By Hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball team shutout Rutgers, 3-0, on Saturday evening at Bob Pearl Field in game two of the three game series. The win clinched the series for the Hawkeyes, their fifth Big Ten series win of the season.

Freshman Talia Tretton (10-9) got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes. Throwing her eighth complete game of the season, Tretton allowed no runs on four hits and struck out eight Scarlet Knights. Sophomore Jena Young led the way for Iowa going 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs scored.

The Hawkeyes set the tone early, scoring in the bottom of the first. Young reached on a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and got to third on a fly out. Young came home on a passed ball to get Iowa on the board, 1-0. Tretton picked up two strikeouts in the second inning and worked around a two out single to keep the lead in tact.

Only one Rutgers baserunner reached in the third on single to right field, but was caught stealing second by redshirt junior catcher Desiree Rivera to end the inning. Rivera’s 14th caught base stealer of the season, which is is tied for the lead in the Big Ten.

Iowa extended its lead in the third inning plating two runs. Young started the action with a single to left center and came home on a double from junior Tory Bennett to extend the lead, 2-0. Rivera immediately followed suit with a single to left, scoring Bennett pushing the lead to three. That proved to be enough offense for the Hawkeyes the rest of the way.

Through the final four innings of play, Tretton faced just 14 batters, picking up three strikeouts bringing her total to eight. She retired Rutgers in order in the fifth and the seventh innings.

Iowa finished the game with three runs on three hits and left six runners on. Rutgers had no runs on four hits and left four runners on base.

–