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Hawkeyes Drop Final Game of Dr. Christine Grant ClassicHawkeyes Drop Final Game of Dr. Christine Grant Classic
Softball

Hawkeyes Drop Final Game of Dr. Christine Grant Classic

The University of Iowa softball team fell to South Dakota State, 7-4, on Sunday afternoon at Pearl Field.

Box Score (PDF)
by Emily Broderick
Box Score
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball team fell to South Dakota State, 7-4, on Sunday afternoon at Pearl Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
The Hawkeyes struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Kiara Sipe and Brianna Johnson reached base and moved into scoring position at first and third on consecutive plays. The duo executed a successful double steal, allowing Sipe to score and give Iowa a 1-0 lead.

South Dakota State responded in the top of the third with an RBI single to even the score. The Jackrabbits took control in the fourth inning, launching a three-run home run to extend their lead to 4-1.

Iowa answered in the bottom of the fifth. Avery Jackson and Tory Bennett reached base to put runners on the corners. Nailyn Marshall drove in Jackson with a sacrifice fly, cutting into the deficit. Leah McAnally followed with a double, scoring Bennett from first. Sipe continued the rally with a double of her own, bringing home Breanna Caffery, who entered as a pinch runner for McAnally, to tie the game at four.

The Jackrabbits regained the lead in the top of the sixth, plating three runs. South Dakota State held Iowa scoreless in the final two innings to secure the 7-4 victory.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH STACY MAY-JOHNSON
“We have to keep looking for ways to get better because it just takes a small push to get us on the other side of these games,” said head coach Stacy May-Johnson. “We’re learning to make adjustments, we’re learning to game plan for pitchers and we’re learning to deal with failure. This was still a very good growth weekend; unfortunately, we don’t have as many wins as we would have liked to show for it.”
 
NOTABLES 
  • Sipe went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.
  • Iowa pitchers combined for six strikeouts.
  • The Hawkeyes successfully overturned one run and prevented another on runner leaving early challenges.
  • Devin Simon batted .385 over the four-game weekend.
  • In three appearances, Serayah Neiss held opponents to a .205 batting average and recorded eight strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched.

UP NEXT 
Iowa returns to Bob Pearl Field April 17-19 for a three-game series against Indiana. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. start on Saturday and a noon finale on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $3 for youth and free for students. Fans can follow the action on B1G+ (subscription required).