Big Innings Lift No. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette Over Iowa

Stats

Feb. 10, 2013

Box Score

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HOUSTON — The University of Iowa softball team dropped an 11-0 decision to 11th-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette in five innings on Sunday afternoon in its final game of the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic. The Cajuns earned a split in the season series, as the Hawkeyes (3-2) claimed the first meeting on Saturday night, 13-10.

The contest, which started an hour late due to a rain delay, was played at Cougar Softball Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.

Louisiana-Lafayette struck first in the top of the second, using a two-run home run to open the scoring. The Cajuns added a two-run double to push their advantage to 4-0.

The visiting team scored five runs on four hits in the top of the fourth to push its lead to 9-0, before adding two runs in the fifth to make the final tally, 11-0.

Hawkeye starter Kayla Massey (1-2) took the loss. The junior tossed three and a third innings, allowing nine runs on eight hits. She struck out three Cajuns.

Micaela Whitney made her second career appearance. The freshman tossed one and two-thirds innings in relief, surrendering two runs on three hits. She struck out one.

Louisiana-Lafayette starter Jordan Wallace (2-0) earned the win for the Cajuns. She allowed no runs in five innings.

“Although we did not finish the way we wanted to, the team showed a lot of grit and resiliency throughout the weekend,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “First, with our travel woes getting here, and having a split squad to start on Friday; then dealing with a little bit of weather, all things that are uncontrollable. We talked about that before the weekend started; focus on us and what we can control. For the most part, we did that.”

Iowa finished the first tournament of the season with wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas State, and host Houston.

“It is always nice to play high-quality competition,” said Looper. “We try to schedule that way. We did not start off so well this weekend, but we came back and defeated Texas State, took care of Houston at their own place, and finished up with a barnburner on Saturday night against Louisiana-Lafayette. Sunday, unfortunately, we did not necessarily end on a high note, but we get a little time to learn and work on some things this week before we hit the road again.

“It is always nice to be able to knock off some very formidable opponents. I expect that to happen more often than not. As a team, that is why we have set the goals we have. We are looking forward to learning from this weekend and then carrying that into next week.”

The Hawkeyes return to action next weekend at the Lovelace Invitational in Denton, Texas. Iowa opens play against Dayton (9 a.m. CT) and Oklahoma State (2 p.m.) on Friday. The Hawkeyes face Nebraska-Omaha (2 p.m.) and host North Texas (4:30 p.m.) on Saturday, before concluding play against Oklahoma State on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.