The Iowa softball team collected 27 hits and received strong pitching performances on the way to a double-header sweep of Kirkwood Community College this past weekend.

The Black and Gold won the first game, 10-2, and kept the offense rolling in the nightcap with a 9-1 victory on Sept. 30.

Four Hawkeyes recorded multi-hit afternoons in the first game, led by outfielder Johnnie Dowling’s three. Ashley Akers, Malloree Grove, and Katie Keim had two hits apiece, and Keim added a home run.

Sophomore pitcher Kayla Massey struck out seven Eagle batters and gave up four hits in a complete game — although she did walk five.

Junior Chelsea Lyon had better control in the second game, striking out eight in a one-hit complete game.

Catcher Liz Watkins smacked Iowa’s second homer of the afternoon in the contest and was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Dowling, Keim, and Grove also turned in multi-hit performances in the second game.

Iowa has one game left on its fall exhibition schedule. The Hawkeyes will take on Muscatine Community College on Friday at Pearl Field.

— by Seth Roberts