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MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The University of Iowa softball team (17-5) cruised to two victories against Central Michigan and Ohio on Saturday at The Spring Games. Iowa defeated Central Michigan, 5-0, and took down Ohio, 1-0, in the nightcap. Pitchers Lauren Shaw and Allison Doocy gave up zero runs on nine hits.
Shaw (9-2) went the distance for Iowa against Central Michigan, giving up six hits, walking none and striking out five. In the batter’s box, Sophomore Riley Sheehy powered Iowa, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double. Sophomore Kit Rocco also chipped in, going 1-for-3 with her first home run in a Hawkeye uniform and two RBIs. Freshman Erin Carter compiled a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-3 with her first-career home run.
In the finale against Ohio, Doocy (7-2) got the win for the Hawkeyes, giving up three hits, walking one and striking out four. Freshman Nia Carter led the way offensively for the Hawkeyes, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame. Freshman Kalena Burns put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior Havyn Monteer also helped out, going 2-for-3 for Iowa.
HEAR FROM NIA CARTER
“I think we came out with a better mindset today. We had a tough loss yesterday, and we knew we had to make an adjustment coming into today. We came out swinging from the beginning in the first game. The second game against Ohio was a close one, but Doocy held it down on the mound and we came out with a great team win.”
HEAR FROM ALLISON DOOCY
“Tonight’s game against Ohio was a defensive battle. Our team played solid defense from start to finish. Our hitters continued to put the ball in play in order to make things happen. Nia and Kalena were able to come up clutch and give us a run. Sweeping Saturday gives us the confidence to finish strong during our final preseason tournament next weekend.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Hawkeyes took the lead for good in the second. Avery Guy singled on a bunt and then stole second before advancing to third on Erin Carter’s ground ball to first. Kate Claypool stepped in and delivered a sacrifice bunt, pushing Guy across home.
In the third, Mia Ruther started Iowa’s big inning with an infield single followed by a stolen base. A few plays later, Kit Rocco claimed her first-career home run as a Hawkeye, pushing Iowa’s lead to three.
In the fourth, Iowa tacked on another run thanks to Erin Carter’s first-career home run.
Iowa added an insurance run in the sixth when Abby Lien singled to center, scoring Sheehy from second.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
» Shaw tossed a six-hit shutout for the Hawkeyes.
» Shaw struck out five Chippewas.
» Iowa’s highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Hawkeyes had control of the rest of the game after jumping ahead of the Chippewas 1-0 in the top of the second.
» The Hawkeyes out-hit the Chippewas at an 8-6 clip.
» Iowa went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Shaw limited Central Michigan to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Shaw faced 27 Central Michigan hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and four fly balls while striking out five.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawkeyes scored the game’s only run in the first. Nia Carter got Iowa going on a lead-off single up the middle. Aralee Bogar sacrifice bunted N. Carter from first to second. On the next play, Iowa got an RBI single to left from Burns, scoring Carter from second base.
Iowa threatened to score again in the third inning after loading the bases. The Bobcats’ defense prevailed, giving up no runs on two hits.
Havyn Monteer lead the sixth off with a single through the right side and then stole second. Nia Carter bunted Monteer from second to third, but Monteer was thrown out at home on Erin Carter’s ground ball to the pitcher.
Iowa played stellar defense throughout the ball game, allowing no runs on three hits.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
» Doocy tossed a three-hit shutout for the Hawkeyes.
» Carter picked up three base knocks in the game for Iowa.
» Iowa’s highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed one run across.
» Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn’t surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Hawkeyes out-hit the Bobcats at a 10-3 clip.
» Doocy faced 23 Ohio hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out four.
» Carter led the Hawkeyes at the plate, going 3-for-3.
UP NEXT
Next up for Iowa is a matchup on March 13 at 8 a.m. (CT) against Southeast Missouri State at the University of South Florida Tournament.
FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES
Stay up-to-date on all the happenings with the Iowa softball program on social media via Twitter (@Iowasoftball), Instagram/iowasoftball, and Facebook/iowahawkeyessoftball.
