MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Memphis, 8-0, on Friday night at the Tiger Softball Complex.
Sophomore Denali Loecker got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes, throwing six innings and striking out a career-high eight batters. The Ogden, Iowa, native was 2-for-2 at the plate with a solo home run and a double.
Junior Sophia Maras was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sophomore Grace Banes and freshman Madison Weaver each had two RBI for Iowa.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Iowa jumped ahead in the top of the first and never looked back. Maras singled to lead off the game and junior Nia Carter reached on an error. Banes doubled to left center scoring both runners.
The Hawkeyes added another run in the third after Loecker doubled to right center and sophomore Amber DeSena doubled to score Loecker. Loecker hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth.
A two-run sixth inning grew Iowa’s lead even further. Sophomores Marissa Peek and Zoe Schulte singled, and freshman Madison Weaver hit a double to score them both.
Freshman Tristin Doster singled to lead off the seventh, senior Kate Claypool was hit by a pitch and DeSena reached on an error to load the bases. Maras singled to first base to scoreDoster from third. Carter singled through the right side to score Claypool.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“All around, it was a solid team performance. Everyone in the lineup had an opportunity and they stepped up when they needed to. It was another great performance for Denali with the eight strikeouts. Greer did a good job coming in to close it out. It was just a great team performance, that’s what we are looking for every game.”
NOTABLES
* Iowa moves to 11-4 on the season. The Hawkeyes are 7-0 when scoring six or more runs.
* The win was the seventh win for Loecker, moving her to 7-0 on the season.
* The home run was Loecker’s third of the season and her second of the day.
UP NEXT
Iowa returns to action tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. (CT) against Butler.