Lyon Shuts Out LIU Brooklyn

Stats

Feb. 26, 2012

Box Score

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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The University of Iowa softball team closed out the Cathedral City Classic with a 7-0 victory over LIU Brooklyn on Sunday morning. The Hawkeyes had nine hits in the game, and junior Chelsea Lyon scattered four hits in the complete game shutout.

“I was proud of the kids for how they regrouped after yesterday,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “They came out with a lot more enthusiasm and intensity, and they took care of business.”

The Hawkeyes pushed a pair of runs across in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. Senior Liz Watkins was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before Bradi Wall reached on a fielder’s choice. With one out, freshman Tor Hawley drew a walk to load the bases before freshman Melanie Gladden delivered a two-run single to left field.

Iowa doubled its lead in its next at-bat, pushing its advantage to 4-0. Senior Katie Keim got things started with a one out single up the middle before Watkins drew a walk to put a pair of runners on. Following a single by Wall to load the bases, two runs scored when sophomore Brianna Luna reached on a fielding error by LIU shortstop Nicole Toven.

The Hawkeyes plated their fifth run in the fourth frame. Junior Johnnie Dowling singled to lead off the inning before moving to third on a pair of groundouts. Keim tallied the RBI with a soft single to left field to make the score 5-0.

Iowa stretched its lead to 7-0 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Gladden led off the frame with a single to left field before Dowling doubled to right center to put a pair of runners on. Freshman Megan Blank drove in Gladden on a fielder’s choice before Keim plated the second run on a sacrifice fly to right field.

“It was huge to get this victory,” said Looper. “We talk every game is new, you start fresh. We did a nice job throughout the lineup and in the dugout. If we carry that through, we’ll have some great chances ahead of us.”

Lyon won her fourth game of the season by limiting the Blackbirds to four hits over seven innings. She struck out four LIU batters, while allowing a single walk. It was Lyon’s team-leading third shutout.

“I was proud of Chelsea with her presence on the mound and her effort to pound the zone,” said Looper. “They were jamming the plate and she went right at them and found the corner she could hit.”

Three UI players tallied multi-hit games in the victory. Dowling went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Keim and Gladden each went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Iowa (8-6) returns to action Friday night, facing Oklahoma State in the opening game of the Hall of Fame Tournament in Stillwater, Okla.