Hawkeyes Fall to Mississippi State

Feb. 22, 2014

BOX SCORE

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Hawkeyes put runners on base in five of seven innings, four of which reached scoring position, but could not erase the zero on the scoreboard, giving Mississippi State the final, 5-0 win. Iowa is 3-8 after the loss, and the Bulldogs move to 13-0 on the year.

For the second time in as many games, Mississippi State’s Sam Lenahan recorded the hit that hurt the Hawkeyes. In the bottom of the first after a pair of walks put two on base, she hit her second ball of the series out of the park to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.

Mississippi State struck again in the bottom of the second, extending its lead to four runs with a sacrifice fly.

Hawkeye starter Micaela Whitney and the defense kept the Bulldog offense off the board in the bottom of the third — marking the first three-up, three-down inning of the contest. After a leadoff walk was issued, Claire Fritsch used a double play to clear the bases, tagging the runner heading to second and tossing the ball to Alyssa Navarro at first. Whitney Repole ended the inning with a diving catch in left field.

In the bottom of the fourth after a single and an error put two runners on base, Mississippi State scored another insurance run on a double steal to extend its lead to 5-0.

Iowa starting pitcher Micaela Whitney (1-2) came on strong in final two innings, keeping the Bulldogs scoreless and tallying four strikeouts in the fifth and sixth — one of which was looking — but took the complete game loss in the circle. She struck out a season-high six hitters in her six innings pitched.

Hawkeye third baseman Michelle Zoeller led the Hawkeye offense. She was 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles bringing her season total to five two-baggers.

“It was nice for Michelle to make some solid contact,” Marla Looper said. “She’s more successful when she just gets to contact. The ball just pops off her bat. It was good to see her get some good production today.”

Kaitlyn Mullarkey (1-for-2) — who made her first career start in right field — earned her first collegiate hit with a single up the middle. Posting the final hit for Iowa was Kayla Massey (1-for-3).

The Hawkeyes and Bulldogs meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. (CT) to play the final contest of their three-game series. Fans can follow livestats available at hawkeyesports.com or view a video feed at hailstate.com for a fee.