MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The University of Iowa softball team fell to Minnesota in the series opener (6-0) on Friday afternoon at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Senior Breanna Vasquez (16-5) took the circle for game one versus the Gophers. She went five innings allowing five runs on six hits and striking out five. Junior Denali Loecker made her 19th relief appearance of the season. Senior Nia Carter was the only Hawkeye with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Carter led off the game with a double down the right field line, but that would be the only action for the Hawkeyes as she was left stranded. Minnesota got two runners on base via the walk in the bottom of the inning, but Vasquez got out of the frame with them both on first and second.
The Hawkeyes were able to get two runners in scoring position in the third but were unable to bring either one home. In the bottom of the inning, the Gophers got things going with a single and then took a 2-0 lead on a one-out home run to left field.
Both teams went without a hit after the third until freshman Tory Bennett had a two-out single in the sixth inning. She was left stranded as the Gophers took their, 2-0, lead into the bottom of the sixth. Minnesota had back-to-back doubles to start the inning, extending its lead to three. They followed it up with a two-run home run to stretch their advantage to five. Loecker entered the game in relief with one out in the inning. The Gophers were able to tack on one more run.
NOTABLES
- Carter extended her on-base streak to 12 games and her hit streak to nine.
- Vasquez’s five strikeouts has her two away from 400 in her career.
UP NEXT
Iowa (28-18, 8-7) returns to action on Saturday for game two against Minnesota (26-16, 7-6). First pitch at Cowles Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT). The game will be streamed at B1G+ (subscription required) and broadcast live on Hawkeye Radio Network.
