Sept. 30, 2010
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – First year Head Coach Marla Looper and the University of Iowa softball team completed the fall season last weekend by hosting a doubleheader against SIU-Edwardsville at Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes lost two tough games, falling 2-1 in eight innings in game one and 12-7 in the nightcap.
Game one remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman Katie Kroeger got things started by reaching first on a fielding error and scored on an RBI double by junior Liz Watkins. SIU-Edwardsville scored one run in the seventh to force extra innings and plated the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth.
Sophomore Jordan Goschie went 2-for-3 in game one while senior Stephanie Ochoa was 2-for-4.
Sophomore Chelsea Lyon pitched a complete game in the first matchup, striking out two with four walks.
The Hawkeyes responded in game two, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. SIU-Edwardsville managed to tie the score in the top of the fourth and scored runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to escape with the comeback win.
Sophomore Ashley Akers was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in the second game. Ochoa had another solid game at the plate going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Watkins and Kroeger added two RBI.
Freshman Kayla Massey took the loss, tossing a complete game with six strikeouts.
“The fall was definitely a time for the coaches to assess each player individually, as well as the team as a whole,” Looper said. “Having the opportunity to put those things into action versus outside opponents was a challenging task. The team has worked hard in the fall and we will continue to push them daily in their pursuit to becoming the best player they can be. As a staff, we have compiled our `to do list’ and are now set to prioritize and attack the areas we feel are most pertinent in the off season.
“It is always a challenge to have one new coach on a staff and to learn their style of teaching,” Looper added. “But to have a whole new staff is a learning experience for the whole team. The players make it enjoyable to walk out to Pearl Field each day knowing they are willing and ready to work hard and remain open-minded. In the few weeks we have all been together there has been growth in many areas and we, as a staff, expect to continue to grow as the offseason progresses. This is a great group of young ladies and I am privileged to get to work with them on a daily basis.”
Iowa will return to action in February, as the 2011 softball season officially gets underway. Be sure to check hawkeyesports.com in the near future for the release of the complete 2011 schedule.