IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Indiana in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes took Game 1 in five innings defeating Indiana by run rule, 8-0. The Hawkeyes won the second game, 1-0.
Freshmen Denali Loecker was 4-for-5 on the day, including a two-run home run in the first game.
“Our team just never gives up; we always have fire,” said Loecker. “Obviously, we were down yesterday after the loss. But our team just never gives up and we always bounce back. Today you could see during warmups that we had the grit in our eyes that we just wanted to win these games, and it worked.”
Sophomore Kalena Burns had a three-run double for the Hawkeyes in the opener. Freshman Lindy Milkowski added a two-run home run.
In Game 2, the rookie class came through again, this time when freshman Marissa Peek hit a solo home run for what proved to be the game-winner.
“We wanted to win today,” said Peek. “After the tough loss yesterday, we didn’t want to go nine innings again. We wanted to beat them in seven and that is what we did. Our pitching was great, and our hitting really came out on top.”
Senior pitcher Allison Doocy picked up the complete game shutout in the first game. She struck out seven on her way to the victory. She notched her first save of the season in the second game. Lauren Shaw started the second game and pitched six innings of shutout ball to get her second win of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Hawkeyes got two runs in the first inning after Grace Banes singled and Loecker homered. Iowa would add three more runs in the fourth inning. The Hawkeyes loaded the bases with Aralee Bogar reaching on a fielders choice, Brylee Klosterman reaching on catcher interference and Nia Carter drawing a walk. Burns would double to centerfield and clear the bases for the Hawkeyes. Another three-run inning in the fifth was all it took for the Hawkeyes. Loecker would draw a walk and Milkowski homered. Peek and DeSena reached on errors, and Erin Carter was hit by a pitch. Nia Carter drew a walk to bring home the game-ending run.
Game 2
The lone run in the second game came off the bat of Peek with a solo shot to left field. In the top of the seventh Indiana put a runner on second and third but Milkowksi was able to pick off the runner at third to end the game.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Hawkeyes have won 10 of their last 13 games.
- Three freshmen hit home runs for the Hawkeyes today: Loecker, Milkowski, and Peek.
- Game 1 was the Hawkeyes’ first run-rule victory of the season.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“The pitching right now, you look at Doocy in that first game she was under 100 pitches in that game. She did a great job of being able to get up in the count and doing what she needed to do to give us a chance. Shaw coming in that second game, I am really proud of how she came out. She worked her change up in there and kept them off balance that whole time. We can’t do this without the three pitchers we have.
“These are Midwest kids; these are kids that are blue collar and know how to work. They know how to take care of business. You saw Denali and Peek are the same way. Those are hardworking kids, and they are coming out doing what they need to do.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes complete the series with Indiana on Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT)
