MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — The University of Iowa softball team dominated Lafayette, 8-0 (5 innings), in a run-rule victory on Tuesday to close out The Spring Games.
Senior Breanna Vasquez (7-1) made her third start of the tournament and had a light-out performance. She threw a complete-game, one-hitter and struck out a season-high 11 batters.
Seven Hawkeyes recorded at least one hit, led by sophomore Tatianna Roman who went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Iowa’s one through three hitters went a combined 7-for-8 with six runs scored and four RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Vasquez was masterful in the circle, recording a strikeout in every inning and struck out the side in the first and the third. She was perfect through four innings until Lafayette led off the fifth with a double.
The Hawkeyes came out swinging early as senior Nia Carter led off the first frame with a double. They were able to load the bases with no outs and the first run came across on a bases-loaded walk by junior Grace Banes. Junior Sammy Diaz extended the lead to two with an RBI single to center.
Freshman Tory Bennett extended Iowa’s lead to three, with an RBI double in second. The fourth was the inning of extra base hits for the Hawkeyes as they had four doubles and one triple. It started with a lead-off double by junior Brylee Klosterman, who came around to score on a double from freshman Anna Streff. Carter had an RBI single to make it, 5-0. Back-to-back doubles from Roman and Bennett extended the advantage to seven and the final run came in on an RBI triple from Banes.
You get a double, you get a double!!@t_bennett02 records the #Hawkeyes 4th double of the inning to plate another run!
B4 | Iowa 7, Laf. 0 pic.twitter.com/Z0WGX1j39n
— Iowa Softball (@iowasoftball) March 14, 2023
Vasquez shut the door on the Leopards after giving up the leadoff double and ended the game with her 11th strikeout.
HEAR FROM ASSISTANT COACH MANDY GARDNER
“I am really proud of how Bre was able to work ahead. She trusted her pitches and the defense behind her today. She’s been feeling good, trusting her stuff, and throwing the ball really well. Her demeanor on the mound has been great. She’s been able to take control and dominate other teams. I am so happy to see her offseason hard work paying off in her final season.”
HEAR FROM BREANNA VASQUEZ
“All around it was a great day of softball. Our bats were on fire and that helped me be at ease on the mound. I felt comfortable out there and was just working to get outs. I was feeling loose and was able to let it fly. I am happy with our performance as a team and I can’t wait to head to USF this weekend and put some more work in.”
NOTABLES
- Carter extended her on-base streak to 17 games and has a 11-game hit streak to go along with it.
- Roman recorded her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
- Vasquez had a season-high 11 strikeouts.
- Vasquez had not allowed a run in her last four appearances.
- Iowa finished The Spring Games going 5-1.
UP NEXT
Iowa (16-9) returns to action on Friday at the South Florida Showdown hosted by USF. The Hawkeyes open play against Marist at 8 a.m. (CT). The game will have radio broadcast available on Hawkeye Sports Radio.