The Hawkeyes needed a win in the worst way, and they took care of business at home.
After getting swept by rival Nebraska over the weekend, Iowa softball needed a win in the worst way to boost its spirits.
Playing a home midweek game against a good Northern Illinois team was a tricky contest on paper, but the desperate Hawkeyes passed the test with flying colors, defeating the Huskies 10-2 at Bob Pearl Field Wednesday.
“It was good to get back out here and gain some confidence with a run-rule win going into the weekend,” head coach Stacy May-Johnson told HawkeyeSports. “Silva had a great day at third and at the plate. She’s come along nicely this year, and we’re excited about her future here. Our goal now is to stay a game ahead of Minnesota. The big thing is to grab a Friday night win and put ourselves in a great position going forward.”
What Happened?
Iowa scored the highly-important first run of the contest in the second inning. McKenzie Leitgen got things going with a single, and her pinch runner, Breanna Caffery, came around and scored on a Phoenyx Silva RBI single two batters later to make it 1-0 Hawkeyes early.
Iowa didn't have much trouble against NIU's pitching staff the entire night, but the frame it found the most success in was the third. A hit-by-pitch to open the inning was a terrific omen for the Hawkeyes, who scored their second run on a bases loaded walk to Nailyn Marshall. Leitgen also walked home to make it a 3-0 game, but the real dagger in the Huskies' heart was Silva's three-run single to make it 7-0 Iowa in the third.
Northern Illinois scored a pair of runs in the sixth, but it wasn't enough to prevent a run rule, and Iowa, which led 10-0 entering the frame, held on for the victory.
Hawkeye starter Avery Sapp threw three scoreless innings and recorded four strikeouts, but her replacement, Carly Brewer, was the winning pitcher. Brewer tossed two scoreless frames while retiring six of the seven batters she faced.
Game Notes
Silva went 2 for 3 with four RBIs.
Four Hawkeyes had multi-hit games: Devin Simon (2), Mariah Myers (3), Johnson (2) and Silva (2)
Iowa recorded six stolen bases. Hawkeye pitching combined for five strikeouts.
Up Next
Iowa, now 26-25 on the season, is back at Pearl Field for its home finale against Purdue this weekend. The three-game set, held from May 1-3, will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io