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CONWAY, S.C. – The University of Iowa softball team (1-1) split on day one of the 2020 Kickin’ Chicken Classic at Coastal Carolina University. The Hawkeyes defeated East Carolina University in the first game, 6-5, after Nia Carter’s walk-off single. Iowa fell to Virginia Tech in the second game, 9-1.
Senior Allison Doocy started against East Carolina, registering five strikeouts. Junior Aralee Bogar collected two hits in the first game. Junior Lauren Shaw notched her first win on the mound since April 7, 2018. She did not play last season.
Freshman Kalena Burns opened her season and career, hitting a three-run home run in the first inning against East Carolina.
HEAR FROM COACH GILLISPIE
“We saw great things come from our team in the first game. Aralee Bogar really stepped up today at the lead-off position. We got a big home run from Kalena Burns against East Carolina and it got us on the board and gave our team confidence. We played some good innings, but we also gave up a big inning today. Virginia Tech is a really tough team. We know what level we need to be at. Allison Doocy played great in the first game.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Hawkeyes started off hot offensively in the first inning after back-to-back singles from junior Aralee Bogar and sophomore Riley Sheehy. Freshman Kalena Burns hit a three-run home run to left field, putting Iowa up 3-0.
Iowa and East Carolina were held scoreless in the second inning.
East Carolina notched one run on one hit in the third. Abby Lien collected her second hit of the game.
The Hawkeyes had a big fourth inning after sophomore Kate Claypool’s leadoff single to center. Following Claypool, junior Avery Guy drew a walk. Sophomore Sydney Owens’ sacrifice bunt moved Claypool and Guy to third and second, respectively. Junior Ashley Hamilton’s sacrifice fly to left field scored Claypool, putting Iowa up 4-1. Aralee Bogar hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Guy to stretch Iowa’s lead to 5-1.
But East Carolina tied the game at five each in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on three hits.
Sophomore Miranda Schulte reached base on a fielding error to begin the seventh. Freshman Taylor Ryan entered to pinch run for Schulte. Junior Mia Ruther recorded a single, advancing Ryan to second. A few pitches later, Ryan stole third base and Ruther advanced to second on the throw. Freshman Nia Carter played the hero pinch hitting and registering her first career, walk-off RBI single to win the game over East Carolina, 6-5.
Game 2
Iowa went three-up, three-down at the plate in the first. Virginia Tech jumped on the board on an unearned run in the bottom of the first.
In the second, Senior DoniRae Mayhew collected her first home run of the season and sixth in a Hawkeye uniform. She tied the game at one apiece.
Mia Ruther recorded her first hit of the game in the third, singling to shortstop and beating out the throw. Iowa was held scoreless.
Virginia Tech responded in the third inning, collecting three runs on two hits and one error.
Iowa was held scoreless in the final three innings. Virginia Tech added insurance runs in the fifth, collecting five runs on six hits.
Iowa fell to Virginia Tech, 9-1, in five innings.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes face Campbell University at 8:30 a.m. (CT) and Coastal Carolina University at 10:45 a.m. in day two of the Kickin’ Chicken Classic. A live stream of each game is available on Coastal Carolina’s website at goccusports.com/watch (Subscription required).
