UI Athletics news release
NORMAL, Ill. — The University of Iowa softball team defeated Illinois State 6-3 in their midweek matchup Tuesday at Marian Kneer Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior Tory Bennett got the Hawkeyes off to a quick start with a leadoff home run to left field, giving Iowa the first run of the game. The scoring continued as junior Devin Simon and freshman McKenzie Leitgen reached base, setting the stage for redshirt sophomore Nailyn Marshall to hit a three-run homer, her first of the season, putting Iowa ahead 4-0.
The Hawkeyes added to its lead in the second inning. Sophomore Brianna Johnson singled to start the frame, and with one runner on, Bennett hit her second home run of the game to extend the lead to 6-0.
Illinois State got on the board in the third inning with a sacrifice fly and added another run in the fourth on an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 6-2. The Redbirds scored their final run in the fifth on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.
Senior Serayah Neiss started in the circle for Iowa, pitching three innings with two strikeouts and allowing just one hit. Junior Avery Sapp earned the win, striking out two in 1⅔ innings of relief.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH STACY MAY-JOHNSON
“We had a lot of hits and hit the ball really well. We should’ve had more runs, but a few things didn’t go our way. I’m really pleased with the way we hit the ball. These midweek games build a lot of confidence, and it’s good momentum going into the weekend. Tory Bennett is a great player and knows what to do with a good game plan. She’s a strong, physical athlete, and it’s been really cool to see her take off.”
Notables
- Bennett’s two home runs marked her first career multi-home run game.
- Iowa’s six RBIs were evenly split, with Bennett and Marshall each recording three.
- Sapp is one strikeout away from 200 in her career.
- The Hawkeyes recorded a season-high 13 hits in the game.
Up Next
Iowa will face Illinois in a three-game weekend series at Eichelberger Field, with first pitch scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. (CT), Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT), and Sunday at 12 p.m. (CT) all games will be streamed on B1G+.