May 8, 2010
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The University of Iowa softball team snapped its seven-game losing streak, shutting out Minnesota 8-0 in six innings Saturday in Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes improve to 24-21 overall and 9-7 in Big Ten play. Minnesota drops to 15-34 overall and 1-14 in Big Ten play.
“We got some great production from our bench,” Head Coach Gayle Blevins said. “We put runners on base and had a lot of people come through with key hits. Our defense was solid and Amanda Zust pitched a great game. We needed this win and it feels good to leave with one.”
Junior Jenny Schuelke gave Iowa a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with her sixth home run of the season. Schuelke roped a solo shot over the fence in right-center to put the first run on the board.
Iowa added two runs to its lead in the top of the fourth to make the score 3-0. Sophomore Liz Watkins was hit by a pitch with one out and Schuelke followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. After freshman Sam Valentine entered as a pinch-runner at second, senior Katie Brown roped a two-RBI double to left for the two runs.
The Hawkeyes plated two more runs in the top of the fifth for a 5-0 score. Freshman Jordan Goschie recorded a leadoff single and moved to third when a throw to first on a bunt by senior Taylor Leichsenring sailed to the fence. Minnesota pitcher Alissa Koch was then charged with an illegal pitch, allowing Goschie to score and Leichsenring to take second base. Leichsenring was sacrificed to third by junior Chelsey Carmody and scored on a groundout by sophomore Katie Keim.
Iowa added three more runs in the sixth for the 8-0 cushion. Schuelke and junior Stephanie Ochoa singled, and a walk to junior Sarah Spiering loaded the bases with one out. Pinch-hitter Heidi Daumen dropped a single to right to score two runs and the throw from the outfield was mishandled, allowing the third run of the frame to slide in safely.
Zust tossed her sixth complete game shutout of the season, allowing six hits with one strikeout.
Schuelke led the way with two hits while Brown and Daumen each added two RBI.
Iowa and Minnesota will play game two of the series Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans can catch the game live on the Big Ten Network (HD).