May 14, 2010
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IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team was defeated by second-ranked Michigan, 8-2 Friday at Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes fall to 25-22 overall and 10-8 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines clinched the Big Ten regular season title with the win, improving to 45-6 overall and 17-1 in the conference.
“I thought we had a great game plan coming into tonight,” Head Coach Gayle Blevins said. “This was a tough loss, but we were right there for most of the game. We need to regroup tonight and come back to the field tomorrow ready to play on Senior Day.”
Michigan scored the first run of the game in the second inning when Molly Bausher recorded an RBI groundout to second base.
Iowa tied the game in its half of the second. Senior Katie Brown roped a one-out double and later scored on an RBI single by junior Chelsey Carmody.
The Wolverines regained the lead at 2-1 in the top of the fifth, but the Hawkeyes battled back to tie the score at two in the bottom of the frame. Freshman Sam Valentine was hit by a pitch with two outs and moved to second on a wild pitch. Valentine scored on an RBI single to right by senior Taylor Leichsenring.
Michigan fought right back to take the lead once again at 3-2 in the top of the sixth, but the Hawkeyes couldn’t force a tie in their half of the inning.
The Wolverines put the game away in the top of the seventh, plating five runs. Michigan took advantage of three walks, two hit by pitches, one wild pitch, one passed ball and one fielding error to score the five runs.
Three Hawkeye pitchers saw action Friday night and limited the powerful Wolverine offense to just four hits, but walked 11. Freshman Chelsea Lyon took the loss, tossing 1.2 innings. She allowed three earned runs on just one hit with two strikeouts. Senior Amanda Zust started the game and threw 2.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on just two hits. Senior Katie Brown also tossed 2.2 innings, surrendering just one hit.
Carmody had two of Iowa’s four hits along with an RBI.
Iowa will conclude the regular season Saturday at Pearl Field vs. Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be seen live on the Big Ten Network (HD).