9 Run 1st Inning Lifts Arkansas Over Iowa

Stats

Feb. 11, 2012

Box Score

• Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
• Iowa and the Big Ten Network
• Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
• 24 Hawkeyes to Watch

WACO, Texas — A nine-run first inning was too much for the University of Iowa softball team to overcome, as the Hawkeyes fell, 10-2, to Arkansas in five innings Saturday at the Getterman Classic.

Iowa (1-2) missed a golden opportunity to set the tone early in the game, loading the bases twice in the first inning, but coming away with zero runs. After back-to-back singles by Megan Blank and Ashley Akers and a Liz Watkins walk to start the game, the Razorbacks turned a 5-4-3 double play to notch the first two outs.

Following a Kayla Massey walk to load the bases a second time, sophomore Brianna Luna grounded out to third base to end the Iowa threat.

Arkansas didn’t waste any time making Iowa pay, as designated player Devon Wallace led off the game with a solo home run to deep centerfield. The Razorbacks followed with consecutive singles before Iowa starter Chelsea Lyon got pair of outs on a fly out and grounder.

After a Jennifer Rambo walk loaded the bases, Arkansas used a pair of infield singles to make the score 3-0. Arkansas’ two-hole hitter Clarisa Navarro welcomed Iowa reliever Brittanee Grove with a three-run home run to right centerfield, making the score 9-0.

Iowa notched its first run in the third inning. Blank and Akers had consecutive singles to open the frame before moving to second and third on a wild pitch. Blank then crossed the plate on senior Katie Keim’s RBI ground out.

The Hawkeyes cut the deficit to seven in the fourth. Freshman Melanie Gladden opened the inning with a single before moving up two bases on sacrifice bunts by Bradi Wall and Johnnie Dowling. Blank delivered, hitting an RBI single up the middle to make the score 9-2.

Arkansas re-extended its margin eight (10-2) in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a Sierra Bronkey’s solo home run to right field.

Lyon suffered her first loss of the season, allowing eight runs on six hits in 2/3 of an inning pitched. Sophomore Kayla Massey pitched well in relief, allowing one run on one hit in 3.1 innings.

Blank and Akers both had multi-hit games, accounting for five of Iowa’s six hits. Blank was a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Akers went 2-for-3.

Iowa (1-2) returns to action this afternoon, facing UT-Arlington beginning at 3 p.m.