RALEIGH, N.C. — The University of Iowa softball team defeated NC State in five innings, 11-2, on day one of the ACC/B1G Challenge at Dail Softball Stadium.
Sophomore Devyn Geer got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes and went the distance. In five innings she gave up one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts.
Eight Hawkeyes registered a hit, led by senior Nia Carter who had a multi-hit game (3-for-4) with two RBIs and two runs scored. Junior Denali Locker had a team-high four RBIs, including a three-run homerun in the first.
Iowa finished the contest with 11 runs on 10 hits and four walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Iowa got things going quickly as Carter reached on a leadoff infield single and freshman Tory Bennett reached on an error. Loecker sent a no-doubter to straight-away center to give the Hawkeyes an early 3-0 lead in the first. The Wolfpack answered in the home half of the inning, getting two runners in scoring position with one out. One run came across to cut the Hawkeye advantage to two.
In the second, Iowa was able to get two runners into scoring position but could not bring either one home. NC State had back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the second, but Greer locked in and got out of the inning unscathed.
Iowa had a huge fourth inning sending 11 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs to extend its lead to 11-1. In the inning there were RBIs from five different Hawkeyes including a two, two-RBI singles off the bats of Carter and sophomore Grace Banes and a pinch-hit RBI double from sophomore Emma Henderson. The Wolfpack got one back in the bottom of the fourth to make it 11-2.
Going into the home half of the fifth, NC State needed two runs to extend the game. The Wolfpack started the inning off with a leadoff double, but once again Greer shut the door. She ended the game on consecutive strikeouts.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“We came out and played a fun and relaxed game of softball. There was a lot of waiting around today, so I was very happy to see them come out and execute the way that they did. We saw a lot of production throughout the lineup and in the circle. Devyn got it done.”
HEAR FROM NIA CARTER
“I went in and trusted in the plan we had set for the game. I knew my teammates had my back which helped my confidence in the box. This was a great team win and we’re excited to get back out there tomorrow!”
NOTABLES
- Loecker tied a career high with four RBIs.
- Iowa posted its second run rule victory of the season; the Hawkeyes had two all last season.
- Carter registered her second multi-hit game of the season.
- Greer threw Iowa’s first complete game of the season.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action tomorrow in day two of the ACC/B1G Challenge. Iowa will face Syracuse at 9 a.m. (CT), followed by a rematch with NC State at 2 p.m. (CT). The game against NC State will be streamed on ACCNX (subscription required).