MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — The University of Iowa softball team (13-3) split its first day at The Spring Games, falling to Miami (OH) in the early game, 2-1, and defeating Florida Gulf Coast, 7-1, in the nightcap on Friday.
Junior Aralee Bogar led Iowa at the plate over the two games, hitting 5-for-8 with three RBIs. Her three RBIs tied her season high.
Senior Allison Doocy and junior Lauren Shaw both tossed complete games. Doocy tallied 10 strikeouts for her fifth double-digit strikeout performance of the season in the win over FGCU. Shaw struck out five Redhawk batters and did not surrender a walk against Miami (OH).
HEAR FROM ARALEE BOGAR
“Today was about taking things pitch-by-pitch and seeing what each pitcher was giving us and taking it for what it was. We came together well as a team. I was put in good situations and followed through. It was exciting to see the hard work pay off.”
HEAR FROM ABBY LIEN
“Our scouting report said that they would come inside and jam you so during my first at-bat, I went up with a look out mentality and I made adjustments in my second and third at-bats.
“We had a long day of traveling and Miami-Ohio hit us a little hard and we were a little exhausted, but we came together as a team and pushed for more energy and we came out with a win.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Hawkeyes and RedHawks battled evenly through three innings. Miami (OH) plated its first run in the fourth inning after a double to right center.
The Hawkeyes threated with runners on base in the fifth but couldnt do any damage. Iowa waited until the sixth inning to score its first run after a perfectly placed bunt from junior Aralee Bogar and a string of walks. Iowa ended up leaving the bases loaded.
Heading into the seventh, Iowa needed one run to tie and two to win. With two outs, Bogar singled to right field and junior Mia Ruther drew a walk, but that was all Iowa was able to muster.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
» Iowa pitchers faced 29 Miami (OH) hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out five.
» The Hawkeyes drew five walks from Miami (OH) pitching.
» Burns led the Hawkeyes at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.
Game 2
The Hawkeyes put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Junior Ashley Hamilton came across to score the lone run of the inning for Iowa on a single from Bogar.
The Eagles failed to push any runs across before the Hawkeyes built on their lead in the fifth inning. The Iowa offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Burns, which brought the Hawkeyes lead to 5-0.
Iowa held FGCU without a run before expanding their lead to 7-0 the following inning. The Hawkeyes pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Bogar that brought home freshmen Nia Carter and Nicole Yoder.
FGCU added one run in the seventh, but Iowa coasted to victory.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
» Bogar picked up three base knocks in the game for Iowa.
» Doocy struck out 10 Eagles hitters.
» Iowas highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Hawkeyes out-hit the Eagles at a 10-4 clip.
» Iowa went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Iowa pitchers faced 25 FGCU hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and four fly balls while striking out 10.
» Bogar led the Hawkeyes at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes wrap up competition for the weekend tomorrow against South Alabama at 10 a.m. (CT) and FAU at 12:30 p.m.
