March 8, 2008
Iowa scored nine runs in the sixth inning en route to an 11-0, six-inning win over Buffalo in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at the Amy S. Harrison Classic. The Hawkeyes collected 12 hits in the victory.
“This was a good way to finish a doubleheader today,” Head Coach Gayle Blevins said. “We finished strong and were able to put hits together. We had a great approach and we want to do the same tomorrow. I thought Amanda (Zust) had a great performance and we took care of both games today.”
Iowa wasted no time in scoring, plating a run in the first inning. Junior Colleen McGlaughlin singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Junior Erin Riemersma then hit a sharp single up the middle and McGlaughlin slid safely underneath the tag at home for the game’s first run.
Iowa doubled its lead in the second inning off an infield single. Senior Emily Nichols dropped a single into right field and moved to third on two-straight sacrifice bunts. Sophomore Taylor Leichsenring followed with a slap single that rolled past the Buffalo pitcher, allowing Nichols to score.
The Hawkeyes put the game out of reach in the sixth inning with seven runs to take a commanding 11-0 lead. Senior Summer Downs drew a walk to start the frame and junior Lindsey Emery took her place at first. Emery moved to third off a Nichols single and scored on a squeeze bunt by junior Rachel West. Leichsenring followed with a walk to load the bases and freshman Chelsey Carmody came through with a single to left that plated Nichols. The throw to home sailed to the backstop, which allowed West to score as well. Sophomore Lindsey Digmann was then hit in the helmet by a pitch to load the bases again and Leichsenring scored on the next at-bat off a wild pitch. McGlaughlin stepped in and blasted a deep shot to center field that had no problem clearing the fence for a three-run home run.
Aftter a Buffalo pitching change, Riemersma blooped a double to left field and Emery tagged a single to center. Nichols cleared the bases with a triple to the right field fence for Iowa’s seventh run of the inning.
Nichols finished 3-4 with two RBI while McGlaughlin went 2-4 with three RBI. West finished a perfect 2-2 at the plate.
Sophomore Amanda Zust threw all six innings for the win. She gave up only two hits while striking out eight and did not walk a batter.
Iowa will wrap up action at the Amy S. Harrison Classic Sunday with a rematch against Utah Valley at 11 a.m. central time. The Hawkeyes defeated Utah Valley, 6-0, in their first game of the Classic Friday.
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