LEESBURG, Florida– The University of Iowa softball team defeated Pittsburgh, 9-4, on Sunday morning at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.
Sophomore Marissa Peek went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, her first of the season, and two RBIs.
“I felt more confident today, and it was a close game at the time, so I wanted to help the team,” said Peek. “I knew the pitcher was going to throw in and out, I was looking for a pitch that I could drive. With my swing that is the pitch I am looking for.”
Sophomore Grace Banes was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Hawkeyes.
Senior Breanna Vasquez got the start and the win in the circle for the Hawkeyes, striking out five in four innings of work.
“Having the defense and the offense, the offense was on fire this weekend,” said Vasquez. “Having them behind my back when I am pitching takes the weight off my shoulders. Knowing that they can produce that many runs.”
Sophomore Denali Loecker came in and threw three shutout innings in relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawkeyes broke the scoring open with a four-run second inning. Loecker got things started with a single. Senior Riley Sheehy reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, and Loecker moved to third. Peek singled and scored Loecker, while Sheehy moved to third. Freshman Riley Moss came in to run for Peek, swiping second base. Junior Sophia Maras hit a single to score the runner from third and sophomore Brylee Klosterman plated another run for the Hawkeyes. Klosterman attempted to steal second but was thrown out allowing Maras to score from third.
Pittsburgh matched the Hawkeyes with four runs in the bottom half of the second. A single, a walk, and a bunt single loaded the bases for the Panthers. A triple cleared the bases and plated three runs before a single plated the runner on third.
Iowa regained the lead in the third inning after freshman Tristin Doster scored on a Loecker sacrifice fly. The Hawkeyes added another run in the fourth inning off the Peek home run. In the fifth inning, Grace Banes hit a leadoff triple and scored on a groundout.
The Hawkeyes added two insurance runs in the seventh after Klosterman walked and stole second. Banes doubled to drive in a run. Banes advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Doster fly ball.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“Being able to capitalize when we had runners in scoring position was really the key to the game. Really have to keep emphasizing that. Burns had a couple good opportunities, was able to get the long fly ball and score the sac fly. Banes hit really well today, was really driving the ball well. Tristin again, Brylee, and Denali in addition to seeing Marissa with her first home run of the season were all good. We are proud of how they played today and were able to get those runs in clutch situations.
“Bre struggled a little early on but then settled in and had two really solid innings. Denali coming in and was tough to hit. She has that drop ball which is tough to get a solid hit off of. She did a great job in relief. We are going to see a lot more games this season with them opening and closing for each other.”
NOTABLES
- The Hawkeyes finished the Northern Lights, Southern Nights invitational, 3-1.
- Iowa tallied 26 runs on the weekend.
- The Hawkeyes stole four bases in today’s contest.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes head to San Diego for the Torero Classic on February 18-20.