Vasquez and Hawkeyes Ring Up Riverside

SAN DIEGO, California – Senior pitcher Breanna Vasquez struck out a career high 13 batters in the University of Iowa softball team’s rout of University of California Riverside.

The Hawkeyes defeated the Highlanders, 7-0, on Saturday afternoon on the second day of the Torero Classic.

Four Hawkeyes had multiple hits in the game. Junior Nia Carter, sophomore Grace Banes, junior Kalena Burns, and sophomore Denali Loecker.

Vasquez recorded her third win of the season, pitching all seven innings in the shutout.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

The Hawkeyes got the scoring started in the third inning when sophomore Brylee Klosterman walked and stole second. Carter walked and Banes laid down a sacrifice bunt scoring Klosterman from second. Burns then singled and scored Carter from third.

Iowa added three runs in the fourth. Loecker homered to left field to lead off the inning. Sheehy singled, and freshman Emma Henderson drew a walk. Sheehy and freshman Haley Downe advanced on a wild pitch and Sheehy scored on a groundout by sophomore Amber DeSena.

A two-run fifth inning broke things further open. Burns singled and freshman Tristin Doster reached on a fielder’s choice. Loecker singled and loaded the bases. Emma Henderson singled to right field on a check-swing blooper and scored two runs.

Klosterman singled to lead off the sixth inning and Carter singled down the right field line to move her to third. Banes singled scoring Klosterman.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE 

“Great performance from Bre with a career high in strikeouts. Great defense behind her. Like seeing them come back from last night’s game and putting some big runs on the board.”

NOTABLES 

• The Hawkeyes moved to 5-2 on the season
• Vasquez recorded a career high 13 strikeouts; her previous high (11) came at UCF against Wichita State
• Klosterman recorded a career high two stolen bases

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes face San Diego at 9 p.m. (CT) tonight.