Iowa Completes Sweep At Illinois

April 1, 2006

Box Score

Urbana, IL – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Illinois, 7-4 Saturday to complete a two-game sweep of the Illini. The Hawkeyes once again posted a five-run first inning en route the victory.

Senior Stacy May gave Iowa an early advantage with a lead-off solo home run to start the contest. After junior Mindy Heidgerken flied out to left field, sophomore Emily Nichols belted another solo shot to right center field for a 2-0 Hawkeye lead. Illinois was then forced to making a pitching change and senior Kylie Murray welcomed the new Illini hurler with a triple to right field. Sophomore Summer Downs followed with a fly ball to left field that was mishandled, allowing Murray to score. Junior Sami Baugh knocked in Iowa’s fourth run of the inning with an RBI single to score Downs. Freshman Erin Riemersma, who reached first on a walk, scored on an error by the Illini shortstop for the early, 5-0 lead.

The Illini were able to score one run in the second off an RBI triple and plated three more runs in the top of the fifth off a three-run home run to shrink the Iowa lead to 5-4.

The Hawkeyes responded with a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to secure the win. Baugh once again recorded an RBI single in the fifth while freshman Colleen McGlaughlin hit her first home run as a Hawkeye to lead off the sixth, giving Iowa a comfortable 7-4 lead.

Freshman Brittany Weil threw her second complete game in as many days to improve her record to 13-7. Weil scattered four runs on five hits and struck out seven Illini batters.

Baugh led the Hawkeye offense, going 2-2 with two RBI. May, Nichols and McGlaughlin each recorded solo home runs on the day.

Iowa travels to Evanston, IL Sunday for a doubleheader against Northwestern. Game one is scheduled for 12 p.m.