LEESBURG, Florida – University of Iowa head softball coach Renee Gillsipie earned her 900th career win on Sunday morning defeating Cornell, 9-0, in five innings.
The Hawkeyes used nine hits and nine RBIs to dispatch the Big Red.
Three players tallied two hits for the Hawkeyes: junior Nia Carter, sophomore Denali Loecker and junior Sophia Maras.
Loecker got the start in the circle throwing four shutout innings to earn her sixth victory of the season. She helped her cause with three RBIs. Freshman Devyn Greer came in and closed the door in the fifth to end the game.
Sophomore Grace Banes and Carter each notched two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Iowa scored a run in the first inning after Maras reached second on an error. A groundout from Banes moved her to third and Loecker brought her home with a single to left field. The Hawkeyes added four runs in the second with two outs. Sophomores Marissa Peek and Brylee Klosterman were both hit by pitch. Maras singled to score Peek, and then Carter brought two runs home with a single. Banes singled and scored Carter.
Iowa added a run in the third after Loecker was hit by a pitch, and junior Kalena Burns reached on a fielder’s choice. Sophomore Sammy Diaz singled moving Burns to second. DeSena singled and scored the runner from second.
In the fourth inning, Maras legged out an infield single and Carter reached on a bunt. Banes reached on an error, scoring Maras. Loecker then doubled to the wall and scored both runners.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“Nine runs for my 900th win. That is kinda nice, pretty cool that it happened that way. I was really impressed with our patience at the plate, they did a really good job one through nine. Very excited about seeing that and finishing the weekend that way.
“Denali had a great outing with the defense behind her. She really did well both in the circle and at the plate. Having Sophia step up this weekend was really important. She came through big for us in the leadoff spot today. Nia again had a really good game as well.”
NOTABLES
- The win was head coach Renee Gillispie’s 900th career win. Gillispie ranks 19th among active coaches in D1 and 38th all-time.
- The Hawkeyes matched a season high with nine runs (previously scored nine against Pittsburgh).
- Loecker is 6-0 in the circle for the Hawkeyes.
- Iowa moves to 9-4 on the season.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes head to Memphis, Tennessee, for the Blues City Classic on March 4-5.