March 8, 2009
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FULLERTON, CA – Senior Sam Heinzman delivered two clutch hits to help Iowa record a comeback, 3-1, win in 10 innings at Cal State Fullerton Sunday. Iowa improves to 16-4 with the win.
Heinzman scored the game-tying run in the sixth and drove in the game-winning run in the 10th for the Hawkeyes. Sunday’s game marks the second time this season Heinzman has came through in extra innings. She drove in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly against Kent State at the Littlewood Classic.
Cal State Fullerton took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Torrie Anderson doubled to left field and took third on an error on the relay throw back to the infield. She scored on an RBI single by K.C. Craddick in the next at-bat.
Iowa tied the score in the sixth inning. Heinzman drilled a one-out triple to center and scored easily on a deep sacrifice fly to left by senior Erin Riemersma.
Iowa worked out of a jam in the bottom half of the eighth. Titan pitcher Ari Cervantes singled and then stole second with one out, but Weil recorded a strikeout and fly ball to Heinzman in center to send the game to the ninth.
Heinzman once again came through in the clutch for Iowa, recording a hit in the 10th to give Iowa a two-run lead. Freshman Katie Keim led off the inning by hitting a sharp ground ball in the 5-6 hole, and the Titan shortstop attempted a backhanded catch. The ball clipped her glove and bounced off her chin, rolling past third and towards the Titan dugout. Keim used some heads-up baserunning and slid safely into second to start the rally. Keim later moved to third on a wild pitch, followed by a Liz Watkins walk. Heinzman stepped into the box and with a two-strike count, hit a shot to left field, plating Keim for the go-ahead run. The Titan outfield then bobbled the ball, and a hustling Watkins scored from first base.
The game didn’t lack in drama, with Cal State Fullerton putting together a late charge in its final at-bat. Senior pitcher Brittany Weil hit Lauren Lupinetti with a pitch to start the inning. The next batter hit a routine ground ball to Riemersma at shortstop, but the attempted force out throw to second was dropped. Weil was able to get Sammie Dabbs to foul out on a bunt attempt, followed by a grounder to Carmody at second base for two outs. Weil then got the final batter of the game to line out to Riemersma for the win.
Heinzman and Keim each had two hits to lead Iowa at the plate.
Weil threw all 10 innings and allowed no earned runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts.
Iowa will take its annual spring break trip next weekend, heading to Florida for a total of nine games. The Hawkeyes will first travel to DeLand, FL, to compete in the Stetson Classic. Iowa will face Hartford at 12:30 Friday to open the Classic.