Massey's Shutout Leads Iowa Past UTA

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Feb. 11, 2012

Box Score

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WACO, Texas — Sophomore Kayla Massey pitched a four hit, complete game shutout to lead the University of Iowa softball team to a 1-0 victory over UT-Arlington on Saturday afternoon at the Getterman Classic.

The win improves Iowa’s record to 2-2 on the season, while the Mavericks fall to 3-1.

Massey didn’t allow a UTA base runner past second base in the victory, finishing with three strikeouts to two walks to improve to 1-1 on the year.

“Kayla did a nice job,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “Our defense was behind her, and we had some key plays behind her. The whole time she was making adjustments. She wasn’t as sharp as she was yesterday, but the best part about good pitchers is they’re going to minor adjusts to get what they need.”

With the game scoreless heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, freshman Megan Blank singled to open the frame before moving to second base on an Ashley Akers sacrifice bunt.

After Massey was caught looking for the second out of the inning, Blank stole third base and strolled in for the game’s lone run when UTA catcher Rachel Forshaw’s throw sailed into left field when third baseman Hillary Steed was late to cover.

“It was nice that last inning to be able to steal third,” said Looper. “Fortunately they bit on the play — no one ended up covering on the play — and the ball went into left field. Megan was heady enough to get home and score.

“Sometimes you like that one run game. I know fans like the nine, 10, 11 run games. I don’t mind the one-run games because it makes you feel like you really worked for it.”

Massey pitched around an error to lead off the top of the seventh inning before getting Charne Office to line into a double play to end the game.

Massey pitched around a single and a leadoff walk in the first inning and a leadoff double by Samantha Kennedy by in the third inning. She induced an infield pop-up to end the first, and got a line-out double play to end the third.

After leading off the game with a double to right field, Blank was left stranded at third base in the first. Massey hit a grounder to first base before Liz Watkins lined out to left field.

Blank notched two of Iowa’s three hits in the game, finishing 2-for-3. She had five hits in six at-bats in the Hawkeyes’ two Saturday games against Arkansas and UTA.

Iowa returns to action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., facing Belmont in its Getterman Classic finale.