Hawkeyes Fall To Wisconsin, 4-1

May 7, 2006

• 2006 Big Ten Softball Tournament

Box Score

Madison, WI – The University of Iowa softball team (39-19, 12-7) was defeated by Wisconsin (22-22, 6-11) Sunday, 4-1 in the regular season finale. Even with the loss, Iowa will still be the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

Coming into today, Iowa either needed to defeat the Badgers or hope that Ohio State would fall short against Penn State. The Nittany Lions edged past Ohio State, 1-0 Sunday, giving Iowa the No. 3 seed in next week’s Big Ten Tournament.

Wisconsin took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first off a three-run home run by Alexis Garcia. Iowa cut the Badger lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the second off an RBI single by junior Emily Gerlick. Senior Kylie Murray started the inning with a double and junior Jenna Spratt took her place at second. Spratt advanced to third on a ground ball by junior Sami Baugh before touching home.

The Badgers scored an insurance run in the sixth when Garcia drove in her fourth run of the game on an RBI single.

Sophomore Stephanie Ackerson was the only Hawkeye to collect multiple hits, finishing a perfect 2-2 with a walk.

Freshman Brittany Weil took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five. Weil finished the regular season with a 27-13 record.

The Big Ten Tournament will take place in Evanston, IL, on May 12-14. Northwestern claimed the Big Ten regular season championship Saturday, earning the right to host the conference tournament. Click HERE to review the bracket and more.