April 10, 2016
IOWA CITY, Iowa — A six-run fourth inning led the University of Iowa softball team past Northern Iowa on Tuesday night at Bob Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes now own a 28-12 advantage in the all-time series.
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“It took us awhile to get to their pitcher, but once we did we kept putting the pressure on,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “We kept executing and putting the ball in play. It was nice to put the six spot up. I’m proud of our kids tonight.”
After three scoreless innings, the Iowa bats go hot in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Angela Schmiederer led off the inning with a single to right center, while senior Whitney Repole and freshman Mallory Kilian were both awarded first on a hit by pitch to load the bases. Sophomore Sarah Kurtz came through with an RBI single back to the pitcher to put the Hawkeyes on the board.
Following a wild pitch that allowed Repole to score, an error by the shortstop on a ball off the bat of Claire Fritsch plated Kilian. With runners on first and third, junior Kaitlyn Mullarkey took advantage of the RBI opportunity with a double to left. Sammi Gyerman plated two more runs on a single up the middle to give the Hawkeyes a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers got three runs back in the top of the sixth. Back-to-back singles, a walk, a stolen base, and a two-run single pulled Northern Iowa within three, 6-3.
Northern Iowa threatened again in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. The Hawkeyes held on to win; however, as a fly ball to Repole in left ended the game.
Shayla Starkenburg was credited with the win. The redshirt junior allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks. She struck out three in five and 1/3. Sophomore Ashley Yoways pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Erin Riding recorded the final two outs of the game to earn her first career save.
“Shayla buckled down and gave us a nice start,” said Looper. “She started a little shaky and made a little adjustment. She started believing in her stuff, knowing that it’s good enough and her defense is going to be behind her.”
Gyerman led the Iowa offense with a 2-for-3 effort at the dish. The San Pedro, California, native recorded a pair of singles and two RBIs.
The Hawkeyes (10-26) return to action tomorrow, hosting in-state rival Drake. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (CT) from Bob Pearl Field.
| Iowa 6, Northern Iowa 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |||||
| Northern Iowa (27-13) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |||||
| Iowa (10-26) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 6 | 1 | |||||
| Game Decision | |||||||||||||||
| W: Starkenburg (IOWA) 4-8 | |||||||||||||||
| L: Lange (UNI) 3-2 | |||||||||||||||
| S: Riding (IOWA) 1 | |||||||||||||||
