April 25, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team (34-17) defeated Northern Iowa (12-34-1) Tuesday, 11-0 in five innings at Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes recorded three home runs in the victory.
Iowa started strong with a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Senior Stacy May took the first pitch of the inning and roped a double to right field and scored off an Emily Nichols single. Senior Kylie Murray followed with a double down the right field line to put runners on second and third for sophomore Summer Downs, who hit a single to center field that scored Nichols for a 2-0 lead. Freshman Rachel West, who pinch-ran for Murray, was caught in a run-down after an attempted squeeze play, but Northern Iowa’s third baseman dropped the ball which allowed West to score.
Downs increased Iowa’s lead to 5-0 in the third with a two-run home run to left field. Downs’ third home run of the season plated Nichols, who singled to lead off the inning.
Murray and freshman Quinn Morelock started a six-run fourth inning with back-to-back home runs. Murray belted a two-run shot to left field while Morelock roped a ball that hit the top of the center field fence and bounced over for an 8-0 advantage. Later in the inning, junior Emily Gerlick hit a two-RBI double to left field that scored Jenna Spratt and Sami Baugh to bump Iowa’s lead to 10-0. Gerlick took home on a wild pitch for the final 11-0 score.
Downs, Murray and Nichols each collected two hits for the Hawkeyes. Downs also finished with three RBI.
Senior Ali Arnold allowed only two hits in five innings pitched for the win. She struck out six and walked only one batter.
Iowa returns to Big Ten action at Pearl Field Friday night against Ohio State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.