April 27, 2008
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Bloomington, IN – Indiana used a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to defeat the 25th-ranked University of Iowa softball team, 3-2, in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader. Iowa falls to 35-16 overall and 12-5 in Big Ten play.
Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Junior Quinn Morelock roped a leadoff double and was lifted for pinch-runner Rachel West at second. West took third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Lindsey Digmann and scored on a groundout by freshman Chelsey Carmody.
Indiana took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run home run. Jennilee Huddleston singled and a 15 pitch-at bat to Emily Bergeson resulted in a walk to put two runners on with two outs. Pitcher Sara Olsen then hit a three-run home run to left to give the Hoosiers a two-run lead.
Senior Summer Downs cut Indiana’s lead to 3-2 in the top of the sixth with a solo home run. Downs started the sixth with her first home run of the season that sailed over the left field fence.
Iowa threatened in its last at-bat with the bases loaded and no outs, but couldn’t plate the tying run. Senior Emily Nichols drew a walk and sophomore Heidi Daumen reached on a fielder’s choice. Sophomore Lindsey Digmann then took a base on balls to load the bases. Carmody and junior Brittany Weil both hit ground balls to shortstop and Iowa runners were forced out at home on back-to-back plays. Downs then hit a grounder to second and sophomore Taylor Leichsenring was forced out at second to end the game.
Weil tossed six innings and allowed three runs on four hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.
Iowa and Indiana will play game two of Sunday’s doubleheader at approximately 2:30 p.m.