Gerlick’s Double Lifts Iowa Past Minnesota

April 8, 2006

Box Score

IOWA CITY – Junior Emily Gerlick recorded a two-RBI double in her first at bat of the game to help the Iowa softball team (23-14, 4-2) gain a series sweep against Minnesota (11-20, 0-6) Saturday at Pearl Field. Gerlick had an outstanding diving catch in left field along with the go-ahead hit to lead the Hawkeyes.

Iowa broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning off the two-RBI double by Gerlick, who entered the game in the fifth inning. Sophomore Emily Nichols recorded Iowa’s first hit of the contest with a single to lead off the inning and stole second base. With one out, senior Kylie Murray drew a walk and senior Ali Arnold entered the game as a pinch-hitter. Arnold grounded into a fielder’s choice to put runners on first and second, but Nichols was thrown out at third. After freshman Callie Adreon replaced Murray on second, Gerlick roped a double to right center field to score Adreon and a hustling Arnold from first base.

Nichols hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field to score junior Sami Baugh from third in the top of the seventh to increase Iowa’s lead to 3-0. The Hawkeyes used singles from Baugh, Stacy May and Mindy Heidgerken to plate the insurance run.

Freshman Brittany Weil allowed only one hit and threw her second consecutive complete game shutout. Weil struck out nine and walked two in her 16th win of the season.

The Hawkeyes notched five hits from five different batters, all of which were in the final two innings.

Iowa steps out of conference play Sunday to host North Dakota State in a doubleheader. Game one is slated for a 1 p.m. start.