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MADISON, Wis. — The University of Iowa softball team evened the series against Wisconsin with a 4-3 win in game two Saturday afternoon at Goodman Diamond. The Hawkeyes dropped an 8-1 decision in game one Friday night.
“We played a good game today,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “You win and lose as a team, and today we won as a team because we kept fighting. I can’t say enough about our offense and how they turned around and took advantage of a different pitcher. It was nice to be able to manufacture some runs early and then continue to be productive throughout the game.”
Allie Wood was 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Cheyenne Pratt was 2-for-3 and Lea Thompson was 2-for-4 with two runs. Kaitlyn Mullarkey, Claire Fritsch, and Katy Taylor also added hits. Allison Doocy earned the win, throwing eight strikeouts and allowing four hits in a complete 7.0 innings pitched.
The Hawkeyes took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Thompson hit a bunt single, advanced to second on a Mullarkey sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a Wood single, and scored as Angela Schmiederer reached first on a fielder’s choice.
Wisconsin (24-7, 3-5 Big Ten) drew even in the bottom of the second inning with a Stephanie Lombardo RBI single to left field.
Iowa responded with three runs in the fifth frame. Thompson singled to right field and advanced to third on a Mullarkey single before scoring on Wood’s single to the pitcher. Mullarkey scored on a sacrifice fly by Schmiederer, and Wood scored as pinch hitter Taylor Libby reached first on an error.
The Badgers added a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning when Kelsey Jenkins hit a two-RBI home run over left field.
“We are probably going to see Kaitlyn Menz again tomorrow,” said Looper. “We need to approach her the way we approached the pitcher today to get the outcome we are looking for. She’s a quality pitcher. We have to take control of our at-bats and attack when we are on offense.”
The Hawkeyes (9-22, 3-5 Big Ten) take on the Badgers in the rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT) at Goodman Diamond.