May 12, 2006
Evanston, IL – The No. 3 seed Iowa softball team (39-20) was upset by No. 6 seed Indiana (29-23-1), 5-4 in eight innings Friday at the Big Ten Softball Tournament. Indiana’s four-run sixth inning was the difference in the first round upset.
Iowa took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off an RBI single by Summer Downs that plated freshman Erin Riemersma, who reached on a fielder’s choice. The Hawkeyes increased their lead to 2-0 in the second off another RBI single by senior Stacy May. Junior Emily Gerlick singled and stole second base before May’s at bat. Gerlick hustled around third and beat the throw from centerfield for the second Hawkeye run.
Indiana’s bats woke up in the sixth inning after freshman pitcher Brittany Weil carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Laura Hines started the Hoosier rally with a solo home run to cut Iowa’s lead to 2-1. After a walk, a single and a wild pitch, Weil walked in the tying run with the bases loaded to tie the contest. Mariangee Bogado then roped a two-RBI double for a 4-2 Hoosier lead.
The Hawkeyes managed to plate two runs in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. With one out, May singled to left field for the first Hawkeye baserunner. Next up was Riemersma, who sent a ball to deep left-center field that hit the top of the fence and bounced back into the park, advancing May to third. With two outs later in the inning, May scored on a passed ball that rolled to the backstop. The Hoosier catcher attempted to throw out May from the backtstop, but the ball sailed back through the infield and a hustling Riemersma scored from second to the contest.
The Hoosiers dealt the final blow in the top of the eighth with an RBI double by Jennilee Huddleston for the final 5-4 advantage.
May finished 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Hawkeyes at the dish.
Weil threw all eight innings in the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits while tying a career-high with 13 strikeouts.
Iowa will now wait for the NCAA selection show, which will air Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN News. Check www.hawkeyesports.com for postseason updates.