Iowa Prevails Over Creighton in Extra Innings

Lincoln-Stacy May went 4 for 4 and hit the game-winning home run in the top of the eighth inning for No. 22 Iowa as the Hawkeyes beat Creighton, 2-1, to advance to Saturday's tournament-elimination game agasinst Nebraska in the NCAA Regional at Bowlin Stadium. 

May scored both of Iowa's runs, recorded all of their hits and produced her first ever 4 for 4 performance in the win.  She is 6-of-7 in the tournament, hitting .857.  Iowa pitcher Lisa Birocci (29-8) gave up only two hits and tied her career high with 17 strikeouts to take the win for the Hawkeyes. 

In the Bluejays' second extra-inning game of the tournament, pitcher Tammy Nielsen (28-8) took the loss, allowing four hits and two earned runs in the final game of Creighton's (44-13) season.

Iowa (49-13) got out to a quick lead in the top of first when May scored on a fielder's choice bunt off the bat of Emily Nichols. The Bluejays countered in the second when MVC Player of the Year Abby Johnson belted a solo home run over the leftcenter field fence. 

The Bluejays were held without a hit after Abby Flores  singled to third in the third inning.

Iowa game notes:
**--  Iowa is 4-1 in extra-inning games.

**-- May recorded her 20th multiple-hit game of the season.

**-- May is 8 for 18 in her first at bat since becoming the lead-off hitter on April 10.

Creighton Notes: **-- Lauren Flores’ one-out hit in the bottom of the third snapped an 0-for-26 career slump (with 17 strikeouts) for the junior in NCAA Tournament play.   **-- Tammy Nielsen made her 100th career start inside the circle, moving into second in CU history behind Kelly Brookhart’s 102.   **-- All three games Creighton has played at Bowlin Stadium this year have gone into extra innings.   **-- Creighton struck out 35 times in two games in Lincoln.   **-- This is the second straight season that Creighton finished with 44 wins.