 2-2 with an RBI. May and Heidgerken each collected two RBI.
Starting pitcher Ali Arnold improved her record to 7-5, allowing two hits and striking out six. Sophomore Steph Ackerson threw two innings of relief in her first appearance of the season. Ackerson did not give up a hit or a walk and struck out two batters.
Iowa opens Big Ten play Friday at Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.