Piscataway, New Jersey – The University of Iowa softball team launched four home runs on their way to victory against Rutgers. The Hawkeyes defeated the Scarlet Knights, 11-8, on a windy afternoon at the Rutgers Softball Complex.
Freshman Brylee Klosterman went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and hit her first career home run for the Hawkeyes.
“I was just trying to keep it simple,” said Klosterman. “I wanted to get on base for my teammates, bring my teammates around. I went up there with a two-strike approach and not let good pitches go by. When I get a good pitch see it and hit it.”
Freshman Marissa Peek had three RBIs on a home run, and Kalena Burns was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Freshman Denali Loecker drew three walks and was hit by a pitch to reach base safely four times.
Senior Aralee Bogar hit a grand slam in the sixth inning to break things open for the Hawkeyes.
“In my previous at bat I saw a good pitch and just got under it,” said Bogar. “I knew that she would throw it over the plate, and I needed to wait for one. It happened to be the first pitch, and I just put the best swing I could on it, and it happened to go out. It was exciting because it was an opportunity I was waiting for and I took advantage of it.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rutgers scored two runs in the first inning off of three singles and a fielders choice. The Hawkeyes got on the board and after a Klosterman single, Loecker was hit by a pitch, and Burns singled to left center scoring Klosterman.
Iowa loaded the bases in the fifth inning after Klosterman singled, Riley Sheehy was hit by a pitch, and Loecker drew a walk. Burns reached on a fielders choice that plated Klosterman. Peek homered to bring home another three runs. Rutgers answered with three runs in their half of the fifth. In the sixth the Hawkeyes hit two solo home runs, one by Grace Banes and one by Klosterman. Rutgers scored one run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Hawkeyes had a big seventh inning to break things open. Loecker and Burns walked to lead off the inning. Peek moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. Banes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Bogar then hit a grand slam to left field to clear the bases and give the Hawkeyes a five-run lead. Rutgers scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but their rally would fall short with the winning run at the plate.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“I am proud of how they kept fighting. We had home runs out of Klosterman and Bogar, who are not normally home run hitters for us. They had huge home runs for us, and that was really the difference in the ball game.”
“I thought that Sarah (Lehman) did a great job going into the fifth inning. It seemed like they had started to adjust the third time around, so it was good to see Shaw come in and give them a different look for those last three innings. We gave up six runs in three innings, and you cannot afford to do that, but it was that way of a game. It was the fight, just staying in it and keep hitting, and knowing that in the long run we would come out ahead.”
NOTABLES
- The Hawkeyes scored a season high 11 runs today.
- Freshman Brylee Klosterman hit her first career home run.
- Junior Riley Sheehy has now reached base safely in eight straight games.
- The Hawkeyes are now 2-0 on the season when they hit two or more home runs.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes take on Rutgers in a double header on Saturday starting at noon.
