April 3, 2010
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IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team remained perfect in Big Ten play Saturday, knocking off Indiana, 5-1 at Pearl Field. Iowa is now 17-13-1 overall and 3-0 in conference action.
“We did a great job of winning that first inning today,” Head Coach Gayle Blevins said. “We made Indiana play from behind right away, which was to our benefit. So many players stepped up and had big games for us today. Katie (Keim) played outstanding at third base and Liz (Watkins) is really hitting the ball well. Chelsea (Lyon) was great in the circle for us and really made some quality pitches. This was a great team win.”
Iowa jumped out to a comfortable 3-0 lead in its first at bat of the game. Senior Lindsey Digmann started the frame with a single followed by a Liz Watkins walk. Junior Jenny Schuelke reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with only one out, and junior Chelsey Carmody cleared the bags with a three-RBI double.
Two freshmen helped Iowa plate its fourth run of the game in the second inning. Johnnie Dowling tallied a leadoff triple to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman Jordan Goschie.
Iowa kept things rolling in the third, gaining a 5-0 lead. Junior Stephanie Ochoa reached on a fielder’s choice and hustled to third on a double down the left field line by sophomore Katie Keim. Ochoa scored on a passed ball later in the inning.
Indiana managed to score one unearned run in the seventh, but Lyon closed the door on the Hoosiers for the victory.
Lyon tossed her fourth complete game of the season, upping her record to 8-6. Lyon scattered five hits and did not give up an earned run. Lyon has thrown 30.2 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
Watkins continued her offensive tear Saturday, finishing 2-for-2 against the Hoosiers. Watkins has reached base safely in 11 of her last 12 plate appearances, including six in a row. Brown also finished 2-for-2.
Iowa and Indiana will play the second game of the two-game series Sunday at 2 p.m.