Feb. 16, 2014
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WACO, Texas — The University of Iowa offense came alive this morning against Drake in its final game of the Getterman Classic. The Hawkeyes (3-6) posted a season-best 16 hits and scored a season-high nine runs in their 9-0, run rule win over the Bulldogs (0-9) in six innings.
Every starter for Iowa had at least one hit, and six Hawkeye starters — Erin Erickson (2-for-3), Michelle Zoeller (2-for-4), Alyssa Navarro (2-for-4), Kayla Massey (2-for-4), Sammi Gyerman (3-for-4) and Claire Fritsch (2-for-3) — recorded a multiple hit performance in the win.
“We did a better job with execution today,” head coach Marla Looper said. “We executed when we needed it with runners in scoring position, so we were able to produce the runs we weren’t able to produce earlier in the tournament.”
After a scoreless first inning, the Hawkeye offense sparked in the top of the second. Massey and Holly Hoffman started the inning with back-to-back singles, and both moved up a base on a Drake wild pitch. Gyerman capitalized on the scoring opportunity with an RBI single. Iowa added a second run on a Fritsch RBI double to left — her first double of 2014.
The Hawkeyes offense erupted in the top of the fourth, as the team scored five runs on eight hits. Three consecutive singles — from Gyerman, Fritsch and Erickson — loaded the bases with no outs. Megan Blank singled in a run to start the scoring drive, and Zoeller kept it going, scoring two runs with her third double of the season.
Whitney Repole and Massey followed with back-to-back singles, notching an RBI apiece to give the Hawkeyes a seven-run advantage over the Bulldogs, 7-0.
Following a scoreless fifth inning, Iowa put three consecutive hitters on base when Repole reached on a fielder’s choice, Navarro singled up the middle and a Massey reached on an error. Pinch hitter Michaela Johnson checked and used a fielder’s choice to notch her first career RBI. Repole came around to score on the play after a Bulldog error, putting the Hawkeyes ahead 9-0.
Iowa defense used a pair of ground outs and a Massey strikeout to end the game by run rule after sixth innings, 9-0. Massey (1-4) tallied her first win of the season in the circle in shutout fashion. She held the Bulldogs to five hits and struck out three in her six innings of work.
“It’s big for our team, and it’s great for Kayla (Massey),” Looper said. “She’s had some great appearances. It’s nice to see her get a notch in the win column and it will be good to have her back on the horse next weekend in our series against Mississippi State.”
The Hawkeyes continue their road swing with a three-game series at Mississippi State, Feb. 21-23. Each game will begin at 3 p.m. (CT).