Iowa Run Ruled by No. 19/22 Nebraska in Series Finale

Stats

April 12, 2014

Final Stats

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BOX SCORE

By JIL PRICE
hawkeyesports.com

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Husker offense used a 14-run second inning to fuel their 18-0, run rule win over the Hawkeyes in five innings on Saturday afternoon. The win allows No. 19/22 Nebraska (30-13, 8-4) to sweep the series and drops the Iowa record to 10-23 overall and 5-9 in Big Ten action.

Nebraska used a lead off Taylor Edwards solo home run to left center to stake an early 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning.

The Hawkeyes put two runners in scoring position with one away in the top of the second, but could not reach the scoring column. Holly Hoffman drew a leadoff walk and was replaced on the basepaths by pinch runner Haley Hansel. Whitney Repole singled on a bunt and Alyssa Navarro used a sacrifice bunt to move both into scoring position. The Nebraska defense ruined the scoring opportunity, fielding a pair of grounders to end the inning.

The Husker offense came alive in the bottom of the second inning, scoring 14 runs. Iowa starting pitcher Shayla Starkenburg was chased from the circle after giving up two runs in the inning. Micaela Whitney entered in relief but could not get out of the inning, as 12 runs scored during her appearance. Starkenburg re-entered at pitcher and forced a fly out to end the Husker rally.

Iowa put a runner in scoring position in the top of the third with two away when Brianna Luna reached on an error and moved to second on a Claire Fritsch ground out, however, the Huskers forced a fly out to keep the Hawkeyes off the board.

Starkenburg and the Iowa defense used a three-up, three-down inning to keep the Huskers scoreless in the third, but Nebraska rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend its advantage to 18-0.

In the top of the fifth, Michelle Zoeller reached base on an error with two outs, but the defense gloved a Luna line drive at third base to end the game and solidify its 18-0 final victory.

Starkenburg (3-8) took the loss in the circle. She allowed nine earned runs in her 3.1 innings pitched. Whitney allowed nine runs — six earned in her 0.2 innings of work.

Repole recorded both Hawkeye hits and was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate. The Hawkeyes resume play at Pearl Field in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 16 against Missouri. Game one is set for 3 p.m. (CT). Each game of the doubleheader will be shown live on the Big Ten Digital Network.