IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa softball team fell to Ohio State, 7-3, on Friday at Pearl Field in the first of a three-game series this weekend.
Freshman Devyn Greer got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes throwing four innings and taking the loss.
Freshman Emma Henderson threw one inning of relief, followed by sophomore Denali Loecker throwing two innings with two strikeouts.
Senior Riley Sheehy, sophomore Brylee Klosterman, and Loecker each hit a solo home run for the Hawkeyes. Juniors Nia Carter and Sophia Maras put up two hits each.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ohio State (24-10, 5-5) scored first in the second inning, plating two runs on two hits. The Buckeyes hit a three-run blast to extend their lead in the fourth.
The Hawkeyes started to come back with two runs in the sixth, with back-to-back solo blasts from Sheehy and Klosterman.
Ohio State hit a two-run home run in the seventh to add insurance.
Iowa (18-21, 1-11) added its final tally on Loecker’s solo home run in the seventh.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“We talk all the time about coming up in timely situations. We had bases loaded and left runners on and that is the difference in a game. Handley is a good pitcher. She is a transfer and has some great wins under her belt. We focused on what we could do against her. As a lefty, she’s tough to know. We stayed focused trying to get the bat on the ball. We knew she was providing the speed. We just had to get the bat on the ball and make that happen, which you saw with the three home runs. It was fantastic to see Riley getting her first career home run.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes and Ohio State will play the middle game of the series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (CT). The game is a gold out.