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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Six Hawkeyes combined for eight hits to lead the University of Iowa softball team to a 5-0 victory over Purdue on Saturday afternoon in game two of the series at Bittinger Stadium.
“We came out ready to attack today,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “We had one mindset and one focus, and that’s all that mattered. It started with the first pitch. We set the tone early today. It’s nice when we are able to attack early, and then we continued to attack instead of putting up a couple of runs and then sitting on them.”
Angela Schmiederer was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Allie Wood was 2-for-4 with two runs. Kaitlyn Mullarkey, Devin Cantu, Brooke Rozier, and Taylor Libby chipped in hits as well. Allison Doocy earned the win, throwing six strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched.
The Hawkeyes jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Lea Thompson walked and advanced to second on a Mullarkey bunt single before scoring on a Cantu single through the left side. Cantu scored as Schmiederer singled through the left side.
Iowa extended its lead in the top of the third frame when Wood doubled down the left field line and scored on a Rozier double to center field. Purdue (15-22, 4-1 Big Ten) threatened to cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning with two in scoring position, but Doocy worked out of the jam to hold the Boilermakers scoreless.
Iowa added a run in the fifth inning as Wood singled, stole second, and scored on a Schmiederer triple to right field. In the sixth frame, pinch hitter Taylor Libby recorded her first hit as a Hawkeye with a single to center field. Katy Taylor entered as a pinch runner and advanced to third on a Purdue error before scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Thompson.
“The team that takes care of the ball is probably going to win, and we did a better job of that today,” said Looper. “We kept plugging away. We saw three of their pitchers today, so we will probably see one of those three again tomorrow when we have the rubber match. It’s nice to be sitting in this position.”
The Hawkeyes (7-21, 1-4 Big Ten) face Purdue on Sunday in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT) on Big Ten Network.