WEST LAYFAETTE, Indiana – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Purdue, 4-2, on Friday afternoon at Bittinger Stadium. The Hawkeyes saw senior pitcher Sarah Lehman go the distance in her sixth complete game of the season, improving to 5-1 in the circle.
Lehman struck out three and allowed only three hits and one earned run in the contest. Iowa got the bats going behind Lehman, recording a season-high 13 hits.
Sophomore Kalena Burns went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Four Hawkeyes had multiple hits in the contest; Burns, junior Riley Sheehy, senior Ashley Hamilton, and freshman Brylee Klosterman.
“We definitely prepared very well for this weekend,” said Burns. “We practiced hard this past week. Going into the game our mindset was to hit the ball hard and have some fun, and that is what we did”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawkeyes struck first in the top of the first after a Sheehy single and a Denali Loecker double to centerfield. Iowa added another two runs in the fourth inning after Lindy Milkowksi drew a walk and Kalena Burns hit a double to bring pinch runner Zoe Schulte home. A Brylee Klosterman single would bring home Amber DeSena who was running for Burns. Purdue answered back with a solo homerun in the bottom half of the fourth. The Hawkeyes would score again in the sixth inning on a Klosterman single and a Sheehy single. Purdue got their second run of the day in the sixth after a double, a wild pitch, and a passed ball.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Freshman Lindy Milkowski extended her on-base streak to six games.
- In six appearances for the Hawkeyes Lehman has six complete games and five wins.
- Loecker hit her sixth double of the season. Going into this weekend she was tied for second in the conference with five.
HEAR FROM WINNING PITCHER SARAH LEHMAN
“Just going out there and starting out strong is a big way for me to get through these games. You know that your defense has your back, and you can throw whatever you need or want, and they will have your back. It is awesome.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes continue the series with Purdue in a doubleheader starting at noon (CT) tomorrow.