Iowa Drops 2 at Rutgers

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. — University of Iowa softball (16-24, 2-12 Big Ten) played a doubleheader versus Rutgers (22-19, 6-8 Big Ten) on Friday afternoon at the Rutgers Softball Complex. Iowa dropped both games by scores of 3-1 and 1-0.

Freshmen Abby Lien and Cameron Cecil went two for two in hits in their first at bats in each game, game one (Lien) and game two (Cecil).

HEAR FROM COACH GILLISPIE
“We’re trying to figure out how to get the short game going and get some things rolling right now. We had a couple changes in the lineup, we saw some good things form Hamilton and some good things from Cecil.”

“We are still in the same situation, sitting with runners on and can’t seem to get that key hit.”

“Sarah Lehman did a fantastic job in the circle today, she went after them.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1

Rutgers wasted no time, scoring three in the first inning with a two-run home run and an RBI single.

Iowa responded in the second, scoring on a home run from freshman Abby Lien.

The Hawkeyes attempted to rally with Lien notching a double in the fourth inning, and junior DoniRae Mayhew contributing a single but the Hawkeyes stranded two.

Iowa held the Scarlet Knights to three runs, but fell by a score of 3-1.

Game 2

Freshman Cameron Cecil notched a single in the first inning, but was left on.

Rutgers scored first on a wild pitch in the bottom half of the inning.

The Hawkeyes put up a fight in the second. Mayhew singled up the middle, freshman Sydney Owens got on by a fielder’s choice, and sophomore Ashley Hamilton notched a single. They were left on base, and Rutgers led after two, 1-0.

Cecil notched another hit to left field in the top of third but was left on base.

In the fourth inning, junior Alex Rath walked and sophomore Ashley Hamilton notched her second hit of the game, but both runners were left on.

Iowa threatened again in fifth, but couldn’t get on the board. Sophomore Aralee Bogar contributed a hit, Cecil got on by an error, and Mayhew got intentionally walked.

Iowa couldn’t respond and fell to the Scarlet Knights, 1-0 in game two.

IN THE CIRCLE
Junior Allison Doocy pitched a complete game in game one with five strikeouts.  Sophomore Sarah Lehman also pitched a complete game in game two, for the Hawkeyes. Lehman notched five strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will conclude the series at Rutgers, at 11 a.m. (CT) on Sunday. Live stats will be available at hawkeyesports.com/sblive, live audio will be available on Hawkeye All-Access, subscription required, and live streaming will be on BTN Plus.