Hawkeyes Sweep Day 1 At The Spring Games

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — The University of Iowa softball team swept day one of The Spring Games, defeating South Alabama (4-2) and UT-Chattanooga (6-0).

Freshman Jalen Adams got her ninth start of the season in game one. She went six innings allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out two. Junior Grace Banes had a big three-run home run to break open the game for the Hawkeyes. Senior Nia Carter and junior Sammy Diaz both finished the contest 2-for-3.

Senior Breanna Vasquez started game two for Iowa. She went five innings allowing no runs, two hits, and struck out seven. Six different Hawkeyes recorded a hit in the game, led by Carter who again went 2-for-3.

Carter finished the day 4-for-6 with a run scored, and one RBI. Junior Denali Loecker entered in relief in both games today. In three innings of work, she allowed no hits and struck out four.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

Iowa got the first baserunner of the game in the top of the third, as freshman Skylinn Pogue got hit in the hands with two outs. The Jaguars got the first hit of the game, with a soft-hit single in the home half of the third.

Carter and sophomore Tatianna Roman led off the fourth with back-to-back singles. South Alabama got two outs and looked to be getting out of the inning, but a Diaz single to center gave Iowa a 1-0 lead. Banes followed that up with a three-run blast over the left center fence to extend the Hawkeye advantage to 4-0. South Alabama got on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to make it, 4-1.

The Jaguars tallied another run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Iowa lead to two. Loecker entered the circle in the seventh for the save opportunity. She sat South Alabama down in order to secure the victory for Iowa.

Game 2

Vasquez retired the Mocs in order with two strikeouts to start the game. The Hawkeyes got on the board early as two runs came into score on a ball put in play by Diaz to take the early 2-0 lead. Iowa kept it going in the second with an RBI single from Roman to extend its lead to three.

The Hawkeyes capitalized in the third inning to further their lead. Sophomore Tristin Doster had a bases-loaded walk to make it, 4-0. Two more runs came home to score on RBIs from freshman Echo Mattiello and Carter.

Vasquez kept the Chattanooga bats quiet through five innings allowing just four base runners. One of which was caught stealing by Doster to end the fifth. Loecker came in, in relief of Vasquez to start the sixth inning. With two outs in the inning, there was a brief rain delay as the Florida skies started to downpour. When play resumed, both teams were quiet as Iowa closed out the win.

HEAR FROM ASSISTANT COACH MANDY GARDNER

“I am really proud of how we came out and got two wins against quality opponents. Both games were complete team wins all the way around with good offense, defense and pitching.”

HEAR FROM THE STUDENT-ATHLETES

“As a team, we have been playing really well and this was a great way to start our trip. It starts with our pitchers, who have been keeping the other teams off the board, so it gives us an opportunity to provide run support. I have been hitting a lot of line drives recently, so it felt good to have one go over.” – Banes

“It was a great day all around today. My defense did a great job behind me, and the offense provided a lot of run support. I felt good going into the game and was confident in my stuff. It was a great team win and I am proud of all of my teammates.” – Vasquez

NOTABLES

• Carter extended her on-base streak to 13 games and has a seven-game hit streak to go along with it.
• This was Iowa’s third Friday sweep of the season.

UP NEXT

Iowa (13-8) returns to action tomorrow for day two of The Spring Games in Madeira Beach. The Hawkeyes will challenge Princeton and Lehigh at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. (CT), respectively. All games will be streamed on FloSoftball (subscription required) and broadcast on Hawkeye Sports Radio.