Badgers Unable to Claw Past Hawkeyes, Fall 1-0
May 02, 2004 | Softball
For the third straight game, the Wisconsin softball team got an outstanding performance from its starting pitcher but without a positive result. Iowa scored an unearned run in the first inning and Lisa Birocci made it stand up as the Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers 1-0 in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday at Goodman Diamond.
After allowing just two hits in a 2-0 loss to Illinois Friday night, UW's Katie Layne surrendered only three hits to Iowa but was still handed the loss to fall to 12-12. She struck out four and walked one.
Eden Brock also allowed one mere run in the Badgers' 1-0 ten-inning loss to the Illini on Saturday.
Similar to Saturday's game against Illinois, sloppy defense haunted the Badgers in the opening inning. However, unlike the previous day's game, the miscues cost Wisconsin a run. With one away, Amanda Hentges reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Athena Vasquez. Hentges would give the Hawkeyes the early 1-0 lead as she advanced to third on passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
Iowa looked to build on its lead in the top of the sixth as a walk and an error gave it runners at second and third with no one out. However, Layne retired the next three batters to keep the Badgers' deficit at one run.
It didn't matter, though, as Birocci was dominant in the pitcher's circle. She gave up just three hits and retired 12 straight batters from the third through seventh innings. Kris Zacher collected a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh, but Birocci recorded a flyout and a strikeout to preserve the win.
Birocci stuck out eight and did not allow a walk in improving to 17-10. Zacher collected two hits for the Badgers.
The second game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:45 p.m.
