University of Iowa freshman pinch-hitter Diane Davis needed just one pitch to drop a single over NIU shortstop Lori Reimer’s head scoring the winning run for Iowa’s 3-2 victory over the Huskies in the final game of the Iowa Hawkeye Fall Invitational.

After Iowa tied NIU 2-2 on a seventh inning Karin Wick solo home run, Davis came to bat in the first extra inning with runners at second and third, and two outs on the scoreboard.

“We had to come back in the game after Iowa scored in the bottom of the first,” NIU coach Dee Abrahamson said. “I felt we played good pressure defense, but didn’t hit particularly well in the championship game.”

NIU managed only three hits—all singles—to Iowa’s 10, and scored its two runs in the sixth inning. Stacey Paller opened the sixth with a single and moved to third base when Hawkeye pitcher Teri McFarland walked Jean Leahy and Lisa Gilfoy loading the bases with two outs. Freshman Mary Borem’s baseline drive caromed off the Iowa third baseman’s glove allowing Paller and Leahy to score.

NIU advanced to the championship game after beating Grandview College 6-2 in Sunday’s semi-final game. Gilfoy hit a three-run two-out home run to begin the NIU six-run fifth inning. Reimer followed with a triple. The Huskies scored wins over University of Northern Iowa (3-1) and Grandview (10-2) while losing 4-2 to Iowa in Saturday’s preliminary games.

The Huskies close their fall exhibition season 11-9. The fall schedule included a third-place finish in the Coors Light National Invitational Championships, runner-up at Iowa and first-place at the Illinois Central Classic.