Hawkeyes Fall to Salukis in Finale

Stats

Feb. 27, 2011

Box Score

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Fort Myers, Fla. — With an unofficial tournament title on the line, the University of Iowa softball team came up on the short end of a 5-1 decision to Southern Illinois at the Moe’s Blue and Green Invite Sunday morning at the FGCU Softball Complex.

“We came out and got defensive on them early and were able to shut them down,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “When we got behind by four runs, we were able to get one back and gain a little momentum. Then we kind of sat down and started pressing a little bit.

“Our job this week is to learn how to finish. We had a decent weekend with a 4-1 (record) — we’ll take four wins any day — but we need to learn how to finish, not just finish a game, but finish a weekend.”

The Salukis took control of the contest by plating four runs in the top of the third inning. Mallory Duran delivered the first run with an RBI single to left center before Morgan Barchan followed with a two-run double into the left centerfield gap. Taylor Orsburn drove in SIU’s final run with a single past a diving Katie Keim to make the score 4-0.

Iowa got one run back in the bottom of the inning. Ashley Akers led off with a single to left field before advancing to second on a Keim sacrifice bunt. Akers then moved around the bases courtesy of a wild pitch and passed ball.

Southern Illinois added to its lead with a single run in the seventh inning. The Hawkeyes threatened in both the sixth and seventh innings. With one out in the sixth and two runners on, Liz Watkins grounded into a double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Iowa loaded the bases behind singles by Katie Kroeger and Michelle Zoeller and a Nikki Gentile walk. The Hawkeyes couldn’t capitalize, however, as Brianna Luna struck out looking, and Keim grounded out to third base to end the game.

Chelsea Lyon took the loss for Iowa, allowing four runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. Danielle Glosson picked up her fifth win on the year for Southern Illinois, scattering five hits and striking out six in the complete game.

Five Hawkeyes collected hits on the afternoon, which included a sixth inning single by Chelsey Carmody to extend her hitting streak to 12 games.

Iowa (7-5) returns to action next weekend in Fullerton, Calif., at the DeMarini Invitational.