MADISON, Wisconsin – A four-run seventh inning gave the University of Iowa softball team its first Big Ten Tournament opening round win since 2015 as the 12th-seeded Hawkeyes defeated No. 5 Ohio State, 5-1, Thursday evening at Goodman Diamond in Madison, Wisconsin.
Ohio State scored its only run in the bottom of the first when Lili Piper sent a solo shot over the left center field. It was a pitcher’s duel from there.
Iowa scored its first run in the third inning when senior Cheyenne Pratt scored on a passed ball.
Sophomore Allison Doocy shines, tying a career high with 15 strikeouts. Doocy and Ohio State’s Shelby McCombs combined for 23 strikeouts and four shutout innings in the contest.
Iowa exploded in the top of the seventh when sophomore Lea Thompson scored on a wild pitch and gave the Hawkeyes a 2-1 lead. The bases were loaded when Ohio State threw another wild pitch and Pratt scored to make it 3-1. Sophomores Taylor Libby and McKenzie Schneider followed, hitting a pair of RBI singles to score seniors Allie Wood and Angela Schmeiderer.
Doocy (14-14) went the distance for Iowa. The Ankeny, Iowa, native allowed one run and sent 15 batters packing in seven innings of work.
NOTABLES
- Doocy tied a career high 15 strikeouts in the contest.
- The 15 strikeouts moved Doocy into 13th in Iowa’s records books for strikeouts in a single season. She moved ahead of Shayla Starkenburg who was 15th with 194 strikeouts in 2015 and Terri McFarland who previously held the 13th and 14th spots.
- Libby led the Hawkeyes at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI.
- Six Hawkeyes collected hits in the contest. They were: Allie Wood (1), Talyor Libby (2), Aralee Bogar (1), Angela Schmiederer (1), Lea Thompson (1), and Daniella Ibarra (1).
QUOTING HEAD COACH MARLA LOOPER
“We came out and did exactly what we talked about before the game which was give it all you got and make adjustments as we go. Doocy was tough as nails in the circle. Early on McCombs was throwing well for Ohio State, but we were able to make adjustments at the plate. Piper had a solo home run, but we continued to plug away and put runs across.”
“We don’t put anyone in a situation they aren’t prepared for. The entire team came in with the confidence they should. Ultimately, it’s a team game. Doocy got 15 strikeouts, but it’s a team win.”RECORDS UPDATEIowa: 21-31, 7-15Ohio State: 34-14, 14-9UP NEXTThe Hawkeyes return to action Friday at 7 p.m. (CT) to take on No. 4 Northwestern in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Big Ten tournament.