Loecker and Hawkeyes Crush Boilermakers

WEST LAYFAETTE, Indiana – The University of Iowa Softball team (10-6) defeated Purdue (5-11), 8-3, on Sunday afternoon at Bittinger Stadium to win the season series against the Boilermakers. The Hawkeyes were led by freshmen Denali Loecker and Marissa Peek.

Loecker went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and her first career home run.

“I just went into the game trusting myself,” said Loecker. “I knew I needed to trust my eyes and hit the ball for my team. Move the runners and do not try too hard, just see the ball, and hit the ball. It worked out.”

Peek hit two doubles for the Hawkeyes and brought home another RBI.

“I was just looking for my pitch to drive,” said Peek. “Trying to swing at good pitches and help my team any way I could.

Senior Allison Doocy pitched a complete game in the win, striking out four batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

Purdue opened the scoring in the bottom of the first plating one run on double and a single. The Hawkeyes answered back in the second inning after Bogar drew a walk and Peek doubled to bring her home.

Iowa added another run in the third inning after Zoe Schulte reached on an error and scored on a Grace Banes double.

The Hawkeyes broke things open in the fourth inning scoring four runs. Peek doubled down the left field line, Klosterman grounded out moving her to third. Purdue elected to intentionally walk Nia Carter who promptly stole second. DeSena, running for Peek, and Carter both scored on a two RBI single by Schulte. Banes reached on an error and Loecker doubled to center to score her and Schulte. The Hawkeyes added two more runs in the sixth after a Banes walk and a Loecker home run. Purdue scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but their rally would be cut short with a ground out to Doocy.

HIGHLIGHTS    

• The Hawkeyes have won eight of their last 10 games.
• Freshman Denali Loecker hit her first career home run.
• Loecker leads to team with 12 RBIs, six of which came this weekend.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE

“You look at the offensive side of it and how we have to start producing. To be able to see eight runs on nine hits today, that was the difference of that game. Being able to produce with runners in scoring position. Marissa had great at-bats, Banes had great at-bats. Zoe was a big spark in that fourth inning, rallying with two outs. It was good to see her come in off the bench and do a good job for us.

“Looking at Doocy and how she came out and finished all seven innings. We were ready to throw our staff if we needed to. But Doocy went out and did a good job of mixing her changeups in today, keeping the batters off balance.

“It was great to see Denali get that home run. She is a solid number four for us. We mixed with the lineup a little bit yesterday but to see her come back in the four and really produce for us was huge.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes host Indiana on Friday, April 2, at 3 p.m. (CT)