April 22, 2006
West Lafayette, IN – The University of Iowa softball team (32-16, 8-4) defeated Purdue (26-26, 4-9) Saturday afternoon at the Varsity Softball Complex. Senior Kylie Murray blasted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give Iowa the win.
Purdue struck first in the second inning with an RBI single by Kristen Schell, but the Hawkeyes responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the contest. Sophomore Summer Downs led off the inning with a single and freshman Rachel West took her place at first. Freshman Erin Riemersma sacrificed West to second and a ground ball by Murray moved West to third. Next up was junior Sami Baugh who recorded an RBI single to center field that scored West for Iowa’s first run.
Murray broke the 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with a towering two-run home run to left center field. The home run drove in Riemersma, who recorded a one-out single before Murray’s fourth home run of the season.
Purdue cut the Iowa lead to 3-2 in the top of the sixth off an RBI single by DaQueta Johnson. The Boilermakers threatened later in the sixth with bases loaded and two outs, but Iowa pitcher Brittany Weil recorded a fly ball to Emily Gerlick in left to escape the inning. Weil, who gave up two walks and hit a Purdue batter in the frame, had retired 10 straight prior to the sixth inning.
Gerlick collected two hits to lead the Iowa offense. Five other Hawkeyes recorded a hit for a total of seven on the day.
Weil allowed one run on three hits in her 24th complete game of the season. The freshman walked four and struck out six to improve her record to 22-10.
The Hawkeyes travel to Bloomington to face Indiana in a doubleheader Sunday. Game one will start at 11 a.m.