Iowa softball scores 21 runs to defeat Illinois in series opener

UI Athletics news release

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Iowa softball team defeated Illinois, 21-15, in the series opener on Friday night at Eichelberger Field. The game featured nine home runs and 36 combined runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Devin Simon opened the game with a leadoff home run on the first pitch to give Iowa an early lead. The Hawkeyes added two more in the inning as Nailyn Marshall drove in Tory Bennett with a single and Brianna Johnson plated Kiara Sipe on a groundout.

Illinois responded with eight runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by two home runs.

Iowa cut into the deficit in the second when Sipe delivered an RBI single, but Illinois answered with two more runs in the bottom half to make it 10-4.

The Hawkeyes erupted in the third to take the lead. Johnson launched a three-run home run before Sipe ripped a two-run double. Marshall followed with an RBI double to tie the game, and Leah McAnally capped the inning with a two-run homer.

Johnson added her second home run of the game in the fourth to extend the lead to 14-10.

Illinois answered with a two-run homer and added another run on a wild pitch to pull within one, but Marshall pushed the lead back to two with Iowa’s fifth home run of the game in the fifth.

Iowa broke the game open in the sixth with five runs behind RBI doubles from Simon and Sipe, an RBI single from McAnally and a sacrifice fly from Johnson. Illinois added two in the bottom half.

Simon plated the final run with an RBI double in the seventh.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH STACY MAY-JOHNSON

“It was a slugfest tonight, but there was no panic from our team after we got hit early. Brianna Johnson has been swinging the bat really well, so it was great to see her have success. Avery Sapp was the right pitcher for a game like this — she stays composed and keeps competing.”

NOTABLES

• The 21 runs mark the second-most scored in program history (26 vs. Iowa State in 2012).

• The most by Iowa in a Big Ten game, surpassing the previous mark of 19 against Penn State in 1997.

• The 36 combined runs are the most ever scored in an Iowa softball game.

• The Hawkeyes scored at least one run in every inning.

• Iowa surpassed last season’s home run total (29) and now has 33 on the season.

• Avery Sapp recorded her 200th career strikeout in the contest.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes will close out the series against Illinois on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. (CT). Fans can watch on B1G+ (subscription required).