AMES, Iowa — The University of Iowa softball team was edged by Iowa State, 5-4, in the final Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series contest on Tuesday at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
Senior Breanna Vasquez got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes throwing 2.1 innings and taking the loss. Sophomore Denali Loecker threw 3.2 innings of relief allowing just one run and striking out two.
Sophomore Brylee Klosterman was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Junior Kalena Burns had two RBIs and junior Sophia Maras also tallied an RBI.
The Hawkeyes outhit the Cyclones, 8-7, but left eight runners stranded.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Iowa scored first (19-26) as Loecker singled to the shortstop and Burns doubled to right center scoring Loecker from first base.
Iowa State (22-24) answered with a three-run first inning after a walk, hit-by-pitch, a single and a double.
The Hawkeyes added a run after sophomore Grace Banes doubled to center, sophomore Amber DeSena singled to third base, and senior Riley Sheehy drew a walk. Klosterman flew out to left field to plate the run with the sacrifice fly.
The Cyclones added a run on a solo home run in the third inning. A single and a double in the sixth extended the Iowa State lead to three.
In the top of the seventh, the Hawkeyes scored two runs and cut the lead to one. Sheehy singled to lead off the frame, Klosterman singled to left center, junior Nia Carter reached on a fielder’s choice, and Loecker was hit-by-pitch to load the bases. Burns grounded out to second to score the runner from third, and Maras singled through the left side plating another run for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa had the tying run on third, but a flyout ended the game.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“We started strong, getting on the board in the first inning. Denali did a good job coming into the circle and keeping us in the game. It’s tough playing from behind, but I felt like we did a great job in the seventh inning coming back and giving ourselves an opportunity to win. We have to keep building.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes head to Evanston, Illinois, for a three-game series with No. 8 Northwestern Friday through Sunday.