April 28, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team (35-17, 10-5) defeated Ohio State (34-18, 10-5), 5-2 Friday night at Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes took advantage of six Buckeye errors in the victory.
Iowa used three Buckeye miscues in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Summer Downs ripped a single that was mishandled by the Ohio State left fielder which allowed sophomore Emily Nichols to score from second base.
Ohio State’s Megan Schwab ripped an RBI double that was just fair down the left field line to tie the contest in the top of the third inning. Junior Mindy Heidgerken started the bottom half of the third with a double and stole third base. Ohio State’s catcher attempted to throw out Heidgerken at third, but her throw sailed into the outfield and Heidgerken scored for a 2-1 Hawkeye lead.
Iowa plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-1 advantage. Nichols reached first to start the inning off Ohio State’s sixth error of the game and freshman Rachel West replaced her on the basepaths. Senior Kylie Murray followed with a single to center field and Downs recorded an RBI single to score West from third. Freshman Erin Riemersma then hit a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Murray to score the second run of the inning.
Ohio State trimmed Iowa’s lead to 4-2 in the sixth when Courtney Pruner hit a hard ground ball that found its way to the outfield and Brittany Vanderink scored from second. The Buckeyes threatened later in the inning with bases loaded and no outs, but Iowa starting pitcher Brittany Weil recorded a strkeout and two fly balls to Stacy May at shortstop to escape the inning.
The Hawkeyes plated an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Nichols roped an RBI single that scored Stephanie Ackerson for the final 5-2 score.
Heidgerken, Nichols and Downs each combined for six of Iowa’s 10 hits on the night.
Weil threw her 26th complete game and improved her record to 24-11 with the win. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Iowa and Ohio State will face off again at Pearl Field Saturday at 12 p.m.