WACO, Texas — It was a classic pitcher’s duel for three innings before seventh-ranked Baylor pushed a run across the plate in the fourth and three more in the sixth to down the University of Iowa softball team, 4-0, Friday night at the Getterman Classic.
“Baylor is a very good ball club,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “You credit them and you credit their pitcher — Whitney Canion — she’s one of the best in the country.”
The Hawkeyes’ Kayla Massey went toe-to-toe with Bear All-American Whitney Canion through the first three innings. Both pitchers retired the first nine batters they faced.
Iowa senior Liz Watkins tallied the game’s first hit with a two-out single to left field in the top of the fourth, but the Hawkeyes’ rally was quickly halted by Canion’s seventh strikeout of the game.
The Bears broke through with a run in the bottom of the fourth to grab a 1-0 lead. BU’s Kathy Shelton opened the inning by lacing a line drive to second base for an infield single. After stealing second, Shelton crossed the plate on an error by Iowa third baseman Michelle Zoeller.
Massey opened the fifth inning with a leadoff walk before pinch runner Sydney Reynolds moved into scoring position with a Brianna Luna sacrifice bunt. Canion left Reynolds standing on second base with a strikeout and by inducing a lazy grounder to end the threat.
Baylor broke the game open, plating three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Megan Turk delivered the knockout blow, lacing a two-run double to centerfield to put the Bears up 4-0.
Canion stifled the Hawkeyes offensively, allowing one hit and striking out 12 batters in the complete game shutout. The senior sat down the first 11 Iowa batters and allowed three base runners in the game.
Massey suffered the tough-luck loss, allowing a single earned run, while finishing with four strikeouts in the complete game.
“Kayla threw a great game,” said Looper. “She went in with a game plan of keeping the ball down and keeping it off the plate. When you go up, keep it away from the belt. She did a phenomenal job.”
Iowa (1-1) returns to action Saturday morning at 10 a.m. against Arkansas.
“We need to come out and be the aggressor,” said Looper. “We have to be in charge of the ball and take control offensively and defensively. When we’re the aggressor, good things will happen.”
