On July 11, 2017, head coach Marla Looper announced the addition of senior transfer Kenzie Ihle to the Hawkeye roster.
Ihle has had a busy college career, in now three different uniforms. The Des Moines native and Ballard High prep started her freshman campaign at DMACC, where she stayed through her sophomore season. At DMACC, Ihle led her team to two Ju-co World Series and a combined 103-18 record in her two seasons. She was also a first-team All American.
After two illustrious seasons, Ihle took her talents to Indiana State. Her junior campaign featured a 17-14 record through 30 starts and 37 appearances. She posted a 3.52 ERA to lead the Sycamores in the circle.
Now, one move later, Ihle has made a home for herself on Pearl Field.
Her first start in the Black and Gold on Pearl Field was not be her prettiest. On March 21, Ihle, pitching against South Dakota State, allowed 4 hits in 6.2 innings and walked 6 to only 5 strikeouts. Ihle suffered her first loss at Pearl Field, 5-2, to the unranked Jackrabbits.
Ihle bounced back Tuesday against Wisconsin-Green Bay. The senior transfer scattered 8 hits and only 1 walk and gave up 1 earned run. She tagged on 8 more strikeouts to the 24 batter batters faced.
“My goal was to just get ahead of batters and rely on my defense to make plays, and they did a good job,” Ihle said.
Behind Ihle, the team earned its first run-rule win of the season, 9-1
“Ihle gave us a great game first game,” Looper said. “They had a couple innings where they got a hold of a couple, but she made the adjustment she needed to, and settled down, and let us play defense behind her.”
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Ihle’s performance against Green Bay was the best of her season thus far. The senior has a 3.11 ERA and a 2-2 record through nine appearances and 27 innings pitched, but she credits her fellow Hawkeyes for her success.
“My teammates are great,” she said. “They’ve really been supportive this year. I still throw the same pitches, but I’ve gotten a little sharper with those this year.”
Teammate Allison Doocy will continue to haul the main load for the Hawkeyes, but Ihle, as well as Lauren Shaw and Erin Riding, provides a strong back-up option for Looper.
“She’s done a nice job,” Looper said. “She just looks completely different than Doocy, Shaw, and Riding, and as the season’s gone on, she’s gotten sharper.”’
On top of her pitching, Ihle provides senior leadership even as one of the team’s newcomers.
“It’s really nice to have another pitcher,” sophomore Taylor Libby said. “She brings a lot of curve and movement, which contrasts Doocy, who throws up and down. Having her experience of being a senior is really nice.”
Looper uses the senior guidance to propel the young softball team.