HAWK TALK

March 2013

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The Goal Remains the Same By Patrick Sojka L ast season, head coach Marla Looper led the University of Iowa softball team to a runner-up finish in the Big Ten ��� the program���s highest finish since winning the league title in 2003. This year, the goal is simple: win the Big Ten title. If Iowa accomplishes its goal, an NCAA appearance will take care of itself. Iowa���s play early in the 2013 campaign ��� the Hawkeyes are off to their best start since 2009 ��� has only reaffirmed its goal of winning the league title. ���It has confirmed our thoughts that the team is right on track,��� said Looper, now in her third season. ���As a staff, that was our goal when we came in and my goal when I was hired, to compete for a championship within three years. Last year, we came close. This year, that is our expectation. ���It has been the player���s expectation. As coaches, we like to put a lot in front of them, but if they do not buy in, it is hard. Them taking that ownership and saying this is what we want, it is easier to have the motivation to reach those expectations.��� Iowa opened its 2013 campaign in Houston, at the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic. The Hawkeyes finished with a 3-2 mark, earning wins over Texas State (5-4), host Houston (4-1), and No. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette (13-10). The win over the Cajuns marked Iowa���s first over a ranked opponent since it defeated No. 23 Oklahoma State last year, 5-3, on March 3. No. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette is the highest-ranked team the Hawkeyes have defeated since winning at No. 1 Michigan on April, 23, 2011. Iowa���s strong play continued in Denton, Texas, the next time out. Megan Blank and Kayla Massey were named to the 2013 Lovelace Invitational AllTournament Team after leading Iowa to the team title. Massey, one of two pitchers named to the squad, was the tournament MVP, and Blank was a unanimous selection. The Hawkeyes opened with victories over Dayton (3-0) and Oklahoma State (3-1, 8 innings) on Feb. 15. Iowa continued its winnings ways on Feb. 16, downing Nebraska-Omaha (2-1) and host North Texas (4-1), before dropping a 4-3 decision to Oklahoma State in the finale. The Hawkeyes and Mavericks both finished 4-1, but Iowa captured the title by way of its head-tohead victory over Nebraska-Omaha. 25

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