May 3, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team (38-18) swept South Dakota State (23-34) in a doubleheader Wednesday, 3-2 and 4-1. Three Hawkeyes recorded home runs against the Jackrabbits.
In game one, Iowa broke the scoreless tie with a three-run fourth inning. Sophomore Summer Downs got things started with a single into left field and junior Jenna Spratt took her place at first. Next up was freshman Erin Riemersma, who belted a two-run home run to left field for a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, senior Brandi Sargent roped a double down the right field line and scored off an RBI single by senior Ali Arnold for the third Hawkeye run of the inning.
South Dakota State cut Iowa’s lead to 3-2 with back-to-back RBIs by Kiley Schwedhelm and Steph Kuhl in the sixth, but Arnold and the Hawkeye defense were able to hold the Jackrabbits in check the final inning for the win.
Downs went 3-3 at the plate to lead the Hawkeye offense. Four other Hawkeyes collected a hit in game one.
Arnold went the distance to improve her record to 12-6. She struck out five and walked one and also was 1-2 at the plate with an RBI.
Stacy May and Mindy Heidgerken started game two with back to back singles in the bottom of the first. Downs followed with a ground ball to the Jackrabbit shortstop which allowed May to score from third for an early 1-0 lead.
South Dakota tied the contest in the top of the second off a Hawkeye error in the outfield. Stacey Evans doubled down the left field line and scored off the Iowa miscue.
The Hawkeyes regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth off back-to-back solo home runs by Downs and senior Kylie Murray. Downs took the first pitch of the inning and blasted it over the left field fence and Murray followed with a long ball to left field for a 3-1 lead.
Junior Mindy Heidgerken recorded a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed pinch-runner Rachel West to score from third for the final 4-1 advantage. West replaced freshman Quinn Morelock on first after she slapped a single. West then stole second and advanced to third off a May single.
May finished 2-3 with a run scored while Downs recorded two RBI to lead Iowa at the dish.
Freshman Brittany Weil threw a one-hitter in her 29th complete game of the season. Weil struck out two and walked one.
Iowa travels to Wisconsin this weekend for a crucial two-game series against the Badgers. Game one is scheduled Saturday at noon.