Softball hosts in-state foe Drake
The Iowa softball team looks to complete a sweep of its three in-state foes today when Drake comes to Pearl Field for a 5 p.m. start. Today’s game will also be No. 25 Iowa’s last nonconference game until the postseason.
Following a 7-1 win against Iowa State at home on April 7 and a 5-3 come-from-behind win at Northern Iowa on April 21, the Hawkeyes (38-11, 9-5 in Big Ten) can clinch the unofficial state title tonight with a victory over the Bulldogs (28-20, 12-8 in MVC).
“Our pitching is really strong right now, and our defense is always something we work hard on,” sophomore Chelsey Carmody said. “I’m motivated to compete with these teams that we have left. Anything can happen now and in the Big Ten, and I really want to go somewhere this year.”
Drake sits in third place in the Missouri Valley, behind Creighton and Southern Illinois. The Bulldogs are led in the pitching circle by sophomore Jenna DeLong, who is tied for second in the Missouri Valley in wins (17) and strikeouts (209). She has held opposing batters to a batting average of .214 while posting an ERA of 1.88.
Erin Bly has come on as of late for the Bulldogs at first base. She hit two home runs on April 25 and 26 in a series at Wichita State, and she boasts a .315 batting average. The sophomore leads Drake in total hits (47), including six home runs and five doubles.
Shortstop Elena Leon leads the Bulldogs at the plate. The junior leads the team in RBIs (28), batting average (.319), home runs (11), and stolen bases (11). Leon also sits atop the Missouri Valley for total runs scored (42).
Iowa head coach Gayle Blevins was quick to point out similarities between Leon and Iowa outfielder Colleen McGlaughlin, who leads the Big Ten in RBIs with 48 this season. Blevins said they would consider pitching around Leon if the situation arises.
“I’m sure that’s what Indiana would have loved to have done this weekend with Colleen is not to have to throw to her very much,” Blevins said. “So if we have a chance where we can pass to someone [other than Leon] … we’ll certainly consider doing those things.”
Aside from her conference lead in RBIs, the senior leads Iowa in batting average (.387), hits (60), and home runs (9). McGlaughlin comes into today’s game after collecting a career-high five RBIs against Indiana on April 26. She had two home runs on the day, leading the Hawkeyes to a 12-1 win in just five innings.
Iowa will be led once again by pitchers Brittany Weil and Amanda Zust in the circle. Weil, a senior from Garden Grove, Calif., was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on Monday for the third time this season and the eighth time in her career. Only Marissa Young from Michigan and Northwestern’s Eileen Canney have garnered the award more times in a career than Weil, at nine each.
Weil allowed zero runs in 11 innings of work for the week, striking out 19 and walking just one batter. Weil’s season ERA (.103) is good for third in the Big Ten, while Zust’s (1.74) is seventh-best in the conference. Weil leads the Big Ten in opponent’s batting average (.130) and her 282 strikeouts are second only to Minnesota’s Briana Hassett.
After today, the Hawkeyes won’t return to Iowa City until games against Wisconsin on May 6 and Minnesota on May 8 and 9.
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