April 21, 2006
West Lafayette, IN – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Purdue, 8-1 Friday at the Varsity Softball Complex on the campus of Purdue University. The Hawkeyes improved their record to 31-16 overall and 7-4 in Big Ten play.
Iowa set the tone early in the first inning, plating three runs in the top of the first. Senior Stacy May started the game with a sharp single to right center field. Junior Mindy Heidgerken followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second for freshman Erin Riemersma, who hit a two-out, two RBI triple to right center field. Senior Kylie Murray then blasted a double that hit the center field fence to score Riemersma from third for the final run of the inning.
Purdue used two doubles in their half of the first to cut the Iowa lead to 3-1. Leadoff hitter Staci Falzon started the bottom of the inning with a double and scored off an RBI double by Tricia Lilley.
Sophomore Summer Downs and Murray increased the Iowa lead to 5-1 in the third inning. With runners on second and third, Downs tipped a ball that rolled down the first base line and Heidgerken beat the throw home for the first run of the inning. Murray hit a shallow single that fell just short of the outstretched glove of the Purdue right fielder that scored Downs from third.
Riemersma made an outstanding defensive play to save a run in the bottom of third inning. Purdue’s DaQueta Johnson ripped a ball up the middle with runners on first and second, but Riemersma made a diving stop and threw out Tiffany Krcelich at home help the Hawkeyes escape the inning.
Iowa added another two runs in the sixth inning. Junior Sami Baugh was hit by a pitch to start the inning and junior Jenna Spratt took her place at first. Junior Emily Gerlick sacrificed Spratt to second and Ackerson followed with a single to left field, which was mishandled and a hustling Spratt scored from second base. Heidgerken collected her second extra-base hit with an RBI double that smashed into the left field fence for a 7-1 Hawkeye lead.
Baugh ripped an RBI single that scored Riemersma for an 8-1 Iowa advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh. Riemersma drew a two-out walk and stole second base, but the Purdue shortstop let the ball roll into center field and Riemersma took third base. Baugh followed with her 14th RBI of the season.
The Hawkeyes scored six of their eight runs with two outs and also collected four extra-base hits, two of which were triples.
Heidgerken and Murray each recorded multiple hits to lead the Hawkeyes at the dish. Heidgerken finished 3-4 and was just a home run shy of the cycle while Murray was 2-4. Iowa out-hit Purdue, 10-5 in the contest.
Freshman Brittany Weil improved her record to 21-10 with the win. She threw a complete game and allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight.
Iowa will face Purdue Saturday in the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.