April 8, 2009
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MACOMB, IL – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Western Illinois, 9-1, Wednesday in Macomb, IL. Iowa improves to 31-9 on the season.
“It’s great to see us put up a big number again,” Head Coach Gayle Blevins said. “Our offense did a nice job of driving in runs, and Brittany (Weil) threw a great game. This was a good step going back into conference play this weekend.”
Iowa lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the top of the third for a 4-0 lead. Back-to-back singles by freshman Katie Keim and junior Lindsey Digmann set the table for sophomore Chelsey Carmody, who drove both runners in with a double. Freshman Liz Watkins stayed hot at the plate, belting a double to score Carmody for a 3-0 lead. On the play, Watkins moved to third on a Western Illinois fielding error in the outfield, and later scored on Iowa’s third-straight double of the inning, this time by junior Katie Brown.
Iowa tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth to take a 6-0 advantage. Carmody roped a double to left that scored senior Erin Riemersma, who singled, and Digmann, who walked.
Senior Colleen McGlaughlin drove in Iowa’s seventh run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Missy Mazur started things with a walk and was lifted for pinch-runner Rachel West. After West stole second, McGlaughlin lifted a ball to right-center that was just inches from clearing the fence, scoring West.
Iowa reached the nine-run mark in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, senior Rachel West laid down a perfect bunt to score the first run of the inning. McGlaughlin followed with an RBI single through the left side that allowed Brown to score.
Western Illinois managed to score one run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Hawkeyes held on to the eight-run advantage to end the game an inning early.
Carmody had a terrific day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBI. McGlaughlin finished 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Senior Brittany Weil picked up the win, allowing only two hits with six strikeouts and no walks.
The Hawkeyes return to action Saturday when they travel to Purdue. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. (CT).