Bats Come Alive in 2 Iowa Wins

Stats | Stats

Feb. 18, 2011

Box Score vs. Idaho State | Box Score vs. Seattle U.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — The University of Iowa softball team exploded for 19 runs on 25 hits Friday in a pair of victories at the Littlewood Classic at Farrington Stadium. The Hawkeyes opened the day by run-ruling Idaho State in five innings, 11-3, before rallying for an 8-7 victory over Seattle University in game two.

“It was good to come out and get that first win early and then to stick with the second game,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “We gave some runs here and there, but we stayed with it. Anytime you can walk away with two wins in a day is a good day.”

The Hawkeyes used a big bottom of the fifth inning to end the game early against the Bengals in the day’s opening game. Leading 5-3 heading into the bottom of the inning, Iowa plated six runs to claim the 11-3 victory.

Sophomore Jordan Goschie doubled to left to open the inning before scoring on a Nikki Gentile RBI single. Following a pair of groundouts, Chelsey Carmody doubled to center field to plate Gentile, before Johnnie Dowling and Liz Watkins drew walks to load the bases.

Senior Jenny Schuelke put an end to the contest when she connected on a grand slam to right center field. The shot was her second home run of the season and the 12th of her career.

“It was great to end the game that way,” said Looper. “We were definitely on base alot and we took advantage of what the pitcher gave us and made things happen, and they happened in our favor.”

The Hawkeyes opened the game by scoring one run in the first and second innings, two in the third and one in the fourth. Idaho State managed to keep the game close, mainly in part to five Iowa errors. The Bengals plated one run in the second and two in the third before the Hawkeyes pulled away.

Freshman Kayla Massey finished with six strikeouts in the victory, scattering three hits in five innings. Seven Hawkeyes notched hits in the game, which included multi-hit games by Watkins (2-2, 2 RBI), Schuelke (2-3, 5 RBI) and Gentile (2-2, 2 RBI).

Iowa built on its momentum to start the second game, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning against Seattle University. Junior Katie Keim opened the game with a single before advancing to second on a Carmody sacrifice bunt. Dowling brought her home with an RBI single before Schuelke collected her sixth RBI of the day with a single to left field.

Seattle tied the game with two runs in the second before plating five runs in the top of the third to take a 7-2 advantage. The first three Redhawk batters reached to load the bases before the Hawkeyes got a pair of outs at home plate on infield groundouts.

Seattle’s Sarah Petosa followed with a two-run double to left center before the Redhawks followed with three hits to plate three runs to chase Iowa starter Chelsea Lyon from the game. Massey entered and put an end to the inning, striking out Theresa Clark swinging.

The Hawkeye bats then went back to work, collecting five hits to plate four runs in the bottom of the third. Carmody singled to right center to open the inning before scoring on a RBI double by Dowling. Watkins plated Dowling with a single up the middle, and Schuelke followed with a double to right. Gentile knocked in Michelle Zoeller, who pinch ran for Watkins, with a sacrifice fly before Brianna Luna plated Schuelke with a double off the wall in right field.

After sitting down Seattle in order in the top of the fourth, Keim reached base with a one-out single. Carmody then belted her first home run of the season, a two-run line drive shot to the opposite field, to put the Hawkeyes on top for good by the count of 8-7.

Massey proceeded to close out the victory; striking out four of the final nine batters she faced to improve her record to 3-1 this season. The freshman pitched 4.1 innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out six.

All nine starters registered a hit, and four Hawkeyes had multi-hit games. Dowling pace the squad with a 3-for-3 day at the plate, while scoring three runs and driving in two. Keim, Carmody, and Schuelke, meanwhile, all had two hits.

Iowa (3-4) returns to action on Saturday, playing Illinois State at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and against No. 9/12 Arizona State at 8 p.m. (CT).