Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — February | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | B1G/ACC Challenge
THIS WEEK
This week, the University of Iowa softball team heads to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa faces Boston College on Friday before playing Boston College and Georgia Tech on Saturday. Iowa wraps up the weekend on Sunday against Georgia Tech for the second time.
STARTING RIGHT
- The Hawkeyes returned from Conway, South Carolina, 4-1, on the season after downing Coastal Carolina, Campbell, East Carolina, and Virginia Tech at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic.
- Iowa’s 4-1 start is the team’s best start since 2008 when Iowa also opened 4-1. That team went on to win 42 games and hosted an NCAA Regional.
RUTHER IS THE REAL DEAL
- Junior Mia Ruther joined the Hawkeyes after two seasons at Des Moines Area Community College and showed why she was a NJCAA First-Team All-American.
- Ruther led Iowa at the plate, going 8-15 (.533) with an RBI and a stolen base in five games.
- Ruther played the hero in Iowa’s final game against Virginia Tech, recording a walk-off single to third in the bottom of the eighth inning to score freshman Taylor Ryan.
- Ruther leads all Iowa players with eight hits.
WELCOME BACK LAUREN!
- Junior Lauren Shaw returned to the circle for the first time in 641 days.
- Shaw made four appearances with two starts against Virginia Tech and Campbell.
- The LaGrange, Ohio, native tallied 15.2 innings of work with 16 strikeouts.
- Shaw earned wins against East Carolina, Campbell, and Virginia Tech in a relief effort.
BURNS BECOMING FRESHMAN TO WATCH
- Freshman Kalena Burns is beginning her case for B1G Freshman of the Year immediately.
- Burns began her Hawkeye career with a three-run homerun against East Carolina in the first inning.
- Burns continued to display her hitting prowess, adding a double and two RBIs against Campbell and a three-hit effort against Coastal Carolina.
- Burns leads Iowa with a .625 slugging percentage through five games.
POISED FOR A BIG YEAR?
- Renee-Gillispie-coached teams have improved an average of 12 wins in its second season under Gillispie.
- The biggest turnaround came during Gillispie’s tenure at Texas Tech where the team improved 30 games from year one to year two.
