IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa softball team defeated Indiana, 2-1, in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes scored the game-winning run with a walk-off single from Riley Sheehy. The game was the seventh extra inning game for the Hawkeyes, they have won five of those seven.
Freshman Brylee Klosterman came up big for the Hawkeyes going 2-for-2 on the day and drawing a walk. She plated the game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-out RBI single.
“They are long games, but they are fun,” said Klosterman. “The energy in the dugout is great. We seem to pick it up later in the game when we have to. It is a fun environment to be around when everyone is fighting hard to get that win for each other.”
Sheehy played the role of hero hitting a walk-off single to end the contest and give Iowa (13-7) the series win over Indiana.
“It was an exciting game the whole way through,” said Sheehy. “Everybody came up when they needed to in certain situations. I’m glad I was able to come through for my teammates, just like they had done in previous innings to keep the game rolling and get that win.”
Senior pitcher Lauren Shaw improved to 3-0 on the season picking up the win for the Hawkeyes in four innings of relief. Senior Allison Doocy started the contest and struck out seven batters, while surrendering only one run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Indiana (8-10) scored in the fifth inning after a two-out single and double. The Hawkeyes broke through with their first hit in the bottom of the seventh inning, a double down the left field line by Lindy Milkowski. Avery Guy, pinch running for Milkowski, would reach third on a single by Marissa Peek. With two down in the bottom of the seventh, Ashley Hamilton reached on a catchers interference call. Klosterman would single up the middle to score the tying run.
In the bottom of the 10th, with Diaz on second for the international tiebreaker, Klosterman would lay down a sacrifice bunt to move her over to third. With two outs, Sheehy singled and scored the game-winning RBI.
HIGHLIGHTS
- This was the seventh extra-inning game for Iowa, who improved to 5-2 in those contests.
- The Hawkeyes have won 11 of their last 14.
- Iowa won its fourth series of the season (Penn State, Maryland, Purdue, and Indiana).
- The pitching staff had a combined 1.13 ERA in the four-game series, allowing only five runs over 31 innings.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“It is crazy every time we have an extra inning game. It is like their energy accelerates. They increase their focus and discipline when we get in extra innings. It is interesting to see how they get motivated more once we get to extra innings. It is fun to watch. It’s fun to see them come in and want to be the one to come in for the big hit.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on Wisconsin Badgers in a four-game series on April 9-11.
