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Hawkeyes Drop Saturday Double Header

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Iowa softball team dropped a doubleheader against Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The Hawkeyes lost a hard-fought game one, 8-6, before falling in eight innings, 9-8, in game two.

The Hawkeyes held leads late in both games, but the Wolverines completed the comeback both times to secure the series victory.

Freshman Soo-Jin Berry went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and picked up her first career home run in the doubleheader. Six different Hawkeyes had multi hit days as the Iowa offense dished out 12 runs in two games.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

Iowa started strong with five straight hits in the top of the first. Berry knocked in the first run of the game on a ground rule double. Senior Sammy Diaz followed suit with a single that brought in two more. Junior Devyn Greer extended Iowa’s lead to four with a single to left center.

Sophomore Jalen Adams (9-8) got the start in game one. In the opening frame she kept the Wolverines in check allowing just one hit. Both teams were held in check by the pitchers in the second and third. Iowa pushed another run across in the fourth as Junior Rylie Moss singled through the left side to score Brylee Klosterman.

Michigan got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run to make it, 5-1. The Wolverines did damage in the fifth scoring seven runs on five hits and two Hawkeye errors to take the lead, 8-5.

Iowa rallied in the seventh as Berry knocked in another run to cut the Michigan lead to two. The Hawkeyes’ rally was cut short at the Wolverines turned a double play to end the game.

The Hawkeyes finished the game with six runs on 12 hits and had four errors.

Game 2

The Hawkeyes started game two strong as Berry sent a two-run home run over the centerfield wall. Michigan answered back with an RBI double in the home half of the inning to cut the lead in half.

 

The Hawkeyes loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second. Freshman Jena Young singled to left scoring two to extend the Iowa lead, 4-1. Klosterman singled to right in the top of the third to push a run across for the third straight inning to make it, 5-1.

 

After giving up the run in the first Greer kept the Wolverine bats at bay, working around base runners but keeping them off the board.

 

The Hawkeyes added insurance runs in the top of the fifth on balls put in play by seniors Grace Banes, Klosterman and Adams to extend the Iowa lead, 8-1.

 

The Wolverines went on to score in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at eight and send it into extra innings. Michigan walked it off in the bottom of the eighth with a solo shot to centerfield.

 

Iowa used five different pitchers in the game. Greer and redshirt junior Maren Judisch were the only pitchers to throw at least one complete inning.

 

Iowa finished the game with eight runs on nine hits and had three errors. Michigan scored nine runs on nine hits and had one error.

 

NOTABLES

  • Young extended her on base streak to 18 games.
  • The Hawkeyes fall to 0-3 on the season in extra-inning games.
  • All of Iowa’s home runs (4) this season have been hit by freshmen.

Hawkeyes Close Out Day 1 of Buckeye Invitational

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Iowa women’s golf team fired a 612 (317-295) to conclude the first two rounds of play at the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational.on Saturday at the Scarlet Course at the Ohio State University Golf Club.

The Hawkeyes are in 12th place.

Sophomore Riley Lewis paced the team, shooting an eight-over par 152 (79-73). The Illinois native shaved six strokes off her play from rounds one to two, carding three birdies to finish in a tie for 32nd place.

Junior Paula Miranda and sophomore Kaitlyn Hanna are both tied for 41st with a 10-over par 154.

Ohio State leads the field, firing a two-under par 574. The Buckeyes’ Caley McGinty is atop the individual leaderboard with a five-under par 139.

IOWA LEADERBOARD

T32. Riley Lewis 79-73=152

T41. Paula Miranda 81-73=154

T41. Kaitlyn Hanna 79-75=154

T50. Madison Dabagia 78-77=155

T56. Ximena Benites 82-74=156

T61. Shannyn Vogler 82-76=158

12. Iowa 317-295= 612

UP NEXT

The final round of the Buckeye Invitational will begin Sunday with a 7:30 a.m. (CT) shotgun start.

Hawkeyes Even Series with Buckeyes

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Ohio State, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium.

A quality start from Marcus Morgan lifted the Hawkeyes to victory in a low scoring pitcher’s duel. The Iowa City, Iowa, native threw six innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six.

“Our guys battled hard today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Proud of the bounce back. Marcus Morgan gave us a great start. It was exactly what we needed.”

Iowa put two runs on the board in the third. After loading the bases Raider Tello reached on catcher’s interference, and Davis Cop hit a sacrifice fly. Ohio State responded with a solo home run in the bottom half.

Iowa added a run the seventh on an RBI fielder’s choice by Andy Nelson, and Ohio State again responded with a solo home run in the bottom half.

Iowa turned to Ben DeTaeye with one out and a runner on second in the eighth, a pair of flyouts ended the threat.

A walk, an error and a sacrifice bunt put the winning run on second base with just one out in the bottom of the ninth. DeTaeye worked through it getting a lineout and a popout to earn the save.

DeTaeye finished the game throwing 1 2/3 innings and did not allow a hit en route to his second save of the season. Anthony Watts threw 1 1/3 innings of relief for Iowa allowing just one run on two hits with two strikeouts.

“The ninth didn’t go the way you draw it up, but we got it done,” said Heller. “We had some luck go our way today when Linsey lined out to second. We will take it, for sure. Our guys battled hard.”

Gable Mitchell had a big game for the Hawkeyes going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Tello and Cop were joined by Andy Nelson as Hawkeyes with an RBI in the contest.

“It was just enough by our offense,” said Heller. “Gabe Mitchell had a great day and we executed better than we have been lately.”

The Hawkeyes were 3-of-3 with runners on third with less than two outs and hit .400 (8-20) in advancement opportunities.

Iowa and Ohio state will close out the three-game series with the rubber match tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m. (CT).

Marin’s Walk-Off Secures Top-Five Series Win

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (16-21, 5-9 Big 12) secured its highest-ranked series win in program history on Saturday afternoon, walking off the fifth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls (34-8, 12-5 Big 12) at the Cyclone Sports Complex and handing OSU its first series loss of the year, 5-2.

Camille Marin’s first home run of the season couldn’t have come at a better time, as the senior torched a three-run shot over the left field fence to walk off the Cowgirls in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Cyclones earned their first ranked series win since taking two-of-three against Baylor last season – a series in which Marin also had a three-run, go-ahead home run in a victory.

Milaysia Ochoa was the story of the game prior to the seventh, as the senior belted a leadoff homer over the center field wall to start the game as part of her two-hit day. Ochoa also had an outstanding grab in center during the game. Angelina Allen, Carli Spelhaug and Marin each had a hit today, as they were the only four Cyclones to notch hits. Allen earned a hit for the 11th consecutive game, setting a new personal best.

Karlie Charles and Jaiden Ralston (3-5) had solid days in the circle for the Cyclones, as ISU has now allowed just seven hits and two runs through two games against a top-five team. Charles got the start, going for three innings and not allowing a hit before Ralston entered in the fourth. Ralston gave up two hits and two runs in the fifth, but locked it down the rest of the way, earning her third win of the season.

OSU’s Jilyen Poullard had a great game, making a handful of impressive stops at third base and notching a two-RBI double in the fifth to put the Cowgirls on the board. Oklahoma State pitcher Ivy Rosenberry (10-3) pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits while surrendering three free passes (one walk and two HBP).

How it Happened

Like Friday, it was a low-scoring pitcher’s duel to start the contest. OSU started the game going three up, three down before the Cyclones came to the plate.

 

In the bottom of the first, Ochoa led the game off with a three-pitch homer that she belted over the center field wall to put Iowa State on top. Rosenberry was able to strike out a pair of Cyclones to get out of the inning.

The teams would combine for just two hits over the next three innings, as neither side was able to get much going at the plate, thanks to the pitching dominance.

That changed in the fifth, when Oklahoma State finally broke through and was able to take a 2-1 lead. A pair of walks were driven in by Poullard who doubled into right center to give the Cowgirls their first advantage of the series.

Though they were held scoreless in the fifth, Iowa State responded in the sixth, tying the game up. Ochoa led the frame off with a double and Allen singled to put runners on the corners. Alesia Ranches then grounded into a double-play but Ochoa was able to score to tie the game at two apiece.

Ralston worked around a walk in the top of the seventh, getting the Cowgirls to ground out, pop out and fly out to give the Cyclone bats one last chance before extras.

Spelhaug started the bottom of the seventh getting hit by a pitch on the first ball of the inning to give the Cyclones the winning run on base. After fouling off the first pitch she saw, Ashley Minor was also hit by a pitch to put a pair on for the Cyclones, moving Spelhaug into scoring position. Runner position didn’t matter though, as Marin stepped into the box and crushed a 1-1 pitch into left, walking off the Cowgirls and giving ISU the series win

On Deck

Iowa State will look for a series sweep tomorrow afternoon, as it returns to the Cyclone Sports Complex for game number three against the fifth-ranked Cowgirls. ISU and OSU are set to play on Sunday at noon and the game will be broadcast live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

 

As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Sports Complex is free.

 

 

Former Hawkeye Bball forward announces transfer to Butler University

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, IOWA – Former Iowa forward Patrick McCaffery will use his sixth and final year of eligibility elsewhere, announcing on social media he will be transferring to Butler University.

The son of Iowa men’s basketball head coach Fran McCaffery played in 123 games through five seasons with the Hawkeyes, averaging 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds. Butler finished 16-18 last season, going 9-11 in the Big East to finish 8th in the conference.

Patrick’s brother, Connor McCaffery, is on staff with the Indiana Pacers.

Fatal crash in Omaha Saturday morning; woman from Shenandoah critically hurt

News

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Omaha, NE) –  Two people died early Saturday morning when a 2021 Kia Sportage that was traveling the wrong way on westbound Interstate 80 in Omaha, collided nearly head-on, with a westbound 2017 Ford Fusion, near 24th Street. The crash happened at around 1:40-a.m.  OPD said two of the occupants of the Ford Fusion were later pronounced dead.

The driver of the Kia was identified as 25-year-old Maison M. King, of Oakland, NE, who was being treated for a fractured back. Once released, OPD said King will be booked for 2 counts of motor vehicle homicide-DUI and other possible charges.

The driver of the Ford was identified as 30-year-old Kyle Arnold, of Omaha, who was a driver for Uber. He was taken to the hospital where pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the facility. The backseat passengers of the Ford were identified as 26-year-old Ross L. Lewis, of Wilbur, NE, and 24-year-old Jessica J. Mutchler, of Shenandoah. She suffered what were described as life-threatening injuries. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither of the passengers were wearing their seatbelts.

A front seat passenger in the Ford, 29-year-old Cole Lambrecht of Kearney, NE, was treated for minor injuries. The Nebraska Department of Transportation assisted police at the scene. The interstate was reopened about four-hours after the crash.

Kennedy holds event to qualify for November ballot

News

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa [via the Iowa Capital Dispatch] – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called for voters to reject the two-party system and support him for president at an Iowa event Saturday aimed at getting on the state’s general election ballot. Speaking to a crowd of more than 700 at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, Kennedy said he was asked earlier in the day about a recently published New York Times/Siena College poll that found he had only 2% of support in the general election. “Do you think if I only had 2% support that this big a crowd would come in here today?” Kennedy said.

He said other polls, like the November 2023 Quinnipiac University poll, show he has growing popularity, and that popularity is reflected when he is listed as an option for the next president. That fight — to be listed and recognized as a candidate alongside President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — is what brought Kennedy to Iowa. He is currently fighting for a spot on the general election ballot in multiple states – his campaign and supporting super PAC have also said they have collected enough signatures to be listed as a candidate in the November election in states including Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, hosted an event at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines April 13, 2024, to gain ballot access for the 2024 presidential election. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Typically, presidential candidates must get 3,500 signatures from at least 19 counties on a petition to qualify for the ballot. But the law also allows third-party presidential candidates to qualify by hosting a convention with at least 500 eligible Iowa voters from 25 counties attending who sign a form attesting they were at the event. With 686 voters from 35 Iowa counties in attendance, campaign staff said the event is expected to meet that requirement.

Both Democrats and Republicans have denounced Kennedy as a potential “spoiler,” hurting their chances in what’s expected to be a close race between Biden and Trump. Members of both major parties have also criticized Kennedy for promoting misinformation on issues like COVID-19. In a news release Friday, Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann called the candidate a “distraction” from the race between Biden and Trump.

Supporters of both Trump and Biden have expressed concerns about the potential impact Kennedy could have on the race, potentially drawing away crucial votes in what’s predicted to be a close race. According to reporting by USA Today, the Democratic National Committee has hired attorneys to monitor Kennedy’s endeavors to gain ballot access across the country, concerned about voters who would prefer an alternative to Biden. He said he was disappointed to see Democrats use “underhanded tricks” to try to keep him from being on states’ ballots.

Kennedy criticized both parties as fear-mongering, claiming they are working to dissuade voters from supporting his campaign. The candidate said Biden and Trump have “narrow” differences, largely on culture war issues like abortion, border security and transgender rights. He said that while these issues are important, the two presumptive nominees are ignoring important issues like the federal deficit, corporate influence on politics and declining health of Americans – a phenomenon he linked to “processed foods” and farming practices involving potentially dangerous chemicals.

1 dead, 3 injured in a SE Iowa UTV crash, Saturday night

News

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Muscatine, Iowa) – A single-vehicle UTV rollover accident in southeast Iowa, Saturday night, resulted in one fatality and three persons injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at around 8:10-p.m. on Burlington Road, in Muscatine. Authorities say a 2022 Can Am side-by-side UTV was traveling northbound on Burlington Road, when it struck a deer.

The vehicle left the road and rolled multiple times before coming to rest in the east ditch. One of the occupants, 56-year-old, died at the scene. Three other occupants of the UTV, ages 30-, 31, and 33, were injured and transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). No names had been released as of this report.

The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine Ambulance, the Fruitland and Letts Fire Departments, Medforce and Aircare.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Sunday, April 14, 2024

Weather

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 83. West southwest winds 5 to 15 mph becoming NE & gusting to near 20 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 50. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: Sunny to partly sunny w/a 20% chance of afternoon/evening showers & thunderstorms. High near 83. SE winds 15-30 mph.
Tom. Night: Showers & possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. SE @ 20-30 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers & thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall of 1-to 2 inches. High near 73. Windy.
Tue. Night: Showers & thunderstorms. Low around 49. Windy.
Wednesday: Partly sunny & windy, with a high near 65.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 84. Our Low this morning, was 44. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 81, and the Low was 44. The All-Time Record High on April 14th in Atlantic, was 89, in 2003. The Record Low was 11, in 1907. Sunrise: 6:42. Sunset: 7:59.

(Update) 4 arrested in the disappearance of two women in Oklahoma

News

April 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

[UPDATED 4:12-A.M. 4/14/24]  – The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has four people in custody in connection to the disappearance last month of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley. Kelley is the wife of a former youth minister for the Griswold (IA) Church of Christ.  Reports say pools of blood were found outside the abandoned car the women had occupied.

(Left to right): Veronica Butler; and Jilian Kelley,

As previously reports, on March 30, 2024, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspicious disappearance of the two women, whose vehicle was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, in rural Texas County. OSBI special agents immediately began investigating the vehicle and determined there was evidence to indicate foul play.
On Saturday, April 13, 43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum, 54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly, and 44-year-old Cora Twombly were arrested in Texas and Cimarron Counties. All four individuals were booked into the Texas County Jail on two counts of First-Degree Murder, two counts of Kidnapping, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree.

Suspects arrested in the disappearance of Butler & Kelley. (OSBI photo)

Reports said Adams was the grandmother to Veronica Butler’s children, who Butler and Kelley were enroute to pick up, when they were last heard from two weeks ago. Adams and her boyfriend Tad Cullum were among those arrested and booked into jail.  Adams was said to have had custody of Butler’s kids before she went missing.
The OSBI and local law enforcement are still currently working to locate the two victims. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.