Iowa Drops Series Finale at Mississippi State

Stats

Feb. 23, 2014

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BOX SCORE

STARKVILLE, Miss. — University of Iowa softball concluded weekend action at Mississippi State on Sunday morning. The Bulldogs (14-0) used a seven-run rally in the bottom of the fifth, to secure their 14-straight win, 9-1, over the Hawkeyes (3-9).

Of the 10 runs scored in the contest, three were earned, as each team committed errors to help their opponents.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bulldogs used a double and an error for two base runners in the bottom of the second. A Kayla Winkfield single through the right side followed, to give Mississippi State a 2-0 early lead.

The Hawkeye offense responded in the top of the third inning — scoring their first run of the weekend series. Claire Fritsch started the two-out rally with a double — her third of the season. Michelle Zoeller followed, reaching on a bunt single. An errant Bulldog throw on the play allowed Fritsch to touch home to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.

The Hawkeyes and Bulldogs traded zeroes in the fourth inning, but the Mississippi State offense sparked in the top of the fifth, scoring seven runs on three hits and two Iowa errors. The spurt gave the Bulldogs enough runs to end the contest in run rule fashion, 9-1.

The Iowa lineup recorded four hits in the loss. Fritsch (1-for-3) posted the lone double, while Zoeller (1-for-2), Megan Blank (1-for-2), and Holly Hoffman (1-for-2) each picked up a single.

Kayla Massey (1-6) took the loss in the circle. She struck out two and allowed eight runs — three earned — on six hits in her 4.1 innings. Shayla Starkenburg came on in relief, throwing the final 0.1 inning of the contest.

The Hawkeyes are back in action at the University of Arizona Tournament next weekend, Feb. 28-March 2. Iowa faces Valparaiso on Friday, Arizona and UT Arlington on Saturday, and concludes the weekend with a game against Longwood on Sunday.