Stephen F. Austin
Iowa
Iowa Knocks Off Ladyjacks
2/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 8, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas - Monika Covington threw a one-hit gem through five-and-a-third innings, but Iowa came through with two hits and two runs in the bottom of the sixth and went on to take a 3-1 win Sunday in SFA's final game at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational.
Despite out-hitting the Hawkeyes, 5-3, for the game, SFA fell to 0-5 with the loss.
Iowa drew first blood in the third inning. Lindsey Major was hit by a pitch to give the Hawkeyes a runner. She stole second, then scored on a single by Chelsey Carmody.
SFA answered in the top of the fourth when senior Kim Daley led off with a home run to right field, the Ladyjacks' first long ball of the season. A ground-out then a walk by Benet Higgs chased Iowa starter Amanda Zust from the circle, and Jessica Arana drew a two-out walk to move Higgs to second, but the Hawkeyes got out of the inning on a strikeout.
The Hawkeys re-took the lead with two runs in the sixth inning. Iowa put runners on second and third with one out on a pair of singles and a stolen base. The first run scored on a fielder's choice, as SFA couldn't cut down Rachel West at the plate, and the second came across on a wild pitch.
The Ladyjacks went down in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.
Covington (0-3) was touched for three earned runs on three hits and didn't allow a walk in six innings. She recorded four strikeouts, giving her 10 for the tournament.
The Ladyjacks were not without chances at the plate. SFA wrapped a pair of two-out singles by Amber Price and Kayla Gutowski around a Briana Bishop walk to load the bases in the first, but Iowa escaped damage with a strikeout.
The Ladyjacks loaded the bases on three walks with two out again in the second, but came up empty.
In the fifth, Bishop led off with a single to left, then pinch-runner Candise Juarez took second on a sacrifice bunt by Gutowski. Ashley Struchtemeyer then singled to move Juarez to third with one out. Michelle Huffman ran for Struchtemeyer and took second on a ground ball from Daley, but both runners were stranded in scoring position on an inning-ending foul-out.
SFA will return to action Wednesday with a home doubleheader against Louisiana-Monroe. The first game with the Warhawks is set to start at 4 p.m. from Hoya Field.
-- SFA --
