Hawkeyes Walk Off The Matadors

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The University of Iowa softball team split action on day two of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. They fell to Cal, 6-4, in game one before defeating Cal State Northridge (CSUN), 4-3, in walk-off fashion in the night cap.

The Hawkeyes used three different arms in game one. Senior Breanna Vasquez got the start and went two innings allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two.

Iowa’s first four hitters went a combined 7-for-13 against the Bears.

Sophomore Devyn Greer went a solid six innings in game two, allowing two earned runs on four hits with five strikeouts. Sophomore Emma Henderson came in in the seventh and sat the Matadors down to put her in line for the win.

Senior, Nia Carter, continued her tear in game two, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Junior Denali Loecker delivered the game winning hit in the bottom of the seventh for her only hit of the game. She finished with game with three RBIs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

Cal opened the scoring early, with a two-run home run to take the lead, 2-0, in the first inning. Iowa was able to get two on in the bottom of the first but was unable to bring them around. Loecker came in in relief to open the third inning for Iowa. Cal was able to get the bases loaded with only one out, but Loecker buckled down and got out of the jam unscathed.

The Hawkeyes opened the home half of the fourth with back-to-back singles. They got their first run of the game on a Cal error to make it, 2-1. Iowa was able to tie it at two on an RBI single off the bat of junior Grace Banes. The Hawkeyes took the lead, 3-2, as freshman Avery Jackson scored on a wild pitch.

Iowa was able to extend their lead when Carter came around to score after a lead-off single to make it, 4-2. Cal was able to get runners on first and third with one out to knock Loecker out of the circle. Freshman Jalen Adams came into the game and gave up a three-run homerun as Cal retook the lead, 5-4. The Bears were able to add an insurance run in the seventh on a solo home run to left field.

In the home half of the seventh, Iowa tried to rally as they were able to load the bases but Cal shut the door and won, 6-4.

Game 2

Greer came out firing in game two and sat the CSUN batters down in order to start the game. The Hawkeyes got things going as Carter led off with a single, followed by a walk to sophomore Tatianna Roman. Carter had extremely heads up baserunning and was able to score from second on a slow ground out to the short stop off the bat of Loecker.

The Matadors tied the game at one in the top of the third after a they opened the inning with a double. In the bottom of the fourth, Iowa got two runners on, and sophomore Tristin Doster came through with an RBI single for her first hit of the season to take the lead, 2-1.

In the top of the fifth, CSUN tied it at two as a lead off walk came around to score on a sacrifice fly to right field. The Hawkeyes got their first tow runners on in the home half of the inning but were unable to capitalize and left them stranded.

The Matadors led off the sixth with a triple to right field, and she came in to score on an error by Iowa to retake the lead, 3-2. E. Henderson replaced Greer in the circle for the seventh inning and went three up, three down.

In the final frame, Carter had a one out single for her third hit of the game. Roman and freshman Tory Bennett followed up with back-to-back singles to load the bases with one out. Loecker came through for Iowa and delivered a walk-off, two RBI single to sucre the victory for the Hawkeyes.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE

“We really bounced back in the second game. Devyn threw a great game and put us in a position to be able to win. I can’t say enough about Denali’s offensive performance so far this season. She is exactly who we wanted to be at the plate in that situation and she came up big.”

HEAR FROM THE DENALI LOECKER

“I was just trying to see the ball and make contact. Going into that at bat I had struck out twice so I was just trying to make something happen. With the bases loaded I know if I was able to put it in play, that runners were going to be able to move up.”

NOTABLES

• Greer had a new season-high in innings pitched (6.0) and strikeouts (5)
• Carter finished the day going 5-for-6 and scored three of the teams’ eight runs on the day
• Loecker has a team-leading 11 game hit streak

UP NEXT

Iowa (8-5) returns to action tomorrow for the final day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The Hawkeyes will face Oregon State at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be streamed on FloSoftball (subscription required).