May 6, 2006
Madison, WI – The University of Iowa softball team (39-18, 12-6) defeated Wisconsin (21-22, 5-11) Saturday, 10-2. The Hawkeyes scored nine runs in the final two innings to seal the victory.
Iowa took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first off an RBI single by senior Kylie Murray. Senior Stacy May started the game with a single and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice off the bat of junior Mindy Heidgerken, who was also safe on the play. Later in the inning, sophomore Summer Downs singled to advance the runners to second and third. Murray followed with a single past Badger shortstop to score May, but Heidgerken was thrown out at the plate.
Wisconsin answered with a solo home run by Katie Knatyk in the bottom of the first to tie the contest. The Badgers took a 2-1 lead in the third after Knatyk tripled and scored off a Joey Daniels single.
The Badgers maintained the 2-1 advantage until the Iowa offense exploded for a four-run sixth inning. Murray started the rally with a single and was replaced at first with pinch-runner Jenna Spratt. Freshman Erin Riemersma and junior Sami Baugh recorded back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases. Junior Emily Gerlick grounded to the third baseman who forced out Spratt at home plate, but the Hawkeyes still had the bases loaded. Freshman pinch-hitter Quinn Morelock followed with an RBI single to score Riemersma from third for the first run of the inning. May then hit a bases-clearing, three RBI double to give Iowa a 5-2 lead.
Iowa maintained the offensive pressure with five runs in the seventh, all of which were unearned. After Downs reached first on an error, Riemersma roped a single to left and Baugh reached on another Badger miscue. After Downs scored on a wild pitch, the Hawkeyes tallied three-straight RBI singles by Gerlick, Morelock and May. Sophomore Emily Nichols plated Iowa’s final run off a sacrifice fly for the 10th Hawkeye run of the contest.
May had an impressive day at the plate, going 4-5 with four RBI and a run scored. Murray, Riemersma and Morelock each had two hits. Iowa out-hit Wisconsin, 15-7.
Freshman Brittany Weil scattered two runs on seven hits in the complete game win. She struck out five and walked only one in seven innings of work.
Iowa will play its final regular season game Sunday against Wisconsin at noon. With a win, the Hawkeyes can wrap up the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Conference Tournament.