Softball Posts 2-2 Mark in 2013 All Iowa Classic

Sept. 29, 2013

COACH LOOPER ON 2013 ALL IOWA CLASSIC | PHOTO GALLERY | ALL IOWA CLASSIC HIGHLIGHTS

IOWA CITY, Iowa —The University of Iowa softball team played to a 2-2 record at the 2013 All Iowa Classic at Pearl Field on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29. It was the first time the 2013-14 Hawkeye roster was in action.

The Hawkeyes opened fall play with a win, edging out Drake by a score of 2-1. A Holly Hoffman double plated Claire Fritschin the top of the first inning to put Iowa up 1-0 early. The lead held until Drake’s Amy Pierce tied the ballgame with a lead off solo home run in the bottom of the third.

With the score knotted 1-1 following the seventh, the international tie breaker rule went into effect. With Fritsch stationed at second base to begin the inning, Iowa used a groundout to move her up to third. Hoffman once again delivered, plating the eventual game-winning run.

The Hawkeye defense picked off the runner at second, recorded a looking strikeout and grabbed a liner to end the Bulldogs’ comeback hopes and secure the 2-1 win. Hawkeye starter Kayla Masseystruck out five and limited the Bulldogs to two hits in her eight innings of work.

Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series foe Iowa State scored two in the first inning and two more in the second to post an early lead over Iowa in game two on Saturday. The Cyclones held off the Hawkeye offense until the fourth inning. Hoffman singled to reach with one away and a pair of doubles from Alyssa Navarroand Brianna Luna followed to cut the Iowa State lead in half, 4-2.

Iowa continued its offensive charge in the fifth inning adding three runs to take a 5-2 advantage. Fritsch started the rally with a double, then Michelle Zoeller and Massey reached with a hit by pitch and a walk, respectively. Luna cashed in on the bases loaded opportunity with a double to push the Hawkeyes ahead. Hawkeye starter Shayla Starkenburg struck out six in her 5.1 innings pitched, while Micaela Whitneytossed the final 1.2 innings notching three strikeouts.

In Iowa’s first game on Sunday, Northern Iowa recorded an 8-0 shutout win. The Hawkeyes were held hitless by Panther starting pitcher Jamie Fisher until Fritsch singled to the shallow left field to start the bottom half of the fourth inning.

Iowa picked up four more hits over the final three innings, but left seven runners on base. The Panthers scored a run in the first, two in the third and five in the seventh to secure the final win.

Despite establishing an early three run lead over Upper Iowa in its final game of the All Iowa Classic on Sunday, Iowa fell to the Peacocks 5-3. After Luna and Haley Hanselreached on a hit by pitch and a walk, Massey capitalized with a two RBI double. Fritsch followed with a single up the middle to plate Massey.

After a scoreless second inning, Upper Iowa used a hit and four Iowa miscues to bat around and score five runs to take a lead. The Peacock defense held the Hawkeyes to three hits in the final innings of play to solidify the 5-3 final win.

Hawkeye softball resumes fall ball action at Pearl Field on Oct. 4 against Marshalltown Community College. The contest is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT. Iowa will conclude the fall season with a pair of games on Oct. 12 against Kansas and Kirkwood Community College.