University of Nevada Las Vegas
Iowa
3/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 21, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Pauline Glenn's third-inning home run not only broke up a perfect game by Iowa pitcher Lisa Birocci, but it also propelled the Rebels to a 1-0 upset victory over the Hawkeyes at the Capital Classic on Friday.
While Glenn's fourth home run of the year provided all of the Rebels' offense, solid defense and pitching helped to seal the win. Sophomore Jacqueline Kerrigan tossed her fifth shutout of the year, struck out seven batters, and did not allow a single hit to get out of the infield.
In what began as a pitchers' duel, Iowa (16-6) used the small ball for its offensive spark. Amanda Hentges dropped a one-out bunt single in the third to set up the Hawkeyes' first scoring threat. After a stolen base and a subsequent infield hit by Katie Boney, UNLV (14-18) escaped the jam by nabbing Hentges at the plate in a double steal attempt.
The Rebels took their lead shortly thereafter as Glenn led off the third with a long drive to left center that undoubtedly cleared the fence. Birocci recovered, retiring the rest of the side in order.
Kerrigan also tightened her game, sitting down the next six Hawkeyes and striking out the side in the fifth.
Iowa produced a serious scare to the Rebels' 1-0 lead in the sixth. Hentges laid down her second bunt single of the game to put a leadoff runner aboard. Kristen Johnson the laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the Rebels chose to put Hentges out at second, and the throw was not in time.
With the momentum shifting, Boney placed yet another perfect bunt, beating the throw to first and loading the bases with nobody out. But the defense's luck changed as Kerrigan got the next two batters to ground to third, forcing outs at the plate. The threat was quelled when Christina Schmaltz flied to right.
The Hawkeyes managed another runner in the top of the seventh, and moved her into scoring position before Hentges lined out to end the game.
Despite an outstanding pitching performance by Birocci in which she retired 21 of the 22 batters she faced, she was tagged with the loss and fell to 9-5 on the year. Kerrigan lifted her record to 11-7.
The victory ended a five-game losing skid for UNLV and a three-game slide for Kerrigan.
UNLV continues play in the Capital Classic throughout the weekend, facing Long Island next at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
