April 4, 2006
Ames, IA – The University of Iowa softball team defeated intra-state rival Iowa State, 3-2 Tuesday afternoon in Ames. Iowa improved its record to 21-14 overall.
The Hawkeyes plated two runs in the top of the third for an early 2-0 lead. Sophomore Steph Ackerson looped a single and advanced to third off a double by senior Stacy May. Junior Mindy Heidgerken followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to score both Ackerson and May.
The Cyclones nearly plated a run in their half of the fourth off a shallow single by Katie Reichling, but May gathered the ball and threw out Fallon Johnson at the plate for the final out of the inning.
Senior Kylie Murray increased the lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth with a towering solo home run over the right field fence. The Cyclones got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with their own solo shot by Cary Akins to bring the score to 3-1.
Iowa State made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh when Ashley Killeen led off the inning with a line drive home run to right field. Starting pitcher Brittany Weil was able to record a fly ball to right field, a groundout and a strikeout from the next three Cyclone batters to close out the win.
Heidgerken and Murray each collected two hits while Heidgerken tallied two RBI. The Hawkeyes finished with 10 hits on the day.
Weil improved her record to 14-8 in her 15th complete game of the season. She struck out seven batters and allowed zero walks in the contest.
Iowa returns to Big Ten action Friday against Minnesota at Pearl Field. Game time is set for 4 p.m.