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Hawkeyes Split on Day 2 of NFCA Leadoff ClassicHawkeyes Split on Day 2 of NFCA Leadoff Classic
Stephen Mally
Softball

Hawkeyes Split on Day 2 of NFCA Leadoff Classic

The University of Iowa softball team went, 1-1, on day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic at Eddie C. Moore Complex on Saturday. Iowa defeated Marshall, 8-0 (6 innings), before falling to No. 10/13 Texas Tech, 11-0 (5 innings).

by Claire Kelly
CLEARWATER, Florida -- The University of Iowa softball team went, 1-1, on day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic at Eddie C. Moore Complex on Saturday. Iowa defeated Marshall, 8-0 (6 innings), before falling to No. 10/13 Texas Tech, 11-0 (5 innings).
 
Junior Jalen Adams (2-0) got the start against Marshall and threw her second complete game in as many games. Junior Tory Bennett went 2-for-3 with a bases clearing double with three RBIs and freshman Allyssa Ramos went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. The Hawkeyes used two different arms in game two against the Red Raiders where sophomore Jaylee Ojo (0-1) got her first start of the season and freshman Talia Tretton came in for relief, recording two strikeouts.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Adams got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes and retired the Herd in order. Five of Iowa's runs came in the first inning thanks to Ramos' double scoring Bennett and Soo-Jin Berry. Senior Tatianna Roman kept Iowa going with a single through left side, scoring Ramos. Freshman Brianna Johnson picked up two RBIs on a single through the left side to out the Hawkeyes up, 4-0. Senior Hannah Lindsay was plated on a Marshall error to cap off the five-run first inning for Iowa. 
 
The Hawkeyes combined defense kept any of the Herd from advancing beyond second base for the entirety of the game. Adams was able to keep the Herd hitters off balance allowing just three baserunners through four innings of play. 
 
In the top of the sixth, Iowa loaded the bases to start the inning. Bennett capitalized with a double to left center to clear the bases and extend the lead, 8-0. The Herd needed one run to extend the game in the home half of the inning, but was unable to bring the leadoff single around Adams shut the door on the run-rule win. 
 
Iowa finished the game with eight runs on 10 hits. Marshall finished the game with no runs on three hits and had two errors.

Game 2
Texas Tech came out swinging, plating seven runners in the first inning on three hits, three walks and one error. The Red Raiders built on their lead by adding four runs in the second inning on four hits and one walk. Iowa had its first baserunner of the game in the top of the fourth as Bennett reached on an error. The Hawkeyes got a runner into scoring position but were unable to plate her. 

Senior Tatianna Roman led off the fifth with an infield single, but the Red Raiders turned a double play to clear the bases. Texas Tech closed out the fifth to secure the run-rule win over the Hawkeyes. The Red Raider pitchers finished the game allowing just two hits and recorded seven strikeouts.

NOTABLES
  • Six Hawkeyes recorded a hit in game one, with three recording multiple hits.
  • Bennett recorded three hits in game one, matching her career-high.
  • Bennett set a new career-high with 3 RBIs against Marshall.

UP NEXT

Iowa (2-2) returns to action tomorrow to face No. 15 Missouri at 9 am CST to close out the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The game will be streamed live on the GameChanger app.