In its second fall game of the season, early offense lifted Iowa softball past Kirkwood, 5-3, on Sept. 22 at Pearl Field.

The offense started out hot in the first inning with a two-out solo home run by senior Allie Wood.

The momentum continued in the second inning. With two outs and two on, freshman Aralee Bogar showcased her speed, hitting an inside-the-park homer down the left field line.

A dominant pitching performance by sophomore Allison Doocy kept the Eagles at bay until the fourth. Two walks and an error brought in junior pitcher Erin Riding with two outs to shut down the threat.

Kirkwood had a big inning in the sixth, when a double — its first hit of the game — and a single led to its first run.

Another single and a double led to 2 more runs for the Eagles, cutting the Hawkeye lead to 4-3.

A double to center created a brief opportunity for Kirkwood to tie, but the throw home cut down the runner, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, a walk and a base hit put a runner in scoring position for the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Taylor Libby popped an RBI single, giving the Hawkeyes some breathing room at 5-3.

“I felt like we attacked early, and then we kind of lulled, and I wish we would have continued to attack and put a little more pressure on them,” head coach Marla Looper said. “Overall, I feel like we’re growing, we’re gaining strides, every week we’re a little better. It was nice to see that tonight.”

Iowa will continue its fall slate when the Hawkeyes host Northern Iowa at 6 p.m. Sept. 29.

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