By Hawkeyesports.com

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The University of Iowa softball team kicked off its stint at the Blues City Classic with a bang, defeating Indiana State, 6-1, on Friday afternoon.

Breanna Vasquez got the start in the circle, picking up the win after throwing six innings and striking out six. Freshman Devyn Greer threw one inning of relief to close out the game.

Junior Sophia Maras was 3-for-4 on the day and sophomore Marissa Peek was 2-for-3 with two doubles.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Indiana State scored first in the top of the second after a single and a double. The Hawkeyes tied the game in the bottom half. Junior Kalena Burns doubled and freshman Haley Downe came in to run for her, moving to third after sophomore Sammy Diaz grounded out and later scoring on a Sycamore error.

The Hawkeyes added a run in the third inning after sophomore Brylee Klosterman walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Maras singled and Klosterman moved to third. Klosterman scored on a Carter RBI groundout out.

Iowa scored a run in the fifth after Peek doubled and Rylie Moss came in to run. Moss then scored on an error after Klosterman grounded out.

Sophomore Denali Loecker hit a leadoff home run to center field to get things started for the Hawkeyes in the sixth. Burns later walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Amber DeSena singled moving her to third, and Peek followed with her second double of the day to score Burns and move the runner to third. Klosterman hit a sacrifice fly to notch the RBI.

NOTABLES 

• Iowa moves to 10-4 on the season
• The win was the fourth of the season for Vasquez (4-3)
• The home run was Loecker’s second of the season

UP NEXT 

Iowa returns to action tonight at 6:30 p.m. (CT) against Memphis. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).