March 14, 2009
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- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
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- SoftBlog
DELAND, FL – The University of Iowa softball team improved on its earlier offensive output, blanking Hartford, 10-0 Saturday at the Stetson Classic. Iowa moves to 19-5 on the season with the win.
Iowa collected a season-high 16 hits against Hartford, just one game after setting what was a season-high with 12 hits against Cornell earlier in the day.
Iowa jumped on Hartford early, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Senior Erin Riemersma drew a leadoff walk and hustled to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Taylor Leichsenring. Sophomore Chelsey Carmody drove in Riemersma one batter later with a single up the middle.
The middle of Iowa’s order produced three more runs in the third for a 4-0 advantage. Leichsenring singled and then stole second to start things for Iowa. Carmody continued to stay hot for the Hawkeyes, doubling to center and scoring Leichsenring. Freshman Liz Watkins followed with an RBI single to right, plating Carmody. After junior Katie Brown doubled, moving Watkins to third, senior Sam Heinzman recorded an infield single to score Watkins for the third and final run of the frame.
The Hawkeyes added another run in the fourth for a 5-0 lead. Sophomore Jenny Schuelke singled to start the inning and senior Rachel West took her place at first. West then stole second and was moved to third off a sacrifice bunt by freshman Katie Keim. Riemersma grounded out to second, but was credited with the RBI after West scored on the play.
Iowa took a 6-0 lead after scoring one run in the fifth. Carmody tallied yet another hit, this time a single to center. She took second base on a fielder’s choice and scored on an RBI single by Brown.
Iowa’s offense saved its best for last, plating four runs on six hits in the top of the seventh for a 10-0 lead. Back-to-back singles by Watkins and Brown started the offensive fury and Heinzman drove in the first run with an RBI single up the middle. Schuelke then cleared the bases with a two-RBI double to left. Schuelke moved to third on a wild pitch and headed home on a sacrifice fly to center by freshman Katie Keim.
Six Hawkeyes had multiple hits, including Carmody and Brown, who finished with three. McGlaughlin, Watkins, Heinzman and Schuelke had two on the day.
Junior Amanda Zust had a stellar performance in the circle to keep Hartford off track. Zust tossed her fifth complete game and second shutout of the season, striking out five with two walks.
The Hawkeyes will wrap up action at the Stetson Classic Sunday when they face Cornell at 10 a.m. CT).