Game 7: Iowa vs. South Dakota State

IOWA 6, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 3
 
FORT COLLINS, CO – Iowa’s offense built an early lead and pitchers Jalen Adams and Denali Loecker took advantage as the Hawkeyes worked their way by South Dakota State in the winner’s bracket Friday at the 2023 NISC.
 
Iowa (33-27) is in Saturday’s semifinals and will play at 9 a.m. or Noon for a spot in the 3 p.m. championship game.
 
Iowa took a 3-0 lead in the first inning with all the runs coming with two outs. Loecker had an RBI single, Grace Banes added a run-scoring double and Sammy Diaz brought in the other run with a single.
 
The Hawkeyes proceeded to load the bases with no outs in the second inning. Tatianna Roman drew a walk, and after a pitching change, Iowa scored again on a fielder’s choice and then another single from Loecker to push the lead to 6-0.
 
Alexa Williams helped make it interesting for South Dakota State with a three-run homer in the top of the sixth to make it 6-3; it was her seventh long ball of the season.
 
Adams pitched 6 1/3 innings and had five strikeouts; Loecker earned the save, ending the game with a strikeout. Williams did great work in relief for SDSU (38-18), allowing three hits in five scoreless innings.
 
The Jackrabbits (38-17) face Tarleton State later Friday, with the winner of that game also reaching the semifinals.