March 15, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Junior Emily Nichols and sophomore Brittany Weil both had career days to lead Iowa past BYU, 4-0 Thursday in the opening round game of the Capital Classic. Nichols belted her 29th-career home run to tie Iowa’s career home run mark and Weil struck out a career high 15 batters in the win.
Nichols tied Iowa’s career home run mark in the third inning with a line drive shot over the left field fence. It was her eighth home run of the season.
Weil was on fire in the circle for the Hawkeyes, fanning a career high 15 batters. She allowed four hits and walked two in both her first complete game and shutout of the season. Her complete game against BYU came just two days after returning to the Iowa lineup, when she was just one strikeout short of her previous career high of 13 K’s against Colorado State.
Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Sophomore Rachel West started the inning with a bunt single and then stole both second and third. She scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Erin Riemersma for the first run of the game.
The Hawkeyes put up three runs in the third for the 4-0 win. Nichols led off the inning with her record-tying home run, followed by a single by freshman Taylor Leichsenring. Sophomore Colleen McGlaughlin then singled and the runners moved into scoring position on a ground ball by West. Leichsenring crossed the plate on a BYU error and senior Jenna Spratt, who pinch-ran for McGlaughlin, stole home for the final run of the game.
West along with junior Stephanie Ackerson both went 2-3 at the plate. Nichols’ home run also extended her Big Ten record hitting streak to 27 games.
Action at the Capital Classic continues Friday when the Hawkeyes face Georgia Southern at 12 p.m. and Mercer at 2:30 p.m. Iowa defeated Georgia Southern, 2-0 at the Buzz Classic earlier this season. All times listed are central.