The Iowa softball team won its fifth-straight game on Wednesday, beating Western Illinois, 10-2, at McKee Stadium in Macomb, Ill., to improve its record to 19-12.

The Hawkeyes got off to a blazing start, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning after Liz Watkins, the reigning Big Ten Co-Player of the Week, hit her seventh home run of the season. Iowa next scored in the fifth inning on Jordan Goschie’s RBI double.

Stephanie Ochoa reached third base in the sixth inning on an error, which allowed Johnnie Dowling and Chelsey Carmody to score. The Hawkeyes’ final run came on a wild throw that allowed Ashley Akers to reach home plate.

Katie Keim had three hits, and Ochoa went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Akers also had three hits and scored two runs.

Sophomore Chelsea Lyon earned the victory, pitching four innings and allowing five hits and two runs. Kayla Massey pitched the game’s final three innings, allowing no hits and striking out three batters.

Iowa will return to Big Ten play on Saturday at Purdue.

— by Sam Louwagie